THOUSANDS of households on benefits can save £700 on their yearly energy bills – and you might not have to spend a penny.
Low-income and vulnerable families can get help improving the energy-efficiency of their homes through a Government scheme.
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The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is designed to tackle fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions in the UK.
Fuel poverty relates to households who need to spend a high proportion of their income to keep their property at a “reasonable temperature”.
Under the ECO scheme, suppliers have a legal obligation to implement energy-saving measures in someone’s home.
Help is offered on a case-by-case basis, but it can mean having a new boiler fitted, or loft or cavity wall insulation put in, often for free.
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The cost of having a boiler fitted is around £2,000 – £4,000, while loft insulation costs around £670 to install and cavity wall insulation in a mid-terrace house will set you back £1,800, according to Checkatrade.
Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at price comparison website Uswitch, said: “The aim (of ECO) is to improve the home’s energy performance and make it cheaper to heat.
“Eligible customers can receive support to heat and insulate their homes, helping to cut their energy bills.”
He added: “Those who apply and are eligible can receive help installing energy efficiency measures such as insulation, or get support to upgrade or repair their heating system.
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“Measures can also include the installation of heat pumps and smart thermostats.”
The ECO first launched in January 2013 and has been extended four times.
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The ECO3 scheme closed on March 31, 2022 and ECO4 came into force in July the same year.
ECO4 applies to any help issued between April 1, 2022, and covers a four-year period until March 31, 2026.
A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said it expected several hundred thousand households will have received help through ECO4 by March 2026, saving an average of £600 to £700 on their bills each year.
Of course, the savings you could make will vary, depending on how bad the energy-efficiency of your home was before, how much electricity and gas you use, and the changes made to your home.
Not all energy companies are signed up to the ECO scheme. Here is the list of ones that are:
- British Gas
- E (Gas and Electricity) LTd
- E.ON
- Ecotricity
- EDF
- Octopus Energy
- Outfox the Market
- OVO
- Scottish Power
- Shell Energy
- So Energy (including ESB Energy)
- The Utility Warehouse
- Utilita Energy
Who is eligible and how to apply
You only qualify for the ECO under certain circumstances, for example if you claim certain benefits and live in private housing.
The list of benefits that could qualify you for the scheme is:
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit
- Pension Guarantee Credit
- Pension Savings Credit
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Child Benefit
- Housing Benefit
You also could be eligible if you living in social housing.
In addition to this, households also need to be living in properties with an energy efficiency rating of D-G if they own it, or E-G if they are renting from a private landlord.
You can find out what energy efficiency rating your home is by using the Government’s tool.
Bear in mind, you need permission from your landlord if you are privately renting and want to get work done through the ECO.
Also, just because you are eligible for the ECO scheme, that doesn’t mean you are guaranteed help.
Meanwhile, you may have to fund part of the energy-improving measures in your home.
You can apply by contacting either your local council or energy supplier.
You can find your local council by using the Government’s council locator tool on its website.
If you’re not happy with the work that’s been done in your home under the ECO scheme, you can contact the installer or the company that commissioned out the work.
If they don’t solve the problem, you should contact your local Citizen’s Advice branch.
What other help is there?
You can get help insulating your home through the Government’s Great British Insulation Scheme.
It launched in September last year and is open to households in council tax bands A-E across England, Wales and Scotland.
You also must have an energy performance certificate rating of D or lower.
If you qualify, you could be in line for essential upgrades to your home including roof, loft or cavity wall insulation – which could cut your annual energy bill by up to £400.
There’s a tool on the Government’s website which asks you a number of questions to determine whether you meet the eligibility criteria.
Meanwhile, you might be able to get a grant to help towards the cost of installing a heat pump through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
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How to cut your energy bills
Here’s a couple of ways to get money off your energy bills:
The Warm Home Discount is applied every winter between October and the following March.
The £150 is for those on the lowest incomes and designed to cover the additional costs of heating over the colder months.
You don’t have to apply if you live in England or Wales and qualify, but some households in Scotland do.
You’ll also have to be in receipt of a number of benefits including Universal Credit, Income Support and Pension Credit.
Check if you’re eligible for the Household Support Fund too.
It’s available to households in England and usually those on a low income or benefits qualify.
You’ll need to apply through your council so you should contact them to see if you’re eligible for any help.
The £450million fund offers grants to homeowners in England and Wales to buy the devices which can save you money on your bills.
Keith Shatwell told The Sun he received a £5,000 grant and is now saving around £140 a month on his energy bills.
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