Energy efficiency advice and grants

Find out if you could save money on your energy bills by improving the energy efficiency of your home.

People living in Colchester can get access to impartial energy advice through the Better Housing, Better Health (BHBH) service run by the National Energy Foundation.

They can provide help with:

energy switching
energy saving advice
getting added to utility company priority registers (for alerts in case of utility emergencies)
access to grant funding for improving the energy efficiency of your home and more

They can be contacted by phone on 0800 107 0044, or an online enquiry can be made on their website.

Current government grants available:

Boiler Upgrade Scheme

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides grant funding to cover part of the part of the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems with a heat pump or biomass boiler.

Find more information on the Boiler Upgrade Scheme

Energy Company Obligation (ECO4/ECO4 Flex) and Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)

The main aim of the ECO4 and GBIS schemes is to support low income and vulnerable households to install energy saving measures and improve the efficiency of the lowest rated homes (i.e. those that are not well insulated and cost a lot to heat). This is to help to reduce fuel poverty and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from housing, in line with Government commitments.

Both schemes are open for applications from owner-occupiers, private rental sector tenants and landlords, and for properties fuelled by all energy types (gas, electric, oil, LPG etc). The schemes have slightly different aims:

The ECO4 scheme aims to support the install of multiple ‘measures’ (e.g. insulation, boiler replacements) for a property which will help the occupier save energy. There are different eligibility criteria for qualifying for this funding, including wider criteria if referred through a local authority (the ECO4 flex element of the scheme, the flex referring to ‘flexible eligibility).

The GBIS is designed to deliver primarily single-measure insulation to households. It does aim to support low income and vulnerable households, but also has wider eligibility criteria so people can apply for support even if they are not on a low income or are considered vulnerable.

Find out more about both schemes, including eligibility criteria and how to apply

Useful links and documents:

Local energy advice and help

Community Energy Colchester

A Colchester based organisation offering independent energy saving advice, support with energy retrofit recommendations and more. The organisation currently has funding to deliver free in person home visits to residents to offer energy advice, alongside providing free radiator reflector panels. If this is of interest please get in contact with Community Energy Colchester by email: chris@communityenergycolchester.com or phone: 07799 494797.

Green Doctor

Groundwork’s Green Doctors help UK residents stay warm, stay well, and save money on household bills. Independent energy advice delivered by qualified professionals, to help you save money on your utility bills.

Find out more about Green Doctor

Email: greendoctoreast@groundwork.org.uk

Warm Homes Essex

The Warm Homes Essex website has details of other funding, advice, and support available in Essex.

Page last reviewed: 21 November 2024