The scheme allows residents to access free and low-cost energy efficiency measures such as insulation, renewable heating, and solar panels. Green Home Systems will lead the partnership by identifying applicants, allocate funding, and then deliver the projects.
ECO4 is the current version of the Energy Company Obligation, the UK Government's flagship energy efficiency programme that aims to tackle fuel poverty and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from homes throughout the UK by providing free or heavily subsidised energy efficient home improvements. The guidelines permit each local authority to develop its own eligibility criteria for applicants called 'ECO Flex'. This means that councils can assist fuel poor residents by developing bespoke eligibility routes that best serve the local population.
This appointment comes on the back of Green Home Systems successful delivery of a £1M ECO4 trial which saw the average energy bill of participating households fall by £2,079 per per year. Following the upgrades each home achieved the top Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of A or B, and a total of 120 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year was abated. Each home was upgraded to the highest retrofit specifications as set out by the government-recognised PAS2030/35 and Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) installation standards, and quality assurance was provided by TrustMark, the UK Government's only endorsed quality scheme for work carried out in or around domestic homes.
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Green Home Systems has considerable experience delivering ECO energy saving measures to households across Scotland. It is an accredited energy efficiency specialist holding multiple industry qualifications and provides a wide range of energy efficiency services including thermal insulation, smart heating systems, renewable energy technologies and electric vehicle charge points. Established in 2014, the company has completed over 16,500 energy efficiency projects, lifted over 7,000 families out of fuel poverty and abated more than 500,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
Councillor Tony Gurney, Cabinet Member for Economy and Climate Change at North Ayrshire Council said: "We have already launched a series of measures through our Energy Smart initiatives to support people through these challenging times.
"The ECO4 Flex funding targets properties – both owner-occupied and privately-rented – which have poor energy efficiency, and therefore higher energy bills.
"We are confident this scheme will make a significant and positive difference to occupiers who are struggling to pay their bills."
Steven Easton, Chairman at Green Home Systems, said: "With the increased cost of living and the energy crisis causing considerable hardship to families throughout North Ayrshire, this appointment provides a real opportunity for residents to access significant levels of grant funding to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.
"Upgrading insulation and installing renewable energy systems will make a huge difference to families living in fuel poverty, and the impact of these energy efficiency measures will go further by lowering energy bills and increasing household disposal income, creating warm and healthy homes for families to live in, generating new green jobs in the local economy, and decarbonising our housing stock to create a net zero country.
"We are really excited about North Ayrshire's ECO Flex programme and the community wealth building opportunities it will create."
