Is eco4 real?!

vegg

It sounds too good to be true! I definitely qualify. But 2 companies have been out, taken my details and then gone quiet.
I am in Dorset and can't even find where there is a local company doing eco4. Are there any positive stories!? 

QrizB

Yes it's real, there are quite a few successess reported on this forum.

Netexporter

Yes, it's real. I'll be getting a free heat pump and solar panels, shortly.

Reed_Richards

It's real but if you manage to get a quote you may find it is more geared to what will earn the installer the most money within the limits of the scheme than to what you want and what will be cheapest to run when you have it.

Netexporter

But you can cancel up to 24 hours before installation if you don't get the answers you are looking for.

vegg

Thank you everyone, I'm told I'm entitled to the lot in my G rated pre war house but I'm sceptical, I really need to be on the ball, I have a surveyor coming on Monday and lots of questions! 🤔

catnap53

vegg said:

Thank you everyone, I'm told I'm entitled to the lot in my G rated pre war house but I'm sceptical, I really need to be on the ball, I have a surveyor coming on Monday and lots of questions! 🤔

Do you have an update for this? I had a company visit yesterday and was told they can replace my very old boiler. I am very sceptical,  but have a surveyor appointment booked on the understanding that I can cancel. 

Thanks. 

C_Mababejive

It is real but i am more concerned about the quality of the new installations. Who is doing them ? Not all installers are equal.

Netexporter

Do your due diligence on the potential installers, the same as you would if you were directly employing them.

C_Mababejive

A relative has recently had a letter apparently from her local authority stating that they think her property might be eligible and to contact a helpline to discuss.

As it happens, her boiler is probably Z rated and very old. 

She has worked all her life and doesnt claim anything but is a pensioner.

Im not sure how ECO4 works. I assume some kind of assessor visits and give the nod for a grant?

Is the grant likely to cover the full cost of a new boiler?

Can i take that grant to any installer of my choice?

If not why not?

Thanks all

Netexporter

Best to contact the local authority, as long as the helpline is bona fide. The LA are the gate-keepers in that they do the financial vetting to check eligibility. However, different LAs take differing approaches. I had assumed I wasn't eligible because, although I was below the £31000 income level, I wasn't in receipt of any of the listed benefits. However, I am fortunate that my LA has slackened the criteria to just income, so I'll be getting a heat-pump and all associated gear (ie, a complete new central heating system), plus a 4kW solar array to help run it, completely free.

The money goes direct to the installer, so you need to check them out before signing anything.