The subject of global warming has become less controversial over the years with 97% of climate experts agreeing on the subject. There are lots of ways each of us can reduce our individual carbon footprints through changing our habits, whether that be changing the way we drive or recycling waste and unwanted products. Many people also see the value of changing certain parts of their home to help the environment too. The problem is changes such as solar paneling or insulation can be expensive. However, there may be some government-funded schemes that you qualify for that you aren’t aware of. Here’s how you could fund your home’s eco upgrades.

Solar Panels

Solar panels are one of the most controversial change you can make to your home. The look they give to a home after the installation has divided opinions. However, by the year 2020, it’s expected that around ten million homes the UK will have solar panelling of some kind. That would mean that as much as 40% of our electricity usage could be powered through solar power. Many people who decide to pursue solar panels are helped with the advent of the feed-in tariff. Feed-in tariffs – where you are paid for any electricity you generate (even that which you use yourself) as well as for the surplus electricity that gets exported to the grid – are common across the EU and the UK is no different. Solar panel providors such as www.markgroup.co.uk can get you connected to the feed-in tariff as soon as they’ve installed your new system.

Insulation

Heat will always spread from a warm area to a cold one. This means that in winter you will lose your home’s heat to the outside must quicker than normal. Whether or not your home uses solid walls or more modern cavity walls, you could be seeing around a third of your household heat escaping because of poor insulation. Similarly, heat naturally rises so insulating your roof or loft should be an inaugural change if you are serious about reducing your CO2 emissions. If you currently have no insulation at all, you could be losing up to half of all the heat you generate. Many individuals – especially those who receive benefits such as income support, pension credit, or child tax credit – qualify through the government’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme. First introduced in January 2013, ECO aims to reduce the UK’s energy consumption by supporting those who live in or at risk of fuel poverty. The UK government spends an estimated £1.3 billion every year in funding energy efficiency improvements for households.

Remember that it’s in the government’s interest to help you with these issues. Take a look here to find out if you qualify in any way for the ECO programme.