INCA Report Urges Government to Prioritize Fabric Improvements in Energy Efficiency Schemes
Abandoning or deprioritizing fabric improvements in government energy efficiency schemes in response to poor quality installations would be a mistake, according to a new report from INCA, the trade body representing the external wall insulation industry.
The report, released on Monday September 29, 2025, highlights the importance of properly insulating properties to not only reduce carbon emissions associated with heating but also to improve the overall health of residents and lower their energy bills. The report argues that tackling fuel poverty and unhealthy homes alongside carbon emissions will have significant social and economic benefits, worth billions of pounds over the coming decades.
INCA is calling on government ministers to prioritize high-quality installations and provide long-term certainty for the industry to invest in the skills and materials needed to upgrade Britain’s unhealthy and poor quality housing stock. This can be achieved through initiatives such as the forthcoming Warm Homes Plan, revised Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards, and the next iteration of the ECO scheme.
John Sparrow, Executive Director of INCA, stated, “When designing schemes which support retrofit, particularly for low income households, government should be considering a holistic approach which will have the widest impact and the largest payback. This means continuing to prioritize investment in fabric upgrades alongside clean heating.”
The report also addresses concerns about the quality of recent work done under the ECO4 scheme and emphasizes the need for reputable manufacturers and installers. INCA members, who are not among the companies sanctioned for poor quality work, believe that their stringent membership requirements can help drive up standards across the industry.
The full INCA report, titled “Why Fabric First Is Right,” can be found on their website. For further information, please contact INCA at info@inca-ltd.org.uk or by phone at 0330 124 6585.
Notes to Editors:
In June 2025, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Demonstration of Energy Efficiency Potential (DEEP) study concluded that “SWI is therefore the most impactful measure and saves more energy than all other measures combined.”
INCA is the recognized trade association for the External Wall Insulation (EWI) industry, representing major system designers, a nationwide network of specialist installers, and key component suppliers and service providers to the EWI industry.
