ECO4 Flex Scheme

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a government energy efficiency scheme run by Ofgem. 
 
Find out more about the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) 

Energy Company Obligation phase 4 (ECO4) 

This scheme is now in its 4th phase. ECO4 will be a four-year scheme and is intended to run from 01 April 2022 to 31 March 2026.      
 
The main aim of ECO4 is to support low income and vulnerable households to install energy saving measures and improve the efficiency of the lowest rated homes. This is to help the government’s fuel poverty and net zero commitments.      
 
Participating local authorities can refer households they consider to be living in fuel poverty or on a low income and vulnerable to the effects of living in a cold home.   

Who is eligible 

You will need to fulfil all of the following criteria 

• You are living in the district of Colchester. The scheme is being operated across Essex, so residents based in other authorities may also be eligible. 
• You are a homeowner, private tenant or landlord (landlords may be asked to contribute towards the costs of installed measures).   
• Your property has an energy performance certificate rating of between E-G. You can find your energy performance certificate (if it has one) on the Government website. If you do not have one, then still consider applying as an energy assessment may be completed at your home if you meet the other eligibility criteria. 

You will also need to fulfil one of the following criteria: 

• Total household income is less than £31,000 and/or you receive a qualifying benefit. This cap applies irrespective of the property size, composition, or region.     
• Identified by your doctor or GP as having a health condition which may be impacted by living in a cold home such as living with a cardiovascular or respiratory condition, having limited mobility or being immunosuppressed.  
• Meeting two of the following proxy indicators: 
  1. You are entitled to Council tax reduction on the grounds of low-income 
  2. A child at the premises is eligible for free school meals due to low income 
  3. Your household has been referred for support from Citizen’s Advice because of struggle to pay energy bills 
  4. Living in a Lower layer Super Output Area (LSOA) Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) decile 1-3. (This can be checked by visiting this Government website.)

If your household income is ABOVE £31,000.00 and you do not have a qualifying health condition, you are advised to apply through The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) through NEF, using the link below. Find out more information on GBIS. 

How to apply  

All application are being handled by the Managing Agents, Better Housing, Better Health (BHBH) who have been appointed by Essex County Council to assess the suitability of residents for energy grant funding, alongside providing energy advice. 
 
To apply, either call 0800 107 0044 or apply online. 

What happens next 

After making your referral request online, or calling the BHBH contact number, an advisor will run an initial eligibility assessment on the phone. This will include questions about the household as well as the residents occupying it.   

After initial eligibility has been verified, NEF will pass your personal data to one of the installers (contractors) they work with to book a survey for your property. This happens after the advisor takes data consent to pass your details to the installer.   

You will be told the name of the contractor/installer that will be contacting you: if unsure, check with BHBH again.  

Installers (contractors) will then get in touch to schedule the date and time for this survey to take place.  

Once the survey is done by the installer and measures are agreed, the installer (contractor) asks for additional paperwork to be able to process the application. The installer will advise on the timeline when measures are expected to be delivered.  

The Energy Efficient Homes team at Colchester City Council are also available for any queries or questions regarding how to apply, contact us.  
 
All applications for ECO4 should be made through Better Housing, Better Health on 0800 107 0044 or www.bhbh.org.uk 

ECO4 Flex: information for suppliers and contractors  

Essex County Council has appointed National Energy Foundation (NEF) as its Managing Agent for ECO4 Flex and Colchester City Council is participating under this scheme. Only declarations submitted to and by NEF can be considered for funding. No declaration requests made directly to Essex County Council or Colchester City Council will be accepted.  

All suppliers interested in delivering work under the ECO4 scheme must be onboarded with NEF. Fees will apply for this process. Full details can be found at the NEF website.