If you have heard of the Energy Company Obligation scheme then you may be wondering what is the EPC Rating I need to qualify for ECO4? If you haven’t heard of ECO (Energy Company Obligation), then keep reading and we will tell you all about it.
What is ECO4?
First things first, let’s talk about what exactly the ECO4 scheme is. The Energy Company Obligation is a government grant with the goal of making homes in the UK more energy efficient. It is also tackling issues such as fuel poverty and environmental safety and conservation. With the ECO4 grant, you can get free home improvements and heating upgrades. To find out more about the ECO4 Scheme, please read our article The ECO4 Grant And What It Means For UK Residents.
Of course, as we all know, climate change is a huge topic in today’s news. Everyone would like to play their part in reducing their carbon footprint. The ECO4 scheme is one way you can not only save money but reduce your carbon footprint and do your part for the environment. Before you can apply for the ECO4 Scheme, there are a few criteria you need to meet to receive these free home improvements.
How do you qualify for the ECO4 scheme?
To qualify for the ECO4 Scheme, your home needs to have an EPC Rating of an E, F or G. These homes are a priority for the government as these homes are in the highest need of an upgrade. The lower the EPC Rating, the higher the probability of health issues for those inhabiting these homes. You can read more about potential health threats that low EPC Rated homes can cause here.
As well as being bad for your health, a low EPC Rating is bad for your wallet. You will be paying much more than you should to keep your home warm. A low EPC usually means you have a poorly insulated home. This means your home is completely inefficient at keeping the heat in during the winter months.
If you are in receipt of a means tested benefit then you will be eligible for this scheme. However this is not a necessity as there are other ways to be eligible. This is known as “Flex”. This allows the local authority in your area to nominate properties and make them eligible for ECO funding. These households need to have an income below £31,000.
What if I don’t know my EPC Rating?
If you don’t know your EPC Rating, you can check on the government website.
Don’t have an EPC Rating? Don’t worry, you might still be eligible. If you would like to take steps to getting on, you can search for an accredited assessor. This is recommended as you will not be able to buy or sell your home without one.
What if I don’t qualify?
For those of you who don’t qualify for this scheme, there is no need to panic. Just remember this, the government has given themselves the deadline of 2026 to reach their targets and that may not be possible with their current criteria.
There are those who qualify for ECO4, who didn’t qualify for ECO3 and so on. So even if you do not qualify for this scheme, there are likely to be further ECO schemes. Given some time there may be an ECO5 scheme with a wider criteria or one of the other schemes available that you may be eligible for, such as the Great British Insulation Scheme (originally called ECO+).
What EPC Ratings are covered by GBIS?
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) is a new government energy efficiency scheme similar to the ECO4 scheme. It is designed to deliver improvements to the least energy-efficient homes in the UK to tackle fuel poverty and help reduce energy bills. This scheme will deliver single insulation measures.
As well as supporting low-income and vulnerable households, this scheme will be available to those living in homes with an EPC Rating of D or lower, and within Council Tax bands A-D in England and A-E in Scotland and Wales. You can read more about the Great British Insulation Scheme and check if you are eligible in this article (The Great British Insulation Scheme)
