ECO4 Scheme FAQs: Everything Tenants Need to Know
For tenants considering energy efficiency upgrades via the ECO4 scheme, there are many common questions that come up.
As experienced ECO4 installation providers, we’ve seen many of the common questions that get asked by potentially eligible participants. For example, “How long does it take to get approved?”, “What are the ECO4 scheme terms and conditions?”, “Do I have to pay?” - all valid questions that we can answer.
We’ve put together this list of frequently asked questions to help you on your way to energy efficiency.
What is the ECO4 Scheme?
The ECO4 scheme (also known as the Energy Company Obligation scheme) is a government initiative aimed at bringing energy-efficiency upgrades to eligible households that suffer from fuel poverty, high energy bills, and uncomfortable living situations.
While you might hear projects described as being funded by ‘an ECO4 grant’, ECO4 is actually not a grant scheme. Rather, it is an obligation placed on energy companies, meaning it is the energy companies who fund the projects in question and decide upon the level of funding being allocated. The ECO4 scheme is currently running until 31st March 2026, where it will potentially be replaced by the ECO5 scheme.
To find out more about the ECO4 scheme for tenants, read our in-depth article here.
How Much Does it Cost?
It does not cost a penny!
ECO4 installations, both the measures and the installation time, are fully paid for by the funding allocated by obligated energy companies.
The only thing it will cost you? The time it takes to find out if you’re eligible.
Can I Benefit?
In short, maybe! It depends if you are eligible.
The ECO4 scheme has stringent criteria on who is eligible for funding. It focuses on improving the least energy-efficient homes across the UK, alongside those households who suffer from fuel poverty, and this is only available for properties in bands D to G.
If you are eligible, you’ll most likely benefit from a whole-house retrofit, meaning multiple upgrades will be installed, such as wall insulation, new central heating systems, and even solar panels. This is in contrast to other schemes, which can offer funding for one specific installation.
What Upgrades Could Be Installed in My Property?
There is a wide variety of upgrades that could be installed by energy efficiency solutions providers as part of the ECO4 scheme, such as:
- Internal Wall Insulation
- Room in Roof Insulation
- Under Floor Insulation
- Cavity Wall Insulation
- External Wall Insulation
- Boilers and Central Heating
- Electric Storage Heaters
- Electric Vehicle Charging Points
- Solar PV
- Air Source Heat Pumps
To explore these upgrades in detail, explore our recent guide.
As a Tenant, Do I Need My Landlord’s Consent?
Yes - You do need to gain the consent of your landlord to be able to receive ECO4 energy efficiency upgrades, should you have been found eligible for those upgrades. Both energy companies and installation providers may request evidence that your landlord’s permission has been obtained.
For more information, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has a useful guide covering the process of preparing an energy efficiency consent request, as well as your rights as a tenant within the process. Find it here.
Where Do I Show My Landlord’s Consent?
This evidence will be shown in the ECO4 Eligibility Requirements Form, which will show that the property is owned by a private landlord. In some circumstances, more evidence may be required.
Is ECO4 the Only Scheme Available?
No - there are many more schemes available which help you to deal with your energy bills, and they all have their own objectives and processes, such as the Warm Home Discount (WHD), the Great British Insulation Scheme, the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF), and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS).
One thing to note, however, is that ECO4 funding must not be sought alongside funding from these other schemes. Any funding and subsequent installation received from a separate scheme must be completed either before the start of the ECO4 project or after it has been completed.
Does ECO Support Come from My Energy Supplier?
It might, but it does not have to. Any supplier who is obligated to provide funding under the ECO4 scheme can provide funding for any premises in England, Wales, and Scotland. The energy suppliers who are obligated are:
- British Gas
- E (Gas and Electricity)
- E.ON Energy
- Ecotricity
- EDF Energy
- ESB Energy
- Foxglove Energy
- Scottish Power
- Shell Energy
- Octopus Energy
- Ovo Energy
- Utility Warehouse
- Utilita
What ECO4 Scheme Terms and Conditions Are There?
The ECO4 scheme terms that you should be aware of if you are a tenant are the ones regarding eligibility. For example, tenants who are designated as part of the Help to Heat Group (HTHG) (low-income and vulnerable parties) and who live in a property with an initial energy efficiency rating of E, F, and G are eligible to receive ECO4 funding and subsequent installations. The minimum requirement for all work carried out must bring the property in question up to an energy efficiency rating of at least C.
As you can see, the ECO4 scheme terms are generous for tenants and stringent for those supplying the funding. This is all to make sure that the most vulnerable people in our communities are able to access energy efficiency upgrades and continue to benefit from their use.
Please explore our article detailing the ECO4 process for tenants and a guide on eligibility here.
For those looking for the technical specifications of the ECO4 scheme, you can access Ofgem’s ECO4 Guidance: Delivery document, which includes significant explanations for multiple ECO4 use cases.
What Documents Should I Receive From Installers As Part of the ECO4 Process?
You will receive several documents relating to and laying out the installation process:
- Documents that detail work arrangements (such as a contract)
- ECO4 Eligibility Requirements Form: This helps suppliers (those funding) assess the eligibility of your property for funding.
- ECO4 Privacy Notice: This ensures the person living at the property knows how their information is being used, and who the information will be shared with.
- ECO4 Post Installation Customer and Installer Declaration: The installer will ask you to sign the project is fully installed and complete. Remember to keep a copy of this document, and make sure you only sign if the works are completed to your satisfaction.
Are Guarantees Included for the Installations?
There are multiple guarantees that must come alongside any installation that protect you from future issues.
As of January 1st 2020, all ECO installations installed within a project by a TrustMark registered provider (like us!) must hold a guarantee of at least two years. If you’re working with a trusted energy efficiency solutions provider, you can expect any of the following guarantees:
- Any insulation must hold an appropriate guarantee of at least 25 years, otherwise known as an ‘ECO appropriate guarantee’.
- As of January 1st 2020, underfloor insulation and room-in-roof insulation require additional financial protection.
- Installations must have a manufacturer or an installer guarantee.
- Electric storage heaters and boilers installed or upgraded through ECO4 funding must have a warranty of at least two years, provided by the installer.
- New boilers must be registered by the engineer responsible to your local authority. After this, you should receive a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate. Please keep this.
- If you do not receive this certificate, get in touch with your installer. - Electric storage heaters and boilers repaired through ECO4 funding must have a warranty of at least one year.
- As of January 2st 2020, all other energy efficiency upgrades installed by a Trustmark registered business, such as solar PV or EV charge points, must have a guarantee of at least two years.
If you’ve read through this article and still have questions on topics such as potential upgrades, timescales, ECO4 scheme terms, or installer obligations, why not get in touch?
Check Your Eligibility in 60 Seconds Today
If you’re suffering from fuel poverty, have a cold home in the wintertime, or have a family member with a medical issue exacerbated by the cold, you could be eligible for ECO4 funding. Just a small moment of time will help us ascertain whether you’ll be able to make the most of this scheme.
Contact us today, and we will have our in-house qualified assessors evaluate your property to see what energy efficiency installations could be available for you.
