ECO4 Scheme – Improving the energy efficiency of your home
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO), first introduced in 2013, is an energy efficiency scheme for Great Britain that places legal obligations on energy suppliers to deliver energy efficiency measures to domestic premises. The fourth wave of the scheme (ECO4) runs to 31 March 2026.
ECO4 focuses on improving the least energy efficient homes, as only properties in EPC (energy performance certificate) band D-G can be treated. It also requires a more complete upgrade of those homes, shifting to a fabric-first multi-measure whole-house retrofit approach which prioritises the installation of insulation before considering other measures, such as air source heat pumps (for heating and hot water) and solar PV.
What is ECO4 Flexible Eligibility?
The main objective of ECO4 is to reduce fuel poverty by improving the least energy efficient housing occupied by low income and vulnerable households. One route that can be used to identify these households is through Local Authority Flexible Eligibility or LA Flex.
Under LA Flex, a participating Local Authority can refer owner-occupiers and private tenants that it considers to be living in fuel poverty or on a low income and vulnerable to the effects of living in a cold home.
To be deemed eligible by Bury Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority, you must be a private tenure household and meet one of the following of eligibility criteria as set out in GMCA Statement of Intent.
Routes for approval:
- Route 1 (Household Income): Households living in private tenure Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band D, E, F, or G homes and with a gross annual income less than £31,000.
- Route 2 (Proxy Targeting): Households living in owner occupied or privately rented EPC band E, F, or G homes that meet at least two of the proxies (for example, your home is in LSOA 1-3, a child living at the premises is eligible for free school meals).
- Route 3 (NHS Referrals): Households in private tenure EPC band D, E, F and G homes and identified as housing a person suffering from a severe and / or long-term health condition that is adversely affected by living in a cold home.
How to apply
0800 Repair are our approved installer and are available to identify which qualifying works may be appropriate for your home and if they can be funded through the ECO4 scheme. If you think you are eligible, please apply through Greater Manchester’s Retrofit Portal. If you are unable to apply online, please contact 0800 Repair to register your details on 0800-737-247.