It sounds too good to be true, but…
If you’re a homeowner, private renter or landlord, you can have your home or rental property significantly upgraded (to the tune of tens of thousands of pounds in some cases) with the latest renewable energy products, heating and insulation measures.
All without spending a penny of your hard-earned money!
That’s right…it will cost you nothing.
What is the ECO4 Scheme?
Launched in 2013, ECO stands for Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and creates a legal obligation for the big energy providers in the UK to improve the energy efficiency of households across the country
Funding for the ECO scheme actually comes from the energy companies and not the government; and they are fuming being forced to contribute like this…
To the tune of billions of pounds
The current ECO4 four-year scheme is worth £1 billion a year and will run from April 2022 to March 2026, and this presents a great opportunity for low income and vulnerable households, and those living in homes with the least energy efficiency, to receive energy saving measures for free.
There is more good news for households with the new scheme offering further support for those on low income but not receiving benefits through the expansion of the Local Authority Flexible Obligation (LA Flex) – see below for further details.
THIS IS FANTASTIC NEWS FOR THESE HOUSEHOLDS AND MEANS THEY WILL SEE EVEN GREATER REDUCTION IN THEIR ENERGY BILLS THROUGH BETTER ENERGY EFFICIENCY.
Insulation and Heating Measures Available Under ECO4
Here at UK Consumer Watch, we can help you access funding and providers for the insulation and heating measures listed below:
- Air source heat pumps (ASHP)
- Gas boiler upgrades (for non-condensing and back boilers)
- Electric storage heating (ESH) upgrades
- External and internal wall insulation for solid walls
- First-time central heating (FTCH)
- Cavity wall insulation
- Flat roof insulation
- Loft insulation
- Non-condensing boiler upgrades
- Room in roof insulation
- Solar panels
What are the Main Obligations?
The ECO policy is entirely formed from one obligation – the Home Heating Cost Reduction Obligation (HHCRO).
Please get in touch to see if you are eligible.
What is the Eligibility Criteria for ECO4?
People who are eligible for ECO4 must meet the following criteria: –
- Property must be in EPC bands D, E, F and G for Homeowners
- Property must be in EPC bands E, F and G for Private Tenants (and their Landlords)
Someone in the property must also be receiving one of the following ECO4 qualifying benefits: –
- Income based Jobseekers allowance (JSA)
- Income related Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support (IS)
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Working Tax Credit (WTC)
- Child Tax Credits (CTC)
- Universal Credit (UC)
- Housing Benefit (new eligible benefit under ECO4)
- Pension Credit Savings Credit (new eligible benefit under ECO4)
Support for Low Income Households
It is important to understand that the ECO4 scheme is primarily a way for the government to alleviate fuel poverty by supporting those households with access to funding to reduce their energy bills whilst also reducing carbon emissions.
Typically, if you spend more than 10% of your income on energy bills, this is classified as being in fuel poverty. A new important feature of ECO4 is a properties EPC rating along with other funding routes based on low income or poor health. Because of this there are numerous ways to access ECO4 funding so have a look at the below and see any of these apply to you: –
Firstly, you must meet one of the following EPC requirements: –
- You are a homeowner with EPC rating D, E, F or G
- You are private renter with EPC rating E, F or G
You then need to meet one of the following criteria, if you or anyone in your household do not receive any of the benefits listed above: –
- Your total household income is below £31,000
- A householder receives a Council Tax rebate (rebates based on low income only, excludes single person rebates)
- A householder is vulnerable to living in a cold home
- A householder is referred under a Local Authority run scheme which aims to support low income and vulnerable households
- A householder receives free school meals due to low income
- Household identified as struggling with sustained debt on utility bills and mortgage payments and has been referred to the Local Authority for support by Citizens Advice, their energy supplier or from their mortgage lender.
If any of these apply to you then please get in touch with us below to see how we can help access ECO4 funding which will reduce your energy bills, make your home warmer and reduce its impact on the environment.