Energy Company Obligations (ECO4) scheme

Energy Company Obligations (ECO4) is a government scheme designed to reduce fuel poverty and carbon emissions. It places an obligation on certain energy companies to deliver energy efficiency measures to homes. There are two parts to the scheme – ECO4 Help to Heat and ECO4 Flex. 

Who can apply?

There are two parts to this scheme – ECO4 Help to Heat which is means tested, and ECO4 Flex which is not. 

Who qualifies for ECO4 Help to Heat?

Under ECO4 Help to Heat, energy suppliers who are part of the scheme will carry out home improvements that will increase your property's energy performance certificate (EPC) rating. 

To find out if you qualify, please check that:

• your supplier is part of this scheme (ofgem.gov.uk)
• your home is in EPC bands D, E, F or G (GOV.UK)
• you are in receipt of a means-tested benefits (turn2us.org.uk)

If you do not know who your supplier is, use the findmysupplier.energy postcode look-up.

To apply for ECO4 Help to Heat please contact your supplier. Find out how to contact your supplier (ofgem.gov.uk). If you need help contacting your supplier, call Healthy Homes on freephone 0800 012 1754 or email us at healthyhomesprogramme@liverpool.gov.uk. 

Who qualifies for ECO4 Flex?

To qualify for home improvements that will increase your property's energy performance certificate (EPC) rating:

• your household income must be under £31,000 a year 
• your property must be in EPC band D to G for homeowners or band E to G for private renters
• or you must have a cardiovascular condition, respiratory disease, limited mobility or be immunosuppressed, plus your property's EPC band must be D to G – in this case your income is irrelevant

You must be able to provide proof of your income or a letter from a NHS registered health professionals such as a GP, nurse or consultant.

To apply for ECO4 Flex, please call Healthy Homes on freephone 0800 012 1754 or email us at healthyhomesprogramme@liverpool.gov.uk.

How to apply

Apply for ECO4 Help to Heat

For ECO4 Help to Heat please contact your supplier to apply. Find out how to contact your supplier (ofgem.gov.uk). If you need help contacting your supplier, call Healthy Homes on freephone 0800 012 1754 or email us at healthyhomesprogramme@liverpool.gov.uk. 

Apply for ECO4 Flex

For ECO4 Flex, please call Healthy Homes on freephone 0800 012 1754 to apply for help or email us at healthyhomesprogramme@liverpool.gov.uk.

What happens next?

If you apply for help under the ECO4 Help to Heat scheme, your supplier will tell you if you qualify and what the next steps are.

If you qualify for help under the ECO4 Flex scheme, a home survey will be carried out by one of our approved contractors:  Next Energy UK Limited or YES Energy Solutions.

We determine who qualifies for ECO Flex, but do not define what work will be carried out once the survey takes place. The declaration of eligibility we sign does not entitle you to a grant – it is at the discretion of your energy supplier.

Further help

Call Healthy Homes on freephone 0800 012 1754 for help or email us at healthyhomesprogramme@liverpool.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can contact Simple Energy Advice.

• ECO Flexible Eligibility Statement of Intent 2023

  Download this document: ECO Flexible Eligibility Statement of Intent 2023 (PDF: 211 KB)

  This statement sets out the flexible eligibility criteria for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) and Great British Insulation Scheme schemes from April 2022 – March 2026 for the Liverpool City Region Local Authorities.

  First published: 26/01/2024

  Last updated: 26/01/2024