KEEPING YOUR HOME
WARM AND YOUR ENERGY BILLS LOW.
The Energy Company Obligation (Eco) Is A Government Energy Eciency Scheme.
That aims to provide households with a grant to cover or contribute towards the cost of their home efficiency improvements.
ENERGY COMPANY OBLIGATION (ECO)
WHAT IS IT?
THE SCHEME
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a government scheme aimed at helping those struggling with their energy bills. The government initiative encourages companies to reduce their carbon emissions and allows the UK to meet its carbon reduction targets.
THE SUPPLIERS
Energy suppliers deliver lifetime savings to households who may require help with their bills—offering sustainable energy solutions across England, Scotland and Wales.
THE IMPACT
The government scheme was launched in 2013. According to figures, over 3.1 million measures have been installed in over 2.3 million homes.
Find out if we can improve the energy efficiency of your home today.
THE SCHEME
WHAT IS ECO4?
ECO4 is the current phase of the Energy Company Obligation scheme. This phase will run for four years, from 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2026.
The primary goal of ECO4 is to assist vulnerable households living in properties with low EPC ratings. One course used to determine these households is ‘ECO4 Flexibility’ (ECO4 Flex). Under ECO4 Flex, a participating Local Authority (LA) can refer to private tenure households that it considers to be living in fuel poverty or on a low income and vulnerable to the effects of living in a cold home.
Find out if we can improve the energy efficiency of your home today.
WHAT MAKES YOU ELIGIBLE
QUALIFYING BENEFITS
We all know energy prices can vary due to our lifestyles/activities.
Complete List Of Proposed Eligible Benefits Which Qualify Under ECO4:
INCOME-BASED JOBSEEKERS ALLOWANCE (JSA)
PENSION CREDIT GUARANTEE CREDIT
UNIVERSAL CREDIT (UC)
INCOME-RELATED EMPLOYMENT & SUPPORT ALLOWANCE (ESA)
WORKING TAX CREDIT (WTC)
HOUSING BENEFIT (NEW ELIGIBLE BENEFIT UNDER ECO4)
INCOME SUPPORT (IS)
CHILD TAX CREDITS (CTC)
PENSION CREDIT SAVINGS CREDIT (NEW ELIGIBLE BENEFIT UNDER ECO4)
Think you are eligible for the ECO Scheme?
Non-means-tested benefits that were previously eligible under ECO3, which would no longer qualify under ECO4.
ECO3 qualifying non-means-tested benefits:
DISABILITY LIVING ALLOWANCE (DLA)
CARER’S ALLOWANCE
WAR PENSIONS MOBILITY SUPPLEMENT
PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE PAYMENT (PIP)
SEVERE DISABLEMENT ALLOWANCE
CONSTANT ATTENDANCE ALLOWANCE
ATTENDANCE ALLOWANCE
INDUSTRIAL INJURIES DISABLEMENT BENEFIT
ARMED FORCES INDEPENDENCE PAYMENT
Think you are eligible for the ECO Scheme?
ECO4 Child Benefit income threshold:
The figures in the table below are taken from the ECO3 thresholds and inflated to 2022 figures, rounded to the nearest £100.
TYPE OF CLAIMANT
Think you are eligible for the ECO Scheme?
Changes to the number of measures to be installed under Local Authority Flexible Energy:
ECO3
ECO4
LA FLEX SCHEME
ENERGY COMPANIES WERE ALLOWED TO USE A MAXIMUM OF 25% OF THEIR OBLIGATION THROUGH LOCAL AUTHORITY FLEXIBLE ENERGY RULES (LAFLEX). LOCAL AUTHORITY FLEXIBLE ENERGY WILL ENABLE COUNCILS TO SET THEIR ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.
AS PART OF THE CHANGES PROPOSED FOR ECO4, SUPPLIERS CAN DELIVER UP TO 50% OF THEIR OBLIGATION THROUGH LOCAL AUTHORITY FLEXIBLE ENERGY (DOUBLE THE PREVIOUSLY ALLOWABLE).
ECO3
ENERGY COMPANIES WERE ALLOWED TO USE A MAXIMUM OF 25% OF THEIR OBLIGATION THROUGH LOCAL AUTHORITY FLEXIBLE ENERGY RULES (LAFLEX). LOCAL AUTHORITY FLEXIBLE ENERGY WILL ENABLE COUNCILS TO SET THEIR ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.
ECO4
AS PART OF THE CHANGES PROPOSED FOR ECO4, SUPPLIERS CAN DELIVER UP TO 50% OF THEIR OBLIGATION THROUGH LOCAL AUTHORITY FLEXIBLE ENERGY (DOUBLE THE PREVIOUSLY ALLOWABLE).
LA FLEX SCHEME
Think you are eligible for the ECO Scheme?
ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE
EPC IMPROVEMENT REQUIREMENTS
Think you are eligible for this grant?
After measures have been installed, there are additional requirements for minimum increases in the energy-efficiency rating of properties.
The idea is that this approach will increase the number of grants and the energy-efficiency savings achieved. The Government is also proposing that a minimum of band E, F and G homes be upgraded to include the most inefficient homes.
ECO3 TO ECO4
BOILER GRANTS REMOVAL
Almost 134,000 boilers were installed under ECO3, whereas under ECO4, boilers will be limited to 5,000.
Additional rules around the types of boilers qualify, meaning that only some households will be eligible for boiler grants under the new rules.
Have any questions about this grant?
KEEP UP TO DATE WITH
ALL THINGS ECO
Check out our latest blogs and articles all about the ECO scheme. You can keep posted about any updates and changes to the scheme.
