TACKLE CARBON EMISSIONAND ENERGY BILLS
What is the government’s ECO Scheme and GBIS Scheme??
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a UK government energy efficiency scheme that obligates large and medium-sized energy suppliers to deliver energy-saving measures to households. Its primary goals are to reduce carbon emissions and alleviate fuel poverty by improving the energy efficiency of homes, particularly those occupied by low-income and vulnerable residents. ​
The current phase, known as ECO4, commenced on 1 April 2022 and is scheduled to run until 31 March 2026. This iteration focuses on enhancing the energy efficiency of homes with Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings between D and G. It emphasizes a comprehensive approach by encouraging the installation of multiple energy-saving measures per household, including insulation, solar panels, and renewable heating systems. ​
Eligibility for ECO4 primarily targets households receiving certain income-based benefits, tax credits, or pension credits. These include Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit, Universal Credit, and others. It’s important to note that disability benefits are no longer qualifying criteria under ECO4. ​
In addition to ECO4, the UK government has introduced the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS), which runs alongside ECO4. Launched on 25 July 2023, GBIS aims to further enhance energy efficiency by providing insulation measures to households, especially those in council tax bands A to E with EPC ratings of D or lower. This scheme is designed to help reduce energy bills and support the UK’s net-zero objectives. ​
Both schemes are administered by Ofgem, the UK’s energy regulator, ensuring that eligible households receive appropriate support to improve their home’s energy efficiency and reduce energy costs. ​
What energy efficiency measures can be installed with the ECO scheme:
- High heat retention (HRR) storage heaters
- New boiler
- Room in roof insulation
- Internal wall insulation
- Loft insulation
- External wall insulation
- Flat roof insulation
- Cavity Wall Insulation
- Air Source Heat Pump
- Solar PV
SAVE ON YOURÂ ENERGY BILLS
Heating a home can be costly for many families, especially in winter. Poor maintenance and insulation mean that households spend more than they should on energy bills and their carbon emissions continue to rise. Alarmingly, poorly insulated homes can lose up to a third of their heat through the roof, while faulty and inefficient heating systems are costly to run, so energy bills are costing even more.
Whether you need a new boiler, heating system upgrade, or home insulation, you can pull back that vast amount of wasted energy, and heat your home at a fraction of the cost by using the ECO grant scheme to improve your home’s thermal performance.
Our heating system installers are proud members of the Home Insulation & Energy Systems Contractors Scheme (HIES), a consumer protection organisation. This means we only install products fit for purpose and that comes with comprehensive guarantees to provide customers with protection and peace of mind.
The ECO scheme is free to apply for and we’ve helped thousands of happy customers secure free ECO grants. Get in touch with a member of our team to find out if you could be eligible.
OPAL ENERGY
Find out if you’re eligible for an ECO grant.
Click the button below to complete the eligibility checker or contact us today.
APPLY FOR GRANT TODAY
Please fill out this simple Contact Form, and one of our Admin Team will shortly be in touch with you.