ECO 4 Flex Funding

The scheme is running until March 2026 and measures offered include insulation and heating.  The scheme aims to reduce fuel poverty and energy bills as well as carbon emissions.

Further information on the scheme is available here Energy Company Obligation (ECO) | Ofgem.

Details of the eligibility criteria are shown in our Statement of Intent.

If you or another member of your household meets any of the following eligibility criteria you may be eligible :

• Have a gross household income under £31,000
• Have a severe and/or long term health condition that is adversely affected by living in a cold home – (confirmation required by NHS referral from either Local Health Board or GP)
• Proxies – must meet a combination of two of the following proxies but proxy 1 & 3 cannot be used together;

• • Proxy 1: Homes in Welsh provision LSOA 1-3 on the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation 2019 which are Tylorstown 1, Penrhiwceiber 1, and Penywaun 2.  To check if your postcode is in the boundary click here WIMD (dataunitwales.gov.uk) Further information and an online interactive map is also available here WIMD - Explore (gov.wales)
  • Proxy 2: Householders receiving a Council Tax rebate (rebates based on low income only, excludes single person rebates)
  • Proxy 3: Householders vulnerable to living in a cold home as identified in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guidance. 
  • Proxy 4: A householder receiving free school meals due to low-income
  • Proxy 5: Currently unavailable
  • Proxy 6: A person living at the premises has been referred to the LA for support by their energy supplier, Citizen Advice because they have been identified by the referrer as struggling to pay their gas or electricity bills.   

TO APPLY FOR ECO 4 FLEX FUNDING ASSISTANCE

To apply for ECO 4 FLEX funding you should contact one of the Council’s Approved Providers/Installers  who will facilitate the application process. Installers can also provide you with initial advice around potential eligibility and then undertake any necessary surveys including Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) free of charge. 

Please find all evidence you will be required to provide during your application here.

Please note that the Council does not endorse any specific energy supplier, grant agent, installer or company. 

Information for Installers submitting applications on behalf of applicants:-

• We will only accept applications from installers that are registered on the Council’s Approved Providers List.  Installers that are not yet registered please refer to the information on how to apply to be registered
• Applications will not be assessed unless they are submitted with necessary evidence i.e. proof of ownership, proof of occupancy (as relevant to scheme guidance) along with the required evidence of eligibility for occupants
• Installers to complete and submit the Contractor Notification of Measures Form (this can be done at application stage or later but submitting with the initial application is preferable)

Failure to provide the above at the time of application may cause delays to assessment.

If you know the energy performance of your home and feel you may meet the eligibility criteria you can apply direct.  If you don’t know your EPC rating you can check online free of charge to see if there is an EPC registered for your home https://www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate . We would still advise that you contact an installer in the first instance to discuss.

If you are having difficulty selecting an installer or just need further information on the scheme,  please contact our Heat & Save team on 01443 281136 or email heatandsave@rctcbc.gov.uk for further advice and support

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

•  A range of energy measures are available under the scheme and are dependent upon the energy performance of your home and what measures are technically suitable. A home energy assessment will be undertaken by the installation company who can then offer further advice on potential measures and your eligibility.
• Levels of funding varies and can range from fully funded to partial funded measures that require a customer contribution.  Funding levels can fluctuate through the duration of the scheme (which is running until March 2026).  Households needing customer contributions are advised to ‘shop around’ to find the best deal available at that time.
• All installers carrying out works under the ECO 4 programme must be registered with the Government Endorsed Scheme through ‘Trustmark’.  To check whether a company is registered and accredited please check online Find trusted tradespeople with the only Government Endorsed Quality Scheme • TrustMark
• The Council’s role is to publish the scheme criteria and verify household eligibility and we do not have any direct control over funding levels or availability of funding through the scheme. 
• All contractual relationships are between the homeowner and the installer undertaking the works.  The selection of a contractor is based on own customer choice and it is important that residents proceed with the same caution they would when purchasing other types of home improvements or services. 
• Before agreeing to any works, residents are advised to take their time and make their own enquiries.   Don’t be pressurised into making a decision. 
• If there is a resident contribution to pay then seek multiple quotes and look for best value.  If you need assistance with customer contribution then you can seek if you are also eligible for other types of funding that may assist (see heat and save pages)
• When participating in any ECO 4 scheme residents are advised to ensure that you are provided with all the necessary warranties and/or after care information following the completion of the works as well as keeping a record of company details and any contractual documentation. 
• If you feel a company is not genuine then this should be reported to Citizens Advice Consumer Advice Services telephone 0808 223 1133 or online  Citizens Advice.  This service is also able to provide further information on your consumer rights.  For fraudulent activity the Council’s Trading Standards Service can offer further advice and guidance 01443 425001. tradingstandards@rctcbc.gov.uk  Fair Trading | Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council (rctcbc.gov.uk)
• Some residents may find that they are eligible for more than one energy scheme (such as Welsh Government’s Nest and ECO 4).  Residents are advised to consider all options available to them before agreeing to proceed with any energy efficiency installations, bearing in mind that once you receive assistance from one scheme you may no longer be eligible for measures from a different scheme. If you are unsure of what assistance may be available to you please contact the Heat & Save Team

INSTALLER INFORMATION

If you are an installer or ECO4 agent and wish to participate in the ECO4 Scheme please apply through Sell2Wales.  The application can be accessed through (etenderwales system) ITT_97734 RCTCBC Delivery of Domestic Energy Efficiency Measures Approved Providers List 

 The Council’s Heat & Save team provides information and assistance on a range of energy efficiency grants and support available.  For further assistance please contact 01443 281136 heatandsave@rctcbc.gov.uk 

 OTHER SOURCES OF ASSISTANCE

Speak to an adviser at the Energy Saving Trust

Find Ways to Save Energy in Your Home
Telephone: 0800 098 7950
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (except bank holidays)
Saturday, 9am to 12pm
Contact us - Energy Saving Trust

OFGEM

If you need to make a complaint about your installation

Our role as administrator of ECO involves setting targets for each obligated energy supplier, ensuring compliance and monitoring their progress towards these targets. We have no oversight of the contractual arrangements between the obligated energy suppliers and those that install energy efficiency measures on their behalf. As such, our ability to help you resolve a complaint is limited. However, we encourage you to get in touch with any feedback on any negative consumer experiences you may have had. This enables our work with industry to help improve standards.

For more information on resolving your complaint visit our dedicated page.

 Ofgem is the overall administrator of the scheme and any residents needing to make any complaints relating to any of the schemes delivered under ECO 4 can find further information at

ECO4 Complaints process | Ofgem

 For further information please contact the Heat & Save Team on Tel: 01443 281136 or email heatandsave@rctcbc.gov.uk