Top Eco Funding Schemes

For installers in the UK looking to enhance their business with eco and energy efficiency projects, understanding the top government-funded schemes is crucial. Accessing these funds often requires compliance with standards like PAS 2030 and MCS certification, which Brighter Compliance can help you achieve. Here’s a guide to the leading eco funding schemes and how they support energy-efficient installations for your clients:

1. Energy Company Obligation (ECO4)

What it is: ECO4 is the latest phase of the Energy Company Obligation scheme, designed to improve energy efficiency for low-income households. Funded by major energy companies, ECO4 aims to lower energy bills and carbon emissions through home improvements.

Installations Covered: This funding supports various upgrades, such as insulation, modern heating systems, and renewable energy technology.

Eligibility Requirements: ECO4 is available to homeowners or tenants who receive certain government benefits, focusing on households with low income or high energy needs. For more detailed information, you can visit the Ofgem website which provides comprehensive guidance for installers.

How Brighter Compliance Helps: To access this funding, installers need to meet standards like PAS 2030, which Brighter Compliance helps you achieve, ensuring quality installations that meet regulatory requirements.

2. Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF)

What it is: The SHDF is designed for social housing providers to bring properties up to a minimum EPC rating of C, improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon output. This fund is ideal for large-scale housing improvements.

Installations Covered: Funding includes a range of eco-friendly upgrades such as insulation, efficient heating systems, and renewable energy options.

Eligibility Requirements: Social housing landlords, local authorities, and housing associations can access this funding to upgrade their properties. Meeting compliance standards, like PAS 2035 and resident engagement, is essential.

How Brighter Compliance Helps: Brighter Compliance ensures installations meet the PAS 2035 requirements for retrofit projects, making it easier for installers to confidently work on SHDF-supported projects. We also work with several Principal Contractors across the UK and upon certification are happy to recommend you to them!

3. Home Upgrade Grant (HUG)

What it is: The Home Upgrade Grant targets energy efficiency improvements for homes off the gas grid, which are often in rural areas. This grant lowers energy costs for households with limited heating options.

Installations Covered: The funding supports insulation, efficient electric heating systems, and renewable energy installations.

Eligibility Requirements: Low-income households off the gas grid are eligible. Local councils administer the grant, and applicants must meet specific criteria.

4. Local Authority Delivery (LAD) Scheme

What it is: As part of the Green Homes Grant, the LAD scheme enables local authorities to fund energy-efficient home upgrades in low-income areas.

Installations Covered: Typical upgrades include insulation, low-carbon heating systems, and glazing improvements for homes with poor EPC ratings.

Eligibility Requirements: This scheme focuses on lower-income households identified by local councils, targeting homes with high energy costs.

How Brighter Compliance Helps: Brighter Compliance assists installers in meeting all LAD compliance standards, ensuring that each installation meets the required specifications to qualify for this funding.

5. Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)

What it is: This scheme helps homeowners and small businesses switch from gas boilers to low-carbon heating options, like heat pumps and biomass boilers, with grants covering a significant portion of installation costs.

Installations Covered: Air and ground source heat pumps, biomass boilers, and other low-carbon heating solutions are supported.

Eligibility Requirements: Homeowners and small businesses in England and Wales are eligible, and the grant covers:

£7,500 off the cost and installation of an air source heat pump

£7,500 off the cost and installation of a ground source heat pump, including water source heat pumps

£5,000 off the cost and installation of a biomass boiler

Please find more information from Ofgem.