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How does ECO4 work?

  • April 15, 2023
  • 9 replies
  • 891 views
B
Carbon Cutter*****

I have been trying to get a new heating system to replace electric storage heaters for over two years as my bills are very high in winter. I was told by one company that I had successfully got ECO3, but then so many delays happened that it was no longer valid and I had to wait for ECO4. Meanwhile the company closed down and some of the people started a new company. They told me after several months that I have been accepted for ECO4. That was about half a year ago now, and again, so many delays have happened and appointments cancelled by them that I've lost trust. This has been going on since 2020. The latest I heard from them is that it'll definitely be done a few weeks ago, so I moved all my furniture and wall decor away from walls etc and moved into my partner's place and I'm still here almost a month later.

 

Recently they said they're delayed because they'd "run out of money", as ECO4 funding is only given after the job is complete, so they need to buy everything out of their own pocket. Is this true?

 

Also, I am worried that they might be running some kind of scam at this point. Should I receive anything from ECO4 to say how much has been awarded to spend on home improvements? So I don't end up with the cheapest boiler, etc?

 

I'm looking into other companies now but they've already done the loft insulation months ago, will this be a problem? 

 

The guy I've been speaking to has also recently said he's starting a new company again, his own this time, so I'm pretty concerned and confused why these companies keep shutting down or changing as it just feels like a loop where nothing ends up happening. 

Best answer by Tim_OVO

Updated on 19/05/25 by Emmanuelle_OVO:
 

We could help you save on your energy bills with free or part-funded upgrades
 

If you want to make your home warmer and more energy efficient, we could help. Through us, you can apply for government schemes that are all about installing energy efficiency measures in your home. Like a new boiler, insulation, a heat pump, and more through the current ECO4 scheme. Or upgraded insulation for cavity walls and lofts through the Great British Insulation Scheme.

The Great British Insulation Scheme offers households in England Wales and Scotland access to one free or discounted insulation measure. 
 


This scheme is open to all, meaning there is no requirement to be an OVO customer to get this.

 

Customers must be a home owner, reside in a property with a Council Tax Band of A-E in Scotland / Wales and A-D in England and have an EPC rating of D or below.

 

Applications are open and very welcome here.

 

If you have a query or question, contact ECO@ovo.com. 

Hi @BrightEyes161,

 

You could be eligible for free energy efficiency upgrades via the ECO4 scheme. 

 

If you want to make your home warmer and more energy efficient, take a look!

 

If you’re eligible, you could get a wide range of energy-saving measures installed through ECO4 – from loft insulation to a new boiler, or even high-end tech like heat pumps. You could get a whole package installed, all for free.

 

OVO have made a guide to ECO4 here which covers:
 

  • ECO4: what is it?
  • What’s included in ECO4?
  • Who’s eligible for ECO4?
  • Eligible benefits
  • How to apply for ECO4

 

See the guide here, or check if you’re eligible here. 

 

We’ve created a new ECO and GBIS referral platform!

 

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) team have developed a new referral platform to allow both OVO customers and non-customers access to funding from the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS).
 

What are these schemes?

 

ECO4 

  • A government energy efficiency scheme designed to tackle fuel poverty and help reduce carbon emissions in Great Britain 
  • The scheme offers a full house retrofit for those who qualify and is aimed at those most at risk of fuel poverty
  • Customers will need to be receiving an eligible benefit to apply
  • More info on the scheme here.
     

Great British Insulation Scheme 

  • Currently being developed by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) 
  • Aims to deliver energy efficiency upgrades in homes in Great Britain by installing one insulation measure such as Cavity Wall or Loft Insulation to eligible properties
  • Has a much wider reach than ECO4 and up to 80% of Great Britain could qualify, including many of us in the OVO community
  • No requirement to be receiving an eligible benefit for the largest part of this scheme - homes just need to be in the right council tax band and have a low energy efficiency rating
  • More info on the scheme here. 

How to apply

 

You can apply via the websites linked above.  

 

The application forms will cover the initial qualification criteria so you can send them the link to apply directly.  

 

The government is also about to launch a referral scheme for the GBIS and ECO through the gov.uk website so OVO customers, and non-customers, will be able to refer themselves to OVO via the platform. 

