The ECO4 scheme is the final part of an ongoing government scheme to support low-income households and to create more energy efficient homes. As of April 2022 it replaced its previous iteration with the aim of improving the energy efficiency of more UK households.
Here is everything you need to know about this scheme, including who it’s available to, what requirements it has, and what financial support it can offer you if you meet these requirements.
What Is the ECO4 Scheme?
The ECO4 scheme offers a number of different measures to help make homes more energy efficient, including insulation, boiler replacement, and draught-proofing.
This policy takes on the task of making homes more energy-efficient, reducing household emissions, and supporting low-income residents via local authorities. To sum it up, ECO is about saving energy.
This program seeks to provide support to vulnerable homes and property holders by channeling referrals through local authorities. It is also subject to primary legislation industrial strategy and uses a whole house approach to improve heating systems to reduce fuel poverty.
Since 2013 the primary legislation listing minimum energy efficiency requirements has helped over 2.3 million homes. The previous phase of the ECO3 scheme version was replaced by the ECO4 scheme version in April 2022.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for the scheme, you must be a low-income householder or be in receipt of certain benefits. You must also own your own home or have permission from your landlord to carry out the work.
If you are a landlord and your tenant receives benefits, it would benefit you to persuade them to fill out an application for this grant and installing electric storage heaters or insulation, such as free cavity wall insulation or loft insulation grant.
If you do not receive benefits, but your home is still un-insulated, you may be eligible for the scheme that some councils are able to participate in under the flexible eligibility (LAFlex) program.
How To Get Funding?
The ECO4 scheme offers funding to low-income households to make their homes more energy efficient. The scheme is administered by local authorities, and you can apply for funding through your local authority’s website. Alternatively – and to save you time – you can get in touch with our expert team and we will let you know if you’re eligible.
You must be a low-income household and your home must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of band D or below. There are different minimum requirements for benefiting from ECO4 funds than there were previously. The installation of energy efficiency equipment in low income and vulnerable homes is meant to meet the carbon saving obligation of energy suppliers.
You can find out more about eligibility and funding on our ECO4 page.
How Much Will I Save?
Unlike those in this energy efficiency obligation before it, the ECO 4 grant is intended to be available to more households and more fuel poor households. The next phase of this programme improved its scoring methodology to reach less energy efficient homes and properties of vulnerable and fuel poor homeowners first and receive greater support.
The more efficient the solution, the more money you can save. For example, installing a new boiler means you can save up to £365 a year.