Are you one of the millions affected by the latest hikes in energy prices? Experts fear energy bills will double by 2020, so if you believed current times to be hard, they’re set to get even worse. British Gas and SSE are just two of the large UK companies to announce increased gas and electricity prices from November, ahead of what’s expected to be one of the coldest winters on record.
And the Government have set out a scheme to help homeowners counter these rising energy prices, known as the ECO scheme. Introduced in January 2013, the ECO scheme is designed to help the most vulnerable households in the UK keep expenses down, with aid to improve home energy efficiency.
The scheme is funded by the UK’s big six energy suppliers: British Gas, EDF, Npower, SSE, Scottish Power and E.ON. In total, around £1.3 billion is funded each year.
With the scheme you could be eligible to receive a free replacement boiler, which would help to reduce energy bills by over £300 annually, keeping you warmer for less in the foreseeable future.
How do I qualify?
Successful applicants must meet stringent criteria to become eligible for the scheme. Along with others, this includes:
- Being a homeowner or privately renting
This is pretty self-explanatory. If you rent, you’ll need permission from the landlord upon application.
- Receiving Government benefits
To qualify for the ECO scheme you must be in receipt of benefits such as pension credit, child tax credits or income related benefits. Those with a child under 16 or receiving disability allowance could also qualify.
- Having an inefficient boiler
The scheme only includes homes with old and inefficient boilers. These could be working at just 70% efficiency and are likely to be older than 10-years. The ECO scheme does not cover LPG or oil-fired boilers.
Why not find out if you’re eligible for a free replacement boiler?