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Energy Company Obligation (ECO) Government Scheme: What Is It & Do You Qualify for Free Insulation?
Jub Systems • February 8, 2023
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a government scheme that offers grant funding to support energy-inefficient homes, which in turn aims to reduce fuel poverty and carbon emissions.
In this blog article, we’ll take you through all the details you need to know about the ECO funding scheme, what are the differences between ECO4, ECO+ and ECO4 Flex and do you qualify for free insulation grants.
ECO: A Brief Overview
ECO was developed for energy suppliers to financially support households across the UK with the aim of boosting the property’s energy efficiency and EPC rating. There are three sets of insulation grants available under the Energy Company Obligation: ECO4, ECO+ and ECO4 Flex. Each grant has its specific eligibility criteria but all of them offer the main types of energy-efficiency measures. These include loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation and boiler replacement or repair.
Can I Get Free Insulation?
To qualify for the ECO insulation grants, you need to be the homeowner or have a signed document from your landlord granting you permission to apply. Eligibility criteria for each of the three grants vary and will depend on several factors.
Here are some of the factors that if you meet, you will most likely be eligible for the grant to insulate your home:
- If you receive the Warm Home Discount in the 'core' group, get eligible benefits and fit the income requirements
- Live in social housing that has an EPC rating of E or lower (check your energy performance certificate, ask your landlord or social housing association or get in touch with an approved installer to find out)
- You meet the criteria set by your Local Authority
These are only guidelines for the eligibility criteria, continue reading to find out about the specific criteria for each ECO government grant.
What is the difference between ECO4, ECO+ and ECO Flex?
All three government insulation grants have the same goal to help reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty, focusing the entire scheme to support low-income, vulnerable and fuel-poor households.
The differences between them come down to the application process, the measures offered under each government scheme and their individual eligibility criteria. Let’s start with the eligibility criteria for ECO4.
Are you eligible for ECO4?
ECO4 is available for properties with an EPC rating of E, F, or G and the occupants are on one of these benefits:
- Child Benefit*
- Pension Guarantee Credit
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Child Tax Credits
- Working Tax Credits
- Universal Credit (UC)
- Pension Credit Savings Credit
- Housing Benefit
| *New Child Benefit Income Thresholds | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type of Claimant | Number of Children or Qualifying Young Persons | |||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| Single | £19,900 | £24,800 | £29,600 | £34,500 |
| Couple | £27,500 | £32,300 | £37,200 | £42,000 |
Are you eligible for ECO+?
The Low-Income Group:
- Same benefits list as ECO4
- EPC bands G-D. Properties in bands E, F or G will need to demonstrate that the ECO4 minimum requirements cannot be met before they can receive a single measure under ECO+
- If the household is owner-occupied, the customer can have Heating Controls (Room stat, programmer, TRVS only) as a secondary measure alongside a primary insulation measure
- Private rented sector households can receive any insulation measure
The General group
- Council tax bands A-D (in England, different for Wales & Scotland) + starting EPC bands G-D
- If private rented, can only receive a higher cost insulation measure (i.e. not Loft Insulation or Cavity Wall Insulation)
Are you eligible for ECO4 Flex?
If you live in a private home (rented or owned) with an EPC rating of D or below and have a combined household income of £31,000 or less, then you are likely to be eligible for this scheme.
If you don’t meet these eligibility criteria, you can still access the government funding if you are living in a private home with a low energy efficiency rating and:
- you or a member of your household has a medical condition that makes you more vulnerable to cold
- you are over 65 or a member of your family is under the age of 5 or over 65
- a member of your household is in receipt of Council Tax Support
- a member of your household is in receipt of free school meals, due to low income
- you have been referred to the scheme by the council or by Citizen's Advice after being identified as struggling to pay your utility bills
What measures are included in ECO4, ECO+ and ECO Flex?
