ECO4 Flex

Aar0sc

Van_Girl said:

I've had my quote for EWI, solar & ASHP through Eco4 LA Flex. My expected contribution was £20k which I just can't justify. The overall cost of works was £44k. 

They also didn't include for removing my oil tank, which would just increase the cost to me. 

Council is Flintshire

It might be a sizable grant contribution, but realistically, for most people with a household income of less than £30k, I can't see how a £20k payment from their own pocket would be feasible. 

Edit to say, contribution aside, the "design" included adding an extra radiator to every room.... My room sizes are petite to say the least, and I also don't have any available wall space. So it was just all a bit unworkable

That's worth knowing. If I have to pay more than a few thousand upfront I won't be able to, and to help things out, my partner's just lost their job. 

I did wonder if a stumbling block was that in Wales you need planning for an air source heat pump, and no one's been out to chose a location...

JayR09

Aar0sc said:

I've fitted good double glazing to the front of the house, and that's made a substantial different. I've got solid stone walls, but I've left them bare as I was under the impression ECO4 would take back any covering I put on back to bare stone anyway. However I was approved for it back in January, I've had two surveys, and absolutely nothing since, despite a few emails and calls. 

Just out of curiosity have you tried applying with a different company under the standard ECO4? with a G rated house you should be eligible and unless they have started the measures im sure your not obliged to stick with them.

Harvs94

I'm eligible under this scheme and so far I've been told its zero contribution from myself, the entire thing is funded. This is for top up loft insulation, cavity wall, (possibly room-in-roof, grey area at the moment), air source heat pump and solar panels. 

However, I've also been told its all or nothing, if I don't accept the heat pump I won't get anything, despite being eligible? 

Is this correct in anyone's experience? I can't believe that they have to force you down this route.

CSI_Yorkshire

I think if they're offering you a big stack of free cash, they can add almost any caveat they choose.

MobileSaver

Harvs94 said:

I've been told its zero contribution from myself, ...  I've also been told it's all or nothing, if I don't accept the heat pump I won't get anything, despite being eligible? ...  Is this correct in anyone's experience?

This is correct. Eco 4 funding is only awarded if the entire project installation improves your EPC by at least 2 bands, so you do not get to pick and choose which bits you want (unless you want to pay for such measures yourself!)

However, before committing to any work, there is nothing to stop you agreeing in advance with the supplier that your existing boiler is to remain in place (albeit disconnected as part of the project) and then you yourself arranging for it to be reconnected once the project has been completed and signed off...

Harvs94

Ok thanks for clarifying. 

Is the ECO4 the same as the LA Flex Funding scheme? I've had mentions to both throughout emails and they appear to be the same thing online?

Harvs94

Also I like the idea of reconnecting the boiler if need be, however not sure how simple that would be if any of the pipework internally is changed, and the hwc would also be changed when the heatpump goes in, are these cross compatible? As I understand in simple terms, they require a larger coil for ashp to compensate for the lower flow temps or something like that. 

CSI_Yorkshire

Then you can just run your boiler at the new lower temperature.

FreeBear

Harvs94 said:

Also I like the idea of reconnecting the boiler if need be, however not sure how simple that would be if any of the pipework internally is changed, and the hwc would also be changed when the heatpump goes in, are these cross compatible? As I understand in simple terms, they require a larger coil for ashp to compensate for the lower flow temps or something like that. 

Having a gas (or any other fuel) boiler connected to a heating system powered by a heat pump is a non-trivial exercise - One way is to have a thermal store (basically, a big insulated water tank) that stores the heat from multiple sources and then pumps it around the CH system. Another is to fit a heat exchanger, but that assumes the heating system has been designed to accommodate one. Fortunately, there are a few ASHP systems being marketed as hybrids and use a gas boiler on really cold days when the ASHP efficiencies would be low. 

QrizB

MobileSaver said:

However, before committing to any work, there is nothing to stop you agreeing in advance with the supplier that your existing boiler is to remain in place (albeit disconnected as part of the project) and then you yourself arranging for it to be reconnected once the project has been completed and signed off...

There's nothing to stop you asking, but you won't qualify for the grant unless they decommission the boiler.

Disconnection won't be enough.