ECO4FLEX Scheme
The Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) is a UK Government energy efficiency scheme, administered by Ofgem (the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets). The main objective of ECO4 is to reduce fuel poverty by improving the least energy efficient housing stock occupied by low income, vulnerable and fuel poor households, this helping to meet the Government’s fuel poverty and net carbon zero commitments. Under ECO4 obligated suppliers are legally required to reduce heating costs for low income and vulnerable households by delivering energy efficiency and heating measures.
Supporting fuel poor homes and those most in need
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council is working with Energy Companies and Cardiff Capital Region (representing the ten local authorities of South East Wales) to support households in poorly insulated homes - making those households more energy efficient and helping lessen the impact of rising energy bills.
Working with our partners, we aim to draw government funding, to reduce or eliminate the cost of these energy efficiency upgrades.
As part of the national ECO4 scheme, EDF and other energy companies will be investing in energy efficiency community schemes to support ‘fuel poor’ homes and those households that include individuals with health conditions exacerbated by living in a cold home.
Apply now for free insulation and energy efficient upgrades
Through our partnership with CCR and EDF, we are encouraging applications for the ECO4 scheme, from households that:
Own or privately rent their homes and meet the following criteria: -
- Have an existing EPC on their home rated E or below and
- Receive welfare support, or
- Have a household income of below £31,000 or
- Have a qualifying health condition e.g., cardiovascular, respiratory, immunosuppressed or limited mobility.
- If you are unsure what your property’s EPC rating is currently registered as, please check on: https://www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate
For homes which are currently ‘off gas’ and heated by electric, solid fuel, LPG or oil - typical funded measures can include: -
- Cavity or Solid wall Insulation
- Loft insulation
- Room in Roof Insulation
- Solar PV installion
- Renewable Heating measures e.g., Air Source Heat Pumps
For homes which are currently heated by ‘gas’, the following criteria applies: -
- Your existing gas boiler must be a back boiler or a floor standing boiler
- Your existing gas boiler would typically be at least 18 years old
- Your existing boiler is a non-condensing boiler (has a hot water tank)
How to Apply
To find out if you qualify, you can contact EDF’s nominated ECO4 installer for this scheme - LD Eco Ltd by clicking on the web link here Apply for ECO | LD Eco Ltd and completing the survey. Please note that the Council does not accept applications directly from residents.
For full eligibility criteria please click here to access the Council’s published Statement of Intent (SoI).
The start of a longer journey to help with energy efficiency
Unfortunately, not every home or household will be suitable or eligible for funding support at this time.
The positive news is that this is the start of a longer-term plan with CCR, where different sources of funding or finance will be blended to encourage take up of energy efficiency measures, whilst prioritising help for fuel-poor households.
We’re also aware that some households may be elderly or vulnerable and will need additional support during the process of applying for the installation of funded energy efficiency measures in their home.
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council will ensure that EDF and its nominated installer LD Eco Ltd take every care when dealing with these households - including best practice safeguarding measures such as having a carer or relative on site.
The ECO4 and ECO Flex schemes will be running in Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council from 28 June 2023 to 31 March 2026.
If you accept energy efficiency measures under this scheme, please be aware that the contract will be between the homeowner and the contractor, and not Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council. The Council will accept no responsibility for any loss incurred or may be incurred under this particular scheme.
Qualification and the Declaration by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council do not guarantee a measure will be installed in your home, as the final decision of whether funding is available will be made by the installer and energy suppliers.
Privacy Notice Privacy Notice (Cym)
Statement of Intent Statement of intent (Cym)