Currently, the energy-efficiency measures included under ECO4 and ECO4 Flex are the same and they include:
The measures offered under the ECO+ scheme are the following:
Applying for ECO funding
The process of applying for ECO funding incorporates multiple steps that can involve your energy company, your local council and an accredited installer. To make the application process quicker and more efficient, we highly recommend contacting an approved installer directly to check if they can carry out the work required and apply for the specific government funding scheme on your behalf.
You can also
get in touch with our JUB team at
info@jub.org.uk with any enquiries you may have and we will do our best to guide you through the ECO funding scheme.
In recent years, homeowners and builders have increasingly turned to external wall insulation (EWI) to enhance the energy efficiency and durability of solid-wall properties. Let's look at the many advantages of external home insulation.
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Introducing the Great British Insulation Scheme, previously known as ECO+, a government initiative aimed at helping households insulate their homes, improve energy efficiency and reduce energy bills. With the scheme already launched and set to run until March 2026, it's time to discover how this £1 billion programme can benefit households across the UK. In this blog post, we'll delve into the details of the scheme, its eligibility criteria and the range of energy-saving measures available. Benefits of the Great British Insulation Scheme The Great British Insulation Scheme aims to support approximately 300,000 households by providing financial assistance for home insulation. By participating in the scheme, households can save an estimated £300 to £400 per year on their energy bills. The focus is on helping those with the lowest incomes, while also extending support to households living in energy-inefficient homes with Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings of D or below, as well as those in lower Council Tax bands (A-D in England, A-E in Scotland and Wales). This inclusive approach ensures that more people, especially those struggling with high energy costs, can benefit from making their homes more energy efficient. The Aim of the Great British Insulation Scheme The Great British Insulation Scheme has a clear goal: to deliver single insulation measures to two main groups of customers. The first group consists of low-income individuals who do not meet the minimum requirements for ECO4 assistance. The scheme aims to provide them with valuable insulation measures to improve their living conditions. The second group includes households based on council tax band and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating, targeting a wider range of individuals who can benefit from energy-saving upgrades.
Welcome to our guide on external render repair and maintenance. Whether you have a JUB render and/or an external wall insulation system, proper maintenance is essential to ensure longevity and visual appeal. By following our step-by-step instructions, you can reduce the need for extensive render repairs in the future, saving you both time and money. Let's dive into the key steps for effective render repair and maintenance. Step 1: Thorough Cleaning and Primer Application Before starting any redecoration work, it's crucial to clean the external render thoroughly. Remove any visible dirt or dust from the surface, ensuring a clean and smooth base for the upcoming paint application. If necessary, treat the facade with JUB Fungi Wash to eliminate any fungal growth or contaminants. However, avoid using acid-based cleaners or solvents, as they can damage the external wall insulation system. To enhance the adhesion and durability of the new paint, we highly recommend applying an appropriate paint primer to the cleaned render. Step 2: Choosing the Correct Paint Choosing the correct paint is crucial for achieving a long-lasting and visually pleasing exterior finish. Take into account the type of render you have and consult our technical department at technical@jub.org.uk for guidance on the suitable paint product. Avoid using masonry paint that JUB Systems UK Limited hasn't advised to maintain warranties and prevent short-term maintenance cycles. Keep the original render's colour code on file for future reference to ensure accurate colour matching.
Why Silicone Render is the Best Choice for a Property’s Exterior: Benefits, Application & Aesthetics
When it comes to a property's exterior, making a lasting impression with a beautiful and durable finish is key. That's where silicone render comes in. As a high-performance external render, it offers a multitude of benefits that make it the best choice for homeowners and renderers seeking long-lasting and visually appealing results. Benefits of Silicone Render: Why Choose It? Silicone render stands out for its numerous advantages. Firstly, it provides exceptional weather resistance, making it perfect for even the harshest climates. It can endure heavy rain, extreme temperatures and strong winds without cracking or fading. This ensures that a property maintains its stunning appearance for years to come. Another significant benefit is its breathability. By allowing moisture to escape through the walls of a property, it prevents the build-up of dampness and condensation. This is especially crucial for older houses and buildings with potentially inadequate insulation. By opting for silicone render, you can improve a property's energy efficiency and reduce the risk of dampness and mould. Flexibility is also a key feature of silicone render, setting it apart from traditional render systems. While other renders can be brittle and prone to cracking, silicone render is designed to move naturally with the property's walls, minimising the likelihood of unsightly fissures over time.
