Get help with making energy-saving improvements to your home: ECO4 and GBIS
Make your home cheaper, warmer and greener through funded energy-saving improvements.
Any improvements can help you to keep you warmer while saving you money on your energy bills and reducing carbon emissions.
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) and Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) can help with installing improvements such as:
- heat pumps
- insulation for walls, lofts and floors
- new heating systems or repairs to existing heating
- draughtproofing
- solar energy installations
Eligibility
You may be able to get help from our local ECO4 or GBIS if you live in Essex and you're on a low income or are vulnerable to living in a cold home.
Energy performance
You can only apply if your property has an energy performance certificate rating (EPC) of D, E, F or G
Find information on energy certificates on GOV.UK.
Where you live
You must live in Essex and be one of the following:
- homeowner
- private tenant
- landlord
If you are a landlord you may be asked to contribute towards the costs of any energy improvements. This will depend on the circumstances of the tenant at the qualifying property.
Other criteria
You must either:
- have a gross household income of less than £31,000
- be identified by Essex County Council as a vulnerable household which is not eligible under any other scheme
Medical referrals
You may also be considered eligible for the schemes if you are referred to us by a doctor or GP who has identified you as being:
- on low-income
- vulnerable with a health condition that may be impacted further by living in a cold home
How to apply
There are a number of different ways to apply or be referred to the schemes.
⚠ You must apply through our Managing Agents, Better Housing, Better Health (BHBH). We cannot accept any applications that are sent directly to us.
By telephone
You can call BHBH to apply.
Telephone: 0800 107 0044
Find out about call charges on GOV.UK
Online
You can apply online using the BHBH application form.
When you complete the application form
In the 'brief description of your enquiry' box you will need to enter: ECO4 and GBIS
You do not need to complete the section for referral partners.
After you've applied
If you are referred to us it does not mean that you will automatically get help with making energy-saving improvements to your home.
① An advisor will call you to complete an eligibility assessment over the phone. This will include questions about the household and the residents occupying it.
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② If you pass the eligibility assessment you will be told the name of the approved contractor. You will need to give consent for your data to be shared with them.
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③ The contractor will then contact you to arrange and appointment for a survey on your property.
⚠ If you want to confirm the details of your contractor before you let them in your home you can contact BHBH on 0800 107 0044.
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④ The contractor will advise you on what to install to make the best energy-saving improvements to your home.
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⑤ If you decide to go ahead the contractor will contact you to discuss and arrange the works.
Questions
Ofgem has provided answers to some common questions about the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme.
Contact us
You can contact our Climate Change Team for help and advice.
Email: climatechange@uttlesford.gov.uk
Telephone: 01799 510510
You can also get in touch with us using alternative methods via our contact us page.
Useful pages
ECO4 and GBIS statement of intent (PDF) [229KB] on essex.gov.uk
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