What is the UK Government’s ECO+ scheme?

The ECO+ scheme aims to make homes more energy efficient and reduce people’s energy bills by helping them to insulate their homes.

In response to the energy crisis, ECO+ includes those on the lowest incomes but also those living in the least energy efficient homes in lower council tax bands. This means the scheme will help a wider group of people to insulate their homes than previous versions of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme.

The UK Government will start the scheme in April 2023, and it will run for three years to March 2026.

Who will benefit from ECO+?

The scheme is aimed at low income and vulnerable households, including those in houses with poor energy efficiency, with an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of D or below and those in low council tax bands.

The UK Government’s proposal outlines that the council tax bands included will be A-D in England, A-E in Scotland and A-C in Wales.

The scheme will also offer the grant to people who haven’t been able to get any form of funding from the UK Government towards the cost of improving their home’s energy efficiency.

What types of insulation will ECO+ cover?

  • Park home insulation
  • Room-in-roof insulation
  • Secondary heating controls
  • Cavity wall insulation
  • Solid wall insulation (both external and internal)
  • Loft insulation
  • Pitched roof insulation
  • Flat roof insulation
  • Under floor insulation
  • Solid floor insulation

How much money could I save with ECO+?

The UK Government said that you could save around £310 a year on your energy bills if you get measures under the scheme.

Costs and savings for insulation vary depending on where you live. In England, Scotland and Wales, loft insulation costs around £640 in a semi-detached house, and figures show that it could save you £355 a year. Cavity wall insulation installation costs around £1,000 in a semi-detached house, and it can save you £395 a year.

When you apply for the scheme, you’ll be told the grant amount you’ll get. But you may still have to pay for some of the costs if you decide to go ahead with any measures that go over your allowance. Basic insulation like loft insulation will likely cost you very little or nothing at all.

How much will it cost me?

Each property will be given an allowance, which should cover most of the measures you could have installed. This will mean you have nothing to pay, unless you apply for some of the more expensive measures to be installed, eg Exterior Wall Insulation, Then you will be expected to pay a % of the cost over the allowance.  We will be able to advise you if you will have to contribute following a short free survey. You are then free to decide if you wish to apply for the funding or not.

How do I apply for ECO+?

Even though the scheme is due to start in spring 2023, the UK Government is looking to see if it could deliver some of the scheme earlier in 2023. As this is a grant, you won’t have to pay it back if your home is included in the scheme.

If you would like to take advantage of this scheme, please register your interest below. As with all funding, it is limited and will work on a first-come-first-served basis. Please answer all the questions as there are numerous other schemes where we may be able to get energy grants for you. We will then contact you once the scheme opens and arrange for your free survey.