Everyone deserves to live somewhere warm, comfortable and, more than anything else, safe. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Rising energy costs, poorly insulated homes, and the current economic climate here in the UK means that many of its residents cannot afford to sufficiently heat their homes.
Luckily, though, help is available to those who need it: there are several government-funded eco heating grants designed to assist low-income, fuel poor and/or vulnerable households with improving their living conditions. If you’re worried about how you’re going to heat your home this winter and want to find out more about the funding available to you, keep reading. Direct Savings can help!
What is ECO3 funding?
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme, now in its third incarnation, helps low-income, fuel poor, and/or vulnerable households to cut their energy costs through home improvements. The energy efficiency measures that can be installed under ECO3 include internal and external wall insulation systems, loft insulation, heating systems, and new boilers. Other measures may qualify, subject to review by Ofgem and other relevant parties.
ECO3 is a government-led energy efficiency scheme which, with the support of both medium-sized and larger energy companies, aims to tackle fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions throughout the UK. Each of the obligated energy suppliers must meet a target, based on their share of the domestic energy market, to ensure they are doing their bit to help - these are tracked in monthly Ofgem reports.
The scheme is currently only in operation until April 2022, so don’t hesitate to take further action if you think you’re eligible! Direct Savings have helped thousands of households across the UK. You are in good hands!
Direct Savings can also assist with the installation of most of the energy efficiency measures covered by ECO3. Our highly skilled technicians will be happy to install various insulation systems and gas heating, as well as providing storage heaters and performing cavity wall extractions where necessary. Talk to our team today for more information about our installation services. What are the eligibility criteria? Certain eligibility criteria must be met in order to qualify for the ECO3 scheme. There are plenty of online tools available to help you check your eligibility, so no need to worry - head over to the Do I Qualify page to read more. The scheme is open to those living in either privately-owned homes, rented accommodation, and social housing - particularly if your property has an EPC (energy performance certificate) rating of E, F, or G. If you are in a rented property, we will require your landlord’s permission to carry out ECO3 measures. This is normally granted using a LLPF, otherwise known as a landlord permission form.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that some home improvement measures are usually only entitled to those who own their home, for example replacements for broken gas or oil boilers and broken electric storage heaters. That said, crucial energy efficiency measures are available to all who qualify, including insulation and first-time central heating. The main requirement for qualifying for the ECO3 scheme is receiving certain benefits from the state. You may be eligible for the scheme if someone in your household is in receipt of any of these benefits:
● Armed Forces Independence Payment ● Attendance Allowance ● Carer’s Allowance ● Child Benefit ● Child Tax Credits ● Constant Attendance Allowance
● Disability Living Allowance ● Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) ● Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) ● Income Support ● Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit ● Pension Credit ● Personal Independence Payment ● Severe Disablement Allowance ● War Pension Mobility Supplement ● Working Tax Credits ● Universal Credit The ECO3 scheme no longer has income thresholds or requirements in order to access funding, so if you qualify for any of the above benefit schemes, you’ll automatically be entitled to the ECO3 grant.
I don’t receive benefits. How can the ECO3 flexible eligibility scheme help me?
If you’re not eligible according to the usual criteria, we have funding in many council areas which qualify under the Local Authority Flexible Eligibility (LA Flex) scheme.
The ECO3 scheme is also available to any household deemed low-income, fuel poor, and/or vulnerable by their local council. This means that, if you don't claim benefits but you have high fuel costs, are older than 65, are pregnant, have young children, or have a health condition, you may still be able to access the ECO3 funding.
We recommend you contact a member of our team to discuss your eligibility, even if you don’t receive benefits - you never know, you might be covered by the LA Flex scheme.
How do I go about securing funding?
Fill out one our contact forms
If you do meet the eligibility criteria, we’ll be in contact and arrange to carry out a free, no-obligation survey - this is so we know exactly what home improvement measures you’d benefit from.
Your brand new energy saving measures will be installed in due course, so long as you (and possibly your landlord) are happy with our proposed ideas.
That’s it - time for you to enjoy your warm, comfy home! And let’s not forget the savings on your energy bills.
Not on a benefit? Don't qualify for LA FLEX? Don't worry, we can still help!
Contact us today! www.directsavings.org.uk