 

You can get an update on your referral from eco@ovoenergy.com. 

9 replies

juliamc
Carbon Catcher***
Forum|alt.badge.img+3
  • juliamcCarbon Catcher***
  • Carbon Catcher***
  • April 15, 2023

What kind of loft insulation have they done for you ? Have you been able to see the insulation for yourself ? Have you paid anything to the company who did it ?

Tim_OVO
Jeffus
Plan Zero Hero
Forum|alt.badge.img+2
  • JeffusPlan Zero Hero
  • Plan Zero Hero
  • April 15, 2023

Hi @BrightEyes161

You can use the ECO scheme directly with OVO. 

That may be worth doing

https://www.ovoenergy.com/help/eco-scheme

 

Tim_OVO
B
Carbon Cutter*****
  • BrightEyes161
  • Author
  • Carbon Cutter*****
  • April 15, 2023

What kind of loft insulation have they done for you ? Have you been able to see the insulation for yourself ? Have you paid anything to the company who did it ?

Paid nothing, they said they do the work first based on ECO4 guidelines then get the money from the government. The insulation was one of the things they had to do to move my flat from E to C EPC, I think. I haven’t seen the insulation as I don’t have a ladder and wouldn’t really even know what I’m looking at. I think they said 100mm but I may remember wrongly. Mostly want the heating done as I think that would save most costs but I’m giving up hope it will ever happen after all these years.

 

Hi @BrightEyes161

You can use the ECO scheme directly with OVO. 

That may be worth doing

https://www.ovoenergy.com/help/eco-scheme

 

Thanks, looking into doing it with my current provider but if that doesn’t work I’ll try this!

Tim_OVO
juliamc
Carbon Catcher***
Forum|alt.badge.img+3
  • juliamcCarbon Catcher***
  • Carbon Catcher***
  • April 15, 2023

From what I’ve read, the spray-on insulation is a problem as it means the joists can’t be examined eg by a surveyor, amongst other things. If it was a top up of 100 mm blanket type then that’s probably not a problem, depending how it’s been done, and no electric cables have been buried. Have the company given you any kind of paperwork (or email) to confirm the work they’ve done? 

Tim_OVO
Jeffus
Plan Zero Hero
Forum|alt.badge.img+2
  • JeffusPlan Zero Hero
  • Plan Zero Hero
  • April 15, 2023

The recommended depth is 270mm so hopefully they did that

https://www.cse.org.uk/advice/advice-and-support/loft-insulation#:~:text=What%20depth%20should%20my%20loft,considering%20getting%20it%20topped%20up

 

Tim_OVO
juliamc
B
Carbon Cutter*****
  • BrightEyes161
  • Author
  • Carbon Cutter*****
  • April 15, 2023

From what I’ve read, the spray-on insulation is a problem as it means the joists can’t be examined eg by a surveyor, amongst other things. If it was a top up of 100 mm blanket type then that’s probably not a problem, depending how it’s been done, and no electric cables have been buried. Have the company given you any kind of paperwork (or email) to confirm the work they’ve done? 

 

No paperwork, though I'll check with the landlord. Is paperwork a requirement for ECO4 processes at this stage?

B
Carbon Cutter*****
  • BrightEyes161
  • Author
  • Carbon Cutter*****
  • April 15, 2023

The recommended depth is 270mm so hopefully they did that

https://www.cse.org.uk/advice/advice-and-support/loft-insulation#:~:text=What%20depth%20should%20my%20loft,considering%20getting%20it%20topped%20up

 

 

Ah thanks. 100mm might be what I had before. I've no way of knowing tbh.

Jeffus
Plan Zero Hero
Forum|alt.badge.img+2
  • JeffusPlan Zero Hero
  • Plan Zero Hero
  • April 16, 2023

I have been trying to get a new heating system to replace electric storage heaters for over two years as my bills are very high in winter. I was told by one company that I had successfully got ECO3, but then so many delays happened that it was no longer valid and I had to wait for ECO4. Meanwhile the company closed down and some of the people started a new company. They told me after several months that I have been accepted for ECO4. That was about half a year ago now, and again, so many delays have happened and appointments cancelled by them that I've lost trust. This has been going on since 2020. The latest I heard from them is that it'll definitely be done a few weeks ago, so I moved all my furniture and wall decor away from walls etc and moved into my partner's place and I'm still here almost a month later.

