If you are a homeowner, private tenant or a landlord, staying updated on how to enhance your property's energy efficiency while saving money is important. Clever Energy (Midlands) Ltd is here to help you navigate through two government backed schemes: the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) and Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS). Here is how these schemes can benefit you and increase the rating of the Energy Performance Certificate for your property.

ECO4, or the Energy Company Obligation, is designed to help low-income and vulnerable households improve their home energy efficiency. This initiative is important in modern day Britain, and is running from 2022 to 2026, if your properties need essential upgrades like new insulation and heating system:

• Upgrades from inefficient boilers to eco-friendly heating systems.
• Installation of insulation in lofts, walls, and floors to enhance heat retention.
• Provision of more efficient heating solutions like heat pumps, particularly replacing outdated oil and gas boilers.

• Your property must have an EPC rating of D to G.
• You, or your tenants, need to be on certain benefits such as:

• Universal Credit
• Pension Guarantee Credit
• Pension Savings Credit
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• Income Support
• Employment and Support Allowance
• Working Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Warm House Discount (Core Group Only)
• or Child Benefits.

• Households that don't use Universal Credit but still face financial hardship or have pre-payment meters (PPM) facing disconnection are also considered.Local authorities can refer residents, which allows for more flexibility in identifying eligible households under the "ECO Flex" initiative.

• The scheme is focused on replacing old and inefficient boilers and heating systems with more environmentally friendly options like heat pumps and biomass boilers.Support is not typically provided for systems like electric underfloor heating or bottled LPG heating unless no other alternatives are feasible.

• ECO4 includes obligations for energy suppliers to follow up and ensure installations have met their intended energy savings outcomes.

ECO4 aims to reduce heating costs and enhance living conditions, making homes warmer and energy bills more manageable. If you're eligible, Clever Energy (Midlands) Ltd can facilitate access to accredited installers who ensure all work complies with ECO4 standards.

Running parallel to ECO4, the Great British Insulation Scheme focuses on upgrading insulation to enhance living conditions and reduce heating costs significantly and enhance living conditions. This scheme is particularly beneficial if your property falls within the least energy-efficient categories. Some homeowners who previously did not qualify for the ECO4 scheme, may now well qualify for GBIS.

• Homes with an EPC rating from D to G.
• Located in Council Tax bands: A to D in England; A to E in Scotland and Wales.
• Homeowners and private tenants (with landlords’ permission) can apply.

• The scheme primarily targets insulation improvements but also offers the potential for installing other energy-saving measures like heating controls as secondary measures.
• It operates on a "fabric first" approach, prioritising the insulation of the building to maximise energy efficiency before installing heating systems.

• Similar to ECO4 Flex, GBIS allows local authorities and devolved administrations to refer households they identify as fitting their criteria, which may not strictly align with the national eligibility guidelines.

GBIS predominantly supports the installation of measures such as loft, wall, and floor insulation—directly contributing to a warmer, more comfortable home environment and reduced energy expenditures. These insulation enhancements are less invasive and typically less costly than the full-scale retrofit projects under ECO4, thus reaching a broader audience; GBIS may be available for IWI (Internal Wall Insulation) and EWI (External Wall Insulation).

Clever Energy (Midlands) is not just about providing information. We actively assist you in applying for these schemes by:

• Conducting initial eligibility checks.
• Facilitating the entire application process with accredited professionals.
• Ensuring that all installations meet the required standards.

• Don't miss out on the opportunity to enhance your property's energy efficiency. Contact us—to find out more about how you can benefit from ECO4 and GBIS.

Remember, improving your property's energy efficiency is not just about compliance; it is about making smart choices that benefit you and your tenants in the long run. Let Clever Energy (Midlands) Ltd guide you through these opportunities effectively and efficiently.