Green Homes Grant #2: Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is the main scheme for supporting energy efficiency improvements including insulation and some heating improvements in low income and vulnerable households.
Unlike other schemes, ECO is not a government grant but an obligation the government placed on the largest energy suppliers to support households install energy improvements. This means that it isn’t possible to reclaim money back for any measures you may have installed yourself.
Contents
- Who can benefit?
- What improvements can I get help with?
- Can I get improvements for free?
- How do I get it?
1. Who can benefit?
You may qualify for ECO if you claim certain benefits and meet other requirements.
In some cases you may be able to get help even if you’re not receiving any benefits.
Your qualification can be checked through a questionnaire here: https://www.simpleenergyadvice.org.uk/grant-eligibility/questionnaire
2. What improvements can I get help with?
There is a long list of improvements that energy companies could support to meet their ECO targets but, in practice, most companies concentrate on cavity wall insulation and loft insulation. It is also possible to get help with replacing an inefficient boiler or other heating system.
3. Can I get improvements for free?
The energy company may offer to fit the improvement for free, or they may ask you to pay some of the cost yourself. You can decide if you want to go ahead with the improvement after an assessment which is free.
4. How do I get it?
If you think you might qualify for ECO assistance, get in touch with ECO Suppliers in the UK. The main ones are:
- British Gas: https://www.britishgas.co.uk/
- Bulb: https://bulb.co.uk/
- E: https://www.e.org/
- EON: https://www.eonenergy.com/
- EDF: https://www.edfenergy.com/
- octopus energy:https://octopus.energy/