Nineteen million UK homes still sit below EPC band C, each leaking heat and money. A new scheme backed by B&Q and Currys promises to save a typical household £110 a year on energy bills. That figure is not a government grant or a tax break. It is a retail-led push to upgrade Britain’s draughtiest homes through discounted insulation, smart controls, and efficient appliances.
As reported by Chronicle Live, the scheme is part of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) framework, but with a twist: households buy the upgrades directly from retailers, not through an energy supplier. The retailers then claim the subsidy from the obligated energy companies. It is a model that cuts out the middleman, in theory.
Who qualifies, and who doesn’t
Eligibility follows the familiar ECO pattern: homes with EPC ratings D, E, F, or G, and households on certain benefits or low incomes. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has not published the full list, but previous iterations included Universal Credit, Pension Credit, and Child Tax Credit. The scheme is expected to run until March 2027, though officials have not confirmed when applications open.
The catch is scale. B&Q and Currys are large retailers, but their reach does not cover every postcode. Rural homes, off-gas-grid properties, and flats in converted buildings often fall through the cracks. The £110 saving also assumes a typical 3-bed semi using 12,000 kWh of gas per year, a figure that varies wildly with house type and location.
What it costs a typical 3-bed semi
The £110 saving is not upfront cash. It is the annual reduction in energy bills after installing the measures. A typical household might spend £200 on loft insulation (top-up from 100mm to 270mm) and £150 on a smart thermostat. The scheme covers part of that cost, typically 50% to 75%, depending on the product and supplier. The homeowner pays the rest.
For a family on a tight budget, the upfront cost could still be a barrier. Energy Saving Trust data shows that cavity wall insulation costs around £500-£1,000 for a semi-detached house, even with a subsidy. The scheme does not cover full heat pump installations or solar panels, those remain under separate programmes like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and the Smart Export Guarantee.
EPC impact, and what it means for your sale
Improving from an EPC band E to D can add roughly 5% to a property’s value, according to Nationwide data. The £110 annual saving is modest, but the EPC uplift is the real prize. Homes rated C or above command higher sale prices and lower mortgage rates under the new lender requirements coming in 2025.
The scheme is not a silver bullet. But for the millions of households stuck in cold, expensive homes, it is a rare bit of retail pragmatism. The government’s own figures show that 55% of homes in the lowest EPC bands are occupied by people in fuel poverty. This scheme will not end that, but it is a start.
Households on standard variable tariffs can check eligibility through the B&Q or Currys websites from 1 November. Applications close on 31 March 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
Eligible households can apply through the B&Q or Currys websites from 1 November. You will need to provide proof of benefits or income, and an EPC certificate showing your current rating.
The scheme covers loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, smart thermostats, and energy-efficient appliances. It does not cover heat pumps, solar panels, or full boiler replacements.
