ECO and Affordable Warmth
What is ECO ?
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is the most recent obligation placed upon Energy Suppliers to lower carbon emissions in the UK. These obligations require energy suppliers to provide energy grant funding for energy efficiency improvements for eligible households.
ECO replaces previous obligations namely the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) and the Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP).
ECO is divided into three strands:
- The Home Heating Cost Reduction Obligation (HHCRO)
- The Carbon Saving Community Obligation (CSCO)
- The Carbon Emissions Reduction Obligation (CERO)
What is the aim of ECO?
ECO's aim is to combat fuel poverty and upgrade hard to treat properties in both the public and the private sector.
Who qualifies for ECO funding?
ECO funding structure is complex and funding is dependent on a number of factors. Any of the following sectors may be eligible:
- Private sector households vulnerable to or suffering from fuel poverty
- Social housing tenants
- Rural financially vulnerable households
- Homeowners and tenants in households which are "hard to treat" for insulation (eg: property has solid rather than cavity walls)
The amount of funding available differs for each property and is calculated through the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) or its reduced version (RdSAP). Funding for energy saving measures is therefore difficult to predict while the regulation continues to change and develop. If you have a project or product that you think would be eligible for ECO funding, please contact us today (01435 882628) today.
When is ECO available?
It was released in October 2012 with activity commencing in January 2013.
The obligation is set to run until March 2017 whereby energy suppliers are expected to have invested around £1.3 billion per year.
How can Claywood Energy help you with ECO ?
Claywood Energy provides advice and guidance on ECO to its clients. We can help you every step of the way.
ECO - Upgrades
ECO – upgrades is the title given to the installation of new technologies into households which go beyond the traditional measures such as loft insulation and cavity wall insulation. These programmes can also link with the Renewable Heating Incentive programme, Feed in Tariffs and Pay as you Save models.
Measures identified as ECO – upgrades improvements include:
Solar Photovoltaics (PV)
Solar thermal
Internal Solid Wall Insulation (IWI)
External Solid Wall Insulation (EWI)
Ground source heat pumps
Air source heat pumps
What is Affordable Warmth ?
Affordable Warmth (HHCRO) is the new Government scheme (launched in January 2013) which replaces the Warm Front Scheme under the umbrella of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO).
The new scheme offers grants to eligible applicants for measures such as:
- Free boilers and heating controls
- Free cavity wall insulation
- Free loft insulation
Who might qualify:
- a homeowner
- the tenant of a private-sector landlord
- Households with persons
- in receipt of Child Tax Credit (with a relevant income of less than £15,860)
- in receipt of State Pension Credit
- aged 60 years or over and in receipt of Working Tax Credit (with a relevant income of less than £15,860)
OR
- on any of the following benefits –
- income-related employment and support allowance
- income-based job seeker’s allowance
- income support or
- working tax credit with a relevant income of £15,860 or less
AND WHO ALSO -
- receive the work-related activity or support component of the income-related employment and support allowance;
- have parental responsibility for a child under the age of 16 or up to their 20th birthday if they are in full-time non-advanced education who ordinarily resides with that member;
OR
are in receipt of certain disability payments, including: child tax credit which includes a disability or severe disability element; a disabled child premium; a disability premium, enhanced disability premium or severe disability premium; or a pensioner premium, higher pensioner premium or enhanced pensioner premium.
Print