The ECO4 scheme has been helping eligible households in the UK to access free insulation and energy efficiency upgrades to reduce energy costs and support sustainable living. However, not all households that need support with improving their homes are receiving income-related benefits. That's why the UK government introduced the ECO Flex scheme. Under ECO Flex, local authorities are provided with more funding to identify residents who would benefit from home upgrades, even if they don't meet the standard eligibility criteria for ECO4. With ECO Flex, households don't have to be on benefits to qualify for funding. ECO Flex Eligibility The eligibility criteria for ECO Flex is quite comprehensive. To qualify, your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating must be between E-G if you rent or D-G if you own your home. If your property is not currently on the EPC register, we can help assess it for you. You must also have a combined household income of less than £31,000. Alternatively, if you meet the EPC criteria, you can qualify for ECO Flex if you meet the following: Your home is within a specific postcode identified by your local council. You receive a council tax rebate (single-person occupancy excluded). You are identified as vulnerable to living in a cold home: someone in the home is pregnant, disabled or elderly, you have children under 5, or someone in the home has a medical condition. Your child receives free school meals. Your home is identified as being in debt to your energy provider. Another way to qualify is if you are identified by your GP as vulnerable to the cold and on a low income.
In an effort to reduce carbon emissions and increase properties’ EPC rating, the UK government has launched the ECO4 scheme, which aims to provide eligible households with free insulation and energy efficiency upgrades. Benefits of ECO4 The scheme is targeted at low-income households and those living in fuel poverty and is designed to help: Reduce Energy Bills: By providing eligible households with free insulation and energy efficiency upgrades, the scheme helps to reduce energy bills, making it easier for households to stay warm during the winter months. Improve Living Conditions: By installing insulation and energy efficiency measures, the scheme helps to make homes more comfortable, reduce noise levels and improve indoor air quality. Reduce Carbon Emissions: The scheme helps to reduce carbon emissions by promoting sustainable living and reducing energy consumption. This is an important step in creating a more sustainable future. Support Low-Income Households: The ECO4 scheme is designed to reduce the financial burden of heating and cooling a home and can improve the quality of life for those living in fuel poverty.
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a government scheme that offers grant funding to support energy-inefficient homes, which in turn aims to reduce fuel poverty and carbon emissions. In this blog article, we’ll take you through all the details you need to know about the ECO funding scheme, what are the differences between ECO4, ECO+ and ECO4 Flex and do you qualify for free insulation grants. ECO: A Brief Overview ECO was developed for energy suppliers to financially support households across the UK with the aim of boosting the property’s energy efficiency and EPC rating. There are three sets of insulation grants available under the Energy Company Obligation: ECO4, ECO+ and ECO4 Flex. Each grant has its specific eligibility criteria but all of them offer the main types of energy-efficiency measures. These include loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation and boiler replacement or repair. Can I Get Free Insulation? To qualify for the ECO insulation grants, you need to be the homeowner or have a signed document from your landlord granting you permission to apply. Eligibility criteria for each of the three grants vary and will depend on several factors. Here are some of the factors that if you meet, you will most likely be eligible for the grant to insulate your home: If you receive the Warm Home Discount in the 'core' group, get eligible benefits and fit the income requirements Live in social housing that has an EPC rating of E or lower (check your energy performance certificate, ask your landlord or social housing association or get in touch with an approved installer to find out ) You meet the criteria set by your Local Authority
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