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

The Council has nominated Warm Wales Community Interest Company to process all applications for  ECO 4 FLEX funding within the Rhondda Cynon Taf area.  

If you think you may be eligible for ECO funding you can apply via one of the approved contractors registered with Warm Wales  Rhondda Cynon Taf Eco Agents - Warm Wales

Installers can  provide you with initial advice around potential eligibility and then undertake any necessary surveys including Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) free of charge. 

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

Please note this grant is not for emergency response assistance and if you have no heating and/or need urgent assistance other agencies may be able to assist you;

Local Energy Advice Partnership The LEAP Boiler Scheme | LEAP (applyforleap.org.uk)  Tel: 0800 060 7567

Energy Saving Trust Welsh Government Warm Homes Nest scheme - Energy Saving Trust Tel: 0808 808 2244

Citizens Advice Citizens Advice Rhondda Cynon Taff - Cyngor ar Bopeth Rhondda Cynon Taff (carct.org.uk) 01443 409284    

Care & Repair Energy Advice  careandrepair.org.uk/agencies/care-repair-cwm-taf/  Tel: 01443 755696

 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

•  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.
• 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 apply to be registered on the Approved Providers List for ECO 4 Flex  please contact Warm Wales Contact Warm Wales - Warm Wales

Information for Installers submitting applications on behalf of applicants:-

• Warm Wales  will only accept applications from installers that are registered on the  Approved Providers List.  Installers that are not yet registered please contact Warm Wales for  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. 

 OTHER SOURCES OF GENERAL ADVICE AND/OR 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

WHAT TO DO IF YOU NEED TO MAKE A COMPLAINT

Trustmark is the only Government endorsed quality scheme for work carried out in or around your home and all ECO installers must be Trustmark registered.  Further information and guidance on their complaints processes can be found here Complaints Process • TrustMark

OFGEM

Although Trustmark is the Government endorsed accreditation body that can assist with individual complaints, Ofgem is the overall administrator of the ECO Scheme.  Ofgem’s role as  overall administrator the ECO programme involves setting targets for each obligated energy supplier, ensuring compliance and monitoring their progress towards these targets. 

However, if you wish to provide any negative feedback about your installation or service received from the ECO Scheme to Ofgem this can be done through their complaints processes  ECO4 Complaints process | Ofgem  

CONTACT US

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.

The Heat & Save Service is currently experiencing an increase in demand which may cause a delay in responding to you. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience and understanding at this time.