ECO Flexible Eligibility Scheme

Funding is available for home energy improvements in low income private households via a registered installer.  

Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a government energy efficiency scheme. It aims to reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty.

Under ECO, medium and larger energy suppliers fund the installation of household energy efficiency measures. Each obligated supplier has an overall target based on its share of the domestic energy market. They work with installers to fit loft and wall insulation, heating measures and other improvements into qualifying households.

You can ask your installer whether they have access to ECO subsidies from one of the big six energy companies that could be included in your quotation. You do not have to be a customer with a specific energy provider to receive ECO funding. You can check which installers are members of a competent person scheme relating to insulation work by visiting Trustmark, CIGA, SWIGA or the IAA. 

The current phase ('ECO2T') now includes 'flexible eligibility'. This allows some households who didn't qualify for help under previous ECO schemes because they weren't receiving qualifying benefits to access subsidies via a registered installer. 

Now, properties may receive funding if they:

• are low income
• are in a property that is costly to heat or are vulnerable to cold
• meet the criteria for local conditions (explained in the Statement of Intent)