Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
ECO4 and GBIS are UK Government-backed schemes regulated by Ofgem to provide households with grants to improve their homes via better energy efficiency and greener heating.
ECO4 and GBIS gives medium and large gas and electricity suppliers, including
a responsibility to provide eligible households with financial assistance for energy efficiency and low carbon heating improvements such as
- cavity wall insulation
- external wall insulation
- floor and loft insultation
- solar panels
- electric storage heaters
- first time central heating
- heat pump
- energy efficient boiler (not available through GBIS)
Through GBIS you may qualify for a single insulation measure for free (most likely cavity wall insulation). Other types of insulation are also possible, but will likely require some financial contribution.
How to qualify for ECO4 or GBIS
To qualify for the ECO4 scheme you will need to be a homeowner claiming one of the benefits listed below and your home will need to have an EPC rating of D or lower
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit
- Pension Guarantee Credit
- Pension Savings Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Child Benefit - income dependant
- Housing Benefit
To qualify for GBIS, you’ll need to be
- in a Council Tax band A to E.
- a homeowner or tenant, but renters will need permission from your landlord.
Check eligibilty and apply
Find out if you are eligible for ECO4 or GBIS and make an application via a energy supplier listed above. You can contact an energy supplier regarding ECO4 or GBIS even if the supplier is not your energy provider. You can also check your eligibility for GBIS and start the referral process through the GOV.UK.
Insulation for private sector and Council homes
The Council is working with Home Energy Scotland, Changeworks and partners to help people insulate their homes to make them warmer and cheaper to heat.
Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland: Area Based Schemes
We're now accepting registration for the following projects:
- Drylaw (external wall insulation)
- Sighthill (external wall insulation)
- West Mains (external wall insulation)
- Edinburgh wide (cavity and internal wall insulation)
Please see the Council's webpage for more information on the this opportunity.
Improvement works
The Council is leading on repairs in parts of Lochend, Restalrigs and Oxgangs.
Find out more about the Council's work to make homes safer, warmer and more comfortable through its Mixed Tenure Improvement Service.