ECO (Energy Company Obligation)
Scheme to help reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty.
Overview
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a government energy efficiency scheme in Great Britain to help reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty. Funding comes from energy suppliers and is used to promote measures which improve the ability of low income, fuel poor and vulnerable households to heat their homes.
There are a wide range of energy efficiency measures that can be installed under ECO including insulation measures, heating measures and connections to district heating systems (new and upgrades). These also include internal and external wall insulation systems. Unlike previous iterations of ECO a whole house approach is adopted in ECO 4, requiring a range of measures.
West Lothian Council is committed to tackling Fuel Poverty across the region through various means, as detailed in our Local Housing Strategy (LHS), Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) and Anti-Poverty Strategy (more details available from our Housing Policy and Strategies page). Adopting ECO 4 Eligibility Policy will allow ECO 4 Affordable Warmth Funding for energy efficiency improvement measures to be made available to more residents living in private sector housing.
We have published our Statement of Intent (SOI) to allow more homeowner to access ECO funding. This SOI will help to target those households in the highest level of need by targeting households living in fuel poverty or who are living on a low income and are vulnerable to the effects of a cold home. ECO 4 is only available to support residents living in private sector housing.
Funding is not provided through West Lothian Council, but is a UK Government initiative. To access this funding, you must go through an external contractor.
Who is eligible for the scheme
It applies to:
- some private housing in West Lothian Council
- fuel-poor households that do not meet criteria for other schemes
- low-income or vulnerable households that are vulnerable to the effects of the cold
- energy inefficient homes who may benefit from heating and energy saving measures.
It does not apply to Council Housing or Registered Social Landlords.
Homes with an Energy Performance Certificate bands of D, E F and G may be eligible for the scheme.
The routes for eligible households are outlined in the Statement of Intent (SOI).
How to apply for the funding
An approved ECO installer or energy provider can refer a household for the funding.
Or a potentially eligible household can apply through
- Home Energy Scotland
- West Lothian Council
- an approved ECO installer
The installer must get an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and evidence that the property meets the qualifying criteria.
The Council will then send it to Ofgem for approval. If it is approved, the funding can be used for insulation and energy efficiency improvements to the property.
We'll let the installer know and they can carry out the approved works and provide an EPC when the work is complete.
