Action on Energy grants for low-income households
Through our Action on Energy partnership with other councils, we apply for and administer government grants to help low-income households install energy-efficiency improvements and low-carbon heating.
Grants are available for homeowners and private landlords.
To find out more or to explore how to improve the energy efficiency of your home visit our new Action on Energy website (external link)
Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4 Flex)
Free energy efficiency measures for eligible households.
What is GBIS and ECO4 Flex?
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a government energy efficiency scheme. It aims to reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty by improving the energy efficiency of homes occupied by residents on low incomes who are vulnerable to the cold, and/or live in homes that are hard to heat.
ECO is funded by large private energy supplies and delivered by PAS2030/2035 qualified installers who are TrustMark accredited.
ECO Flex is a route through which local authorities can assess the eligibility of low-income or vulnerable to cold, private tenure households who are not in receipt of means tested benefits using the additional eligibility criteria set out in the Statement of Intent (PDF).
The Great British Insulation Scheme is a new energy efficiency scheme for households, which will support the existing Energy Company Obligation Scheme (ECO4) in the delivery of predominantly single measures targeted at a wider range of households.
If a household is not in receipt of a qualifying means tested benefit but does meet the additional eligibility set out in the Statement on Intent for ECO Flex then the proposed Installer must be registered with East Cambridgeshire District Council.
We are not involved or responsible for issuing the funding, appointing contractors or installing the works.
What improvements could I qualify for?
Your chosen installer(s) will carry out a survey and identify improvements suitable for your property.
If eligible, you could qualify for any of the improvements listed below. This is not the full list of and other improvements might be available depending on the installer.
- Insulation (e.g. loft, pitched roof, flat roof, room in roof, cavity wall, external wall, internal wall, floor)
- Low carbon heaters (e.g. air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, energy efficient boilers, heating controls, electric storage heaters)
- Solar PV panels
- High performance external doors
- Window glazing
- Draught proofing
Am I eligible?
ECO Funding is only available for private owner occupiers and private rented tenants whose energy performance rating is a D,E,F or G. You can check your rating on the government website (external link)
If you receive one or more of the following benefits, you can apply directly through an energy supplier.
- Child Benefit
- Pension Guarantee Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
- Tax Credits (Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credits)
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Pension Credit Saving Credit
Households not in receipt of one of those benefits listed may still be also eligible under the additional criteria set out in our Statement of Intent (SOI) (PDF)
We must verify these through evidence provided by the householder that they meet the specified criteria. We provide verification of eligibility declarations to private installation companies working in our area.
How do I find an installer?
Sometimes installers will contact you to make you aware of a scheme or you can contact registered installers directly to see if you are eligible.
You are responsible for choosing an installer and carrying out checks to ensure you are satisfied with the installation company. Your chosen installer must be TrustMark registered.
You can find a registered installer on the TrustMark website (external link) and/or contact the installers listed on the Action Energy website (external link).
The installer working on behalf of the energy supplier will decide what level of support and type of improvements you could receive.
We recommend you request to see their company ID and their name and contact details when they visit your property. This will help you to check on the status of your application after they leave. We will not have access to this information.
What else will I need to check?
It is your responsibility to carry out the following checks:
- Do you need planning permission or building regulations approval: Certain types of insulation such as external wall insulation and Solar PV might need approval and as a homeowner/landlord it will be your responsibility to apply for this
- Find out if the installer is a member of a competent person scheme related to electrics or insulation work, like the MCS, NICEIC, CIGA, or Stroma schemes. If they are then they will be able to self-certify their work, rather than needing to get building regulations approval from your local council
- Make sure they are Gas Safe registered. By law all engineers installing gas boilers must be on the Gas Safe register
- Check if they provide any guarantees or warranties on the installation and make sure you are provided with these and any other associated paperwork upon competition of an install
What if I am not happy with the installation?
Initial complaints about the installation should firstly be made to the company who installed the measure, but if problems persist you should contact Citizens Advice Consumer Services for free impartial advice.
Who administers ECO?
Ofgem administers the scheme on behalf of the Government Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). Ofgenm's duties include allocating targets to obligated suppliers, monitoring supplier progress and deciding whether they have achieved their obligations, reporting the Secretary of State, auditing, ensuring compliance and preventing and detecting fraud. DESNZ sets the overall policy for the ECO scheme.
The ECO4 Flex Process
East Cambs District Council will only provide declarations for households accessing the schemes via the additional eligibility criteria (ECO4 Flex) to installers who have registered with us for this scheme.
Step 1: An installer will ask initial questions to confirm the likelihood of qualification and then arrange a home visit.
Step 2: Home visit is conducted by the installer or their representative. If the property is suitable for upgrades an application form is fully completed and signed by the householder. Evidence supporting the application is gathered together, as outlined in the application form.
Step 3: The application form and supporting evidence is submitted by the installer to East Cambs District Council. Householder is supplied with the installers contact details should they wish to enquire about their application status later (East Cambs District Council cannot provide updates on applications)
Step 4: East Cambs District Council assess application and evidence. If applicant qualifies, a completed LA Declaration is signed and notification is sent to OFGEM and the installer. A signed declaration does not guarantee that work will be carried out.
Step 5: Installation company carry out installation(s): leaving resident with contact details and any warranties/guarantees as required.
Step 6: If householder is not satisfied with an installation they should contact the installation company in the first instance and if issues are not resolved you should seek advice from Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline. (East Cambs District Council cannot assist in complaint resolutions regarding ECO funding installations)
Information for Installers
Interested in providing energy efficiency improvements under this scheme?
Please contact homeenergy@eastcambs.gov.uk to register your interest. We will then send you an application form and Data Sharing Agreement to complete prior to taking any requests for declarations to be signed.