 

Recently they said they're delayed because they'd "run out of money", as ECO4 funding is only given after the job is complete, so they need to buy everything out of their own pocket. Is this true?

 

Also, I am worried that they might be running some kind of scam at this point. Should I receive anything from ECO4 to say how much has been awarded to spend on home improvements? So I don't end up with the cheapest boiler, etc?

 

I'm looking into other companies now but they've already done the loft insulation months ago, will this be a problem? 

 

The guy I've been speaking to has also recently said he's starting a new company again, his own this time, so I'm pretty concerned and confused why these companies keep shutting down or changing as it just feels like a loop where nothing ends up happening. 

As you are concerned, as a next step before committing to anything else with this company and individual i would chat to citizens advice as advised by the government.

https://www.gov.uk/energy-company-obligation

Citizens advice are pretty good at  knowing how the scheme should work, what paper work you should get etc. 

I see you also posted 5 months ago about the scheme

Perhaps get a neighbour, friend or family member to have a look in the loft 

Tim_OVO
Tim_OVO
Retired Moderator
  • Tim_OVO
  • OVO Forum Legend
  • Answer
  • June 22, 2023

Updated on 19/05/25 by Emmanuelle_OVO:
 

We could help you save on your energy bills with free or part-funded upgrades
 

If you want to make your home warmer and more energy efficient, we could help. Through us, you can apply for government schemes that are all about installing energy efficiency measures in your home. Like a new boiler, insulation, a heat pump, and more through the current ECO4 scheme. Or upgraded insulation for cavity walls and lofts through the Great British Insulation Scheme.

The Great British Insulation Scheme offers households in England Wales and Scotland access to one free or discounted insulation measure. 
 


This scheme is open to all, meaning there is no requirement to be an OVO customer to get this.

 

Customers must be a home owner, reside in a property with a Council Tax Band of A-E in Scotland / Wales and A-D in England and have an EPC rating of D or below.

 

Applications are open and very welcome here.

 

If you have a query or question, contact ECO@ovo.com. 

Hi @BrightEyes161,

 

You could be eligible for free energy efficiency upgrades via the ECO4 scheme. 

 

If you want to make your home warmer and more energy efficient, take a look!

 

If you’re eligible, you could get a wide range of energy-saving measures installed through ECO4 – from loft insulation to a new boiler, or even high-end tech like heat pumps. You could get a whole package installed, all for free.

 

OVO have made a guide to ECO4 here which covers:
 

  • ECO4: what is it?
  • What’s included in ECO4?
  • Who’s eligible for ECO4?
  • Eligible benefits
  • How to apply for ECO4

 

See the guide here, or check if you’re eligible here. 

 

We’ve created a new ECO and GBIS referral platform!

 

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) team have developed a new referral platform to allow both OVO customers and non-customers access to funding from the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS).
 

What are these schemes?

 

ECO4 

  • A government energy efficiency scheme designed to tackle fuel poverty and help reduce carbon emissions in Great Britain 
  • The scheme offers a full house retrofit for those who qualify and is aimed at those most at risk of fuel poverty
  • Customers will need to be receiving an eligible benefit to apply
  • More info on the scheme here.
     

Great British Insulation Scheme 

  • Currently being developed by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) 
  • Aims to deliver energy efficiency upgrades in homes in Great Britain by installing one insulation measure such as Cavity Wall or Loft Insulation to eligible properties
  • Has a much wider reach than ECO4 and up to 80% of Great Britain could qualify, including many of us in the OVO community
  • No requirement to be receiving an eligible benefit for the largest part of this scheme - homes just need to be in the right council tax band and have a low energy efficiency rating
  • More info on the scheme here. 

How to apply

 

You can apply via the websites linked above.  

 

The application forms will cover the initial qualification criteria so you can send them the link to apply directly.  

 

The government is also about to launch a referral scheme for the GBIS and ECO through the gov.uk website so OVO customers, and non-customers, will be able to refer themselves to OVO via the platform. 

 

You can get an update on your referral from eco@ovoenergy.com. 

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