Current schemes, Grants and Funding
Energy Company Obligation
Flexible Eligibility, Statement of Intent
What is ECO?
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO), first introduced in 2013, is an energy efficiency scheme for Great Britain that places legal obligations on energy suppliers to deliver energy efficiency measures to domestic premises. The fourth wave of the scheme (ECO4) runs to 31 March 2026.
Compared to previous waves, ECO4 focuses on improving the least energy efficient homes, as only properties in EPC (energy performance certificate) band D-G can be treated. It also requires a more complete upgrade of those homes, shifting to a fabric-first multi-measure whole-house retrofit approach which prioritises the installation of insulation before considering other measures, such as air source heat pumps (for heating and hot water) and solar PV.
What is ECO4 Flexible Eligibility?
The main objective of ECO is to reduce fuel poverty by improving the least energy efficient housing occupied by low income and vulnerable households. One route that can be used to identify these households is through Local Authority Flexible Eligibility or LA Flex.
Under LA Flex, a participating Local Authority can refer owner-occupiers and private tenants that it considers to be living in fuel poverty or on a low income and vulnerable to the effects of living in a cold home. To view our eligibility criteria please see our statement of intent:
GMCA ECO4 and GBIS Flexible Eligibility Statement of Intent v5 (greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk)
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) ECO4 LA Flex Approved Installer List
GMCA have developed a list of three qualified installers who can help assess the needs of eligible households and install energy efficiency measures in Tameside. Installers currently working with Tameside Council on this scheme are 0800 Repair and Improveasy.
| Districts | Installer | Contact |
| Tameside | PHS Home Solutions Ltd T/A 0800 Repair  | www.0800repair.com 0800 737 247 |
| Tameside | Improveasy Ltd | 0800 024 8505 |
How to apply
0800 Repair and Improveasy are our approved installers and are available to identify which qualifying works may be appropriate for your home and if they can be funded through the ECO4 scheme. If you think you are eligible, please apply through Greater Manchester’s Retrofit Portal.
To find out more please visit ECO - FAQs - Greater Manchester Combined Authority (greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk) for frequently asked questions about the scheme
Your Home Better
What is Your Home, Better?
Your Home, Better is an independent service delivered by retrofit experts, providing advice, planning and delivery to help reduce the costs of your bills as well as carbon emissions associated with home energy and heating.
Experts can deliver a ‘whole house’ assessment of homes and provide homeowners with a bespoke plan – giving them information about how their home’s energy performance can be upgraded, what needs to be done and in what order. Your Home, Better does not offer grants or funding, but can identify sources that could help towards the costs of home energy projects.
The service will initially focus on the 31 per cent of Greater Manchester homeowners who have expressed a desire to pay for some form of retrofit in the next five years with the right assurances and support. It builds on the £27million that Greater Manchester Combined Authority invested earlier in 2022 through the Green Homes Grant, which is supporting lower income households in or at risk of fuel poverty with grants of up to £10,000 to make their homes warmer, reduce their energy bills, and help protect the environment.
- Find out more and get in touch via the Your Home, Better website (opens in a new window)
- Read more about the launch of Your Home, Better
Local Energy Advice Programme (LEAP)
How it Works
Once we’ve checked your eligibility, you will get a FREE home visit from a qualified Home Energy Advisor who can help
- Install FREE simple home energy measures (LED lighting, draught proofing etc)
- Give you day to day energy efficiency hints and tips and make sure your heating controller is working correctly
- Help you check if you are on the cheapest tariff
- Arrange a FREE telephone advice service to help with benefits, money and bill problems
- Refer you for further energy efficiency improvements such as loft or cavity wall insulation and in some instances a new boiler..
For more information about the scheme visit www.applyforleap.org.uk or call 0800 060 7567
Warm Homes Discount Scheme
This is a £150 rebate off electricity bills and is offered to certain groups of people by energy companies.
If you receive pension credit guarantee, you will receive this payment automatically.
Other low income or vulnerable households may also be eligible. However, this won't be paid automatically, so you are advised to ring your utility provider and check if you qualify.
- The Warm Home Discount Scheme – Gov.uk website
Winter Fuel Payment
The winter fuel payment is a tax free annual benefit for those over State Pension age.
Most payments are made automatically between November and December. If you qualify but don’t get paid automatically you can phone the Winter Fuel Helpline on 08459 15 15 15 or visit the web link below.
- Winter Fuel Payment - Gov.uk website
Cold Weather Payment
You may get a Cold Weather Payment if you’re getting certain benefits.
Payments are made when your local temperature is either recorded as, or forecast to be, an average of zero degrees Celsius or below over 7 consecutive days.
You will receive £25.00 for any qualifying week.
Payments are automatic so you do not need to apply.
- Cold Weather Payment - Gov.uk website
Trust Fund Grants
Many utility suppliers run Trust Fund grants to help customers in financial difficulty. These can help to clear fuel debts and even pay for household goods and appliances if necessary.
British Gas - www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/
Eon - - E.ON Next Energy Fund (eonnextenergyfund.com)
EDF Energy - EDF Energy Fund | EDF Energy Customer Support Fund | Charis (charisgrants.com)
United Utilities - www.uutf.org.uk/app.htm
Nationally Available Grants
There are a number of schemes available to help with the cost of fitting energy-saving improvements in your home.