UPDATE: In March 2023 the UK government renamed the ECO+ scheme to the Great British Insulation Scheme. Click here to read the updated article.

In November 2022, the UK Government announced the £1 billion ECO+ scheme. It’s an extension of ECO4 - the latest phase of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme that was introduced in 2013 to help people struggling with their energy bills.

The ECO4 scheme requires energy suppliers to help people on low incomes - and those who are considered in poverty due to high fuel payments - make their homes more energy efficient.

ECO+ will focus on helping more homeowners install low-cost insulation, including loft insulation, underfloor insulation and cavity wall insulation. It’s thought that this extra funding could benefit around 400,000 households that don’t qualify for the ECO4 scheme.

The new ECO+ grant will be accessible through the Snugg platform in April 2023 for qualifying homeowners living in eligible postcodes.

How could ECO+ benefit you?

With ECO+, you could receive financial assistance for one of the following types of energy efficiency installations:

• Cavity wall insulation
• Solid wall insulation (both external and internal)
• Loft insulation
• Pitched roof insulation
• Flat roof insulation
• Underfloor insulation
• Solid floor insulation
• Park home insulation
• Room-in-roof insulation

Those applying to the ECO+ scheme are limited to choosing just one of these options. But homeowners with a low income can apply for assistance with other measures through the ECO4 scheme.

According to the UK Government, “Insulation is the best long-term solution to reducing fuel poverty.” So it makes sense that all ECO+ assistance focuses on insulation for now.

How much support could you get?

The ECO+ scheme is intended to help people who either:

• live in low-income or vulnerable households
• live in homes with an EPC of D or worse
• live in homes with low council tax bands (A-D in England, A-E in Scotland and A-C in Wales)
• haven’t had any other form of funding from the UK Government towards the cost of improving their home’s energy efficiency

In particular, around 80% of the £1bn funding is intended to support those living in homes with an EPC of D or worse. Around half of homes in the UK fall within this category.

You don’t have to own your home to qualify for support, so renters (subject to approval from their landlords) may be covered too. There are additional requirements for rental properties.

The amount of support you receive will depend on your specific circumstances. Applications will be assessed based on which of the following two categories you fall into:

• Low income group

• Those with an EPC rating of D or worse, AND;
• either receive a means-tested benefit, live in the least efficient social housing, or are referred by local authority, devolved administration or energy supplier participating under the flexible eligibility element of the scheme.

• General group

• Those living in council tax bands A-D in England, A-E in Scotland and A-C in Wales, AND;
• with an EPC rating of D or worse.

The exact amount of funding you receive will be decided when your application’s reviewed. You could receive part of full funding depending on your circumstances.

How do you apply for ECO+?

Snugg customers will be able to find out whether they qualify for an ECO+ grant directly from the Snugg platform from April 2023. Conveniently, they’ll be able to apply for the grant without leaving the site.

You could also apply for the ECO+ grant by contacting your energy provider.

If you’re not a Snugg customer, you can sign up here for free.