Energy Efficiency

The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has published a website dedicated to improving energy in the home. This is available at the Simple Energy Advice website. 

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO)

What is ECO and what measures are available?

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) places legal obligations on energy suppliers to deliver energy efficiency and heating measures to eligible households. The main objective of ECO4 is to reduce fuel poverty by improving the least energy efficient homes occupied by low income, vulnerable and fuel poor households. It also seeks to contribute towards a reduction in carbon emissions.

Eligible households can receive funding from obligated suppliers towards a range of measures including the replacement of broken heating systems, the upgrade of inefficient systems and the installation of insulation.

The Electricity and Gas (Energy Company Obligation) Order 2022 (ECO4 Order), or the "ECO4" scheme, covers the period from 1 April 2022 until 31 March 2026. Customers who are part of the 'core group' of the Warm Home Discount scheme or are in receipt of certain benefits are eligible for ECO.  Local authorities can also declare that households are eligible for ECO through ECO4 flexible eligibility or "ECO4 Flex".

Where can I find out more information?

Ofgem (the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets) administers the scheme on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) who set the overall policy for the scheme.

Find answers to common questions about the ECO scheme.

Who is eligible under ECO4 Flex and how do I apply?

For a household to be assessed for ECO4 Flex eligibility we require a completed application form, along with supporting documents, such as proof of income. The ECO4 Flex eligibility criteria are detailed in our ‘Statement of Intent’, a document outlining our approach to ECO4 Flex .

Once we have confirmed a household's eligibility, we will provide a written declaration that a household qualifies for support under ECO4 Flex. To make an application for an ECO4 Flex declaration of eligibility, households will need to apply through an approved contractor, participating energy supplier or by completing and returning the below form to us at fuelpoverty@hastings.gov.uk

Great British Insulation Scheme and ECO4 Flex householder application form (.doc)

A list of participating energy suppliers is available on the Ofgem website, and a list of currently onboarded approved contractors is available below, alongside their contact details. Please note: residents must do their own due diligence in selecting a contractor, and Hastings Borough Council cannot recommend a specific contractor.

Due to the nature of the scheme, we recommend getting in touch with several energy companies and/or approved contractors in order to find the best offerings available for your household.

Residents in East Sussex can get advice and support in applying for ECO4, alongside support with other funding options or energy issues from the Warm Home Check service, either through the form on the Warm East Sussex website, by texting WARMHOME to 88440, or by calling their freephone number at 0800 464 7307.

If you are a contractor and you wish to obtain a declaration of eligibility for a household in East Sussex, please email fuelpoverty@hastings.gov.uk for an application form. Please be aware that prior to considering any applications, you will need to provide a letter from the energy supply company funding the ECO Flex measure(s) confirming you are acting directly on behalf of the energy supplier and you have authorisation to install ECO Flex measure(s) on their behalf.

Where is your Statement of Intent?

Our joint Statement of Intent for ECO4 Flex sets out flexible eligibility criteria used by all local authorities in East Sussex for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme from April 2022 - March 2026 and was published on 7th August 2024.

• East Sussex ECO4 Flex Statement of Intent - version 3.0

Hastings Borough Council assesses applications and issues the ECO4 Flexible Eligibility Declaration for its own residents and for the residents of other districts/boroughs on behalf of Eastbourne Borough Council, Lewes District Council, Rother District Council and Wealden District Council only.
This Statement of Intent replaces the previous ECO4 Flex versions which can be found here:

• East Sussex ECO4 Flex Statement of Intent - version 1.0
• East Sussex ECO4 Flex Statement of Intent - version 2.0
• Eco Flex Statement of Intent Version 1.0 - December 2017
• Eco Flex Statement of Intent Version 2.0 - November 2018

Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA)

The Home Energy Conservation Act specifically concerns domestic energy efficiency; however it also contributes to the wider agenda to ensure energy supplies are smarter, cleaner, more secure and affordable.

The Act requires all local authorities to report on what is being done to improve energy efficiency in all residential accommodation in their areas.

• Hastings Borough Council HECA Report 2017
• Hastings Borough Council HECA Report 2019
• Hastings Borough Council HECA Report 2021
• Hastings Borough Council HECA Report 2023