Energy Company Obligation scheme

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme supports low income and vulnerable households by providing energy upgrades to their homes.

It is funded by energy suppliers who have an obligation to improve the least energy-efficient homes. This will help meet the Government’s fuel poverty and net zero commitments.

These energy suppliers are funding installation companies to make improvements around heating, insulation and solar panels.

The programme will end in March 2026.

Eligibility 

Eligibility for ECO4 is based on a household’s financial situation and their property's current energy efficiency rating, which is shown on your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

Only homeowners and private tenants are eligible, while private tenants must have the support of their landlord. Both owner-occupiers and landlords may be asked by an installer to contribute towards the cost of the works.

Social tenants should speak with their landlord if they need improvements to their property.

Please note that all measures are subject to the property receiving a satisfactory survey from a qualified installer and being technically and financially feasible under the funding available within the programme.

How to benefit from ECO 

Households are not able to apply directly for ECO. The funding must be provided to accredited installers who will install measures on the household’s behalf.

If you would like assistance to improve your home’s energy efficiency, or have any questions about ECO, then please contact Warm Homes Sheffield on 0800 107 8882.

Warm Homes Sheffield has been set up by Sheffield City Council in partnership with AgilityEco to provide Sheffield residents with a straightforward way to access all the various energy efficiency programmes and support available. A friendly advisor will be able to have a conversation with you about your situation and will seek to understand what support you may be eligible for.

An installer may approach households directly or advertise what opportunities are available. 

ECO Flex

Councils are allowed to identify fuel-poor and vulnerable households that are not in receipt of means-tested benefits but who may benefit from heating and energy saving measures.

Sheffield City Council is supporting installers to spend more ECO4 funding in Sheffield by making households eligible via ECO Flex, which is in collaboration with energy experts AgilityEco.

ECO Flex eligibility

On receipt of a qualifying application from an installer, the council can provide an ECO Flex declaration. This confirms eligibility for ECO funding.

It is up to the installer to secure the necessary information from households. For example: the property must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E or less (sometimes also D) and must be technically suitable for improvement measures.

It is the installer’s responsibility to confirm this information via a home survey.

As per Sheffield City Council’s Statement of Intent, the following households may be eligible to receive an ECO flex declaration, which will be provided to an accredited installer working with that household.