The Energy Company Obligation Scheme

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) Scheme

The ECO4 scheme, due to operate from July 2022 to March 2026, is the fourth phase of The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) – a national government scheme that makes private sector UK homes more energy efficient and tackles fuel poverty.

As part of the ECO4 scheme, local authorities can volunteer to participate in ECO4 Flex to identify eligible households. To participate, the authority will need to publish a Statement of Intent that outlines their intention to participate in the scheme and their commitment to follow the scheme rules. Registered Providers (generally the larger energy companies) can use the ECO4 Flex route to identify up to 50% of the households needed to receive home energy works to meet their obligation.

Any residents who wish to apply for ECO4 or the Bradford ECO4 Flexible Eligibility Scheme must first find an accredited installer with an account with an ECO Registered Provider, who can carry out eligible works on their home and make an application on their behalf.

Statement of Intent for ECO4 Flexible Eligibility

The Bradford ECO4 Flexible Eligibility Scheme is now live.

The ECO4 Order outlines four separate routes to identify low income and vulnerable households under ECO4 Flex. These are:

Route 1: Household Income

Route 2: Proxy Targeting

Route 3: NHS Referrals

Route 4: Bespoke Targeting

The Council must ensure that each application meets one of the four eligibility routes and must collect evidence to demonstrate this. There must also be a valid pre-works EPC for the property, to be submitted along with the application.

The following proof will be accepted for Route 1 applications:

• Tax returns, if within the past three months
• Payslips from the last three months
• Bank statements within the last three months proving income payments, including non means tested benefits
• P45 or P60 documentation, so long as the household’s annual income is visible

The Council can only accept applications from an accredited installer with an account with an ECO Registered Provider, on behalf of a householder who meets the qualification criteria of the ECO4 Flexible Eligibility Scheme and who lives in a suitable private sector (owner occupied or private rented) domestic property. Both the Bradford ECO4 Flex Installer Form and the Bradford ECO4 Flex Application Form must quote the installer’s Trustmark Business ID number. Please note that applications must come from the installer, rather than the householder.

The Installer must complete and return the ECO4 flex installer form, the ECO4 flex application form (duly completed and signed by the householder), a valid pre-works EPC and proof of household income / qualification by email to BEEnergy@bradford.gov.uk.

The installer must ensure that the householder retains a copy of the Bradford Council Privacy Notice for the scheme.

Both the Council and the Installer must retain evidence for the duration of the scheme.

If an installer wishes to make an application under Route 2, Route 3 or Route 4, then they should first contact the Bradford Council Energy Team on 01274 432497.

Please note that a Bradford ECO4 Flex Declaration does not imply any endorsement of the installer by Bradford Council, or that there is any relationship between the Council and the installer.

The ECO4 Flexible Eligibility Scheme is administered by Ofgem (the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets) on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), who set the overall policy for the scheme.