How do ECO4 grants work?

chilswelluk

I see there are lots of companies pushing this grant and wanting you to apply through them, but what is the best way to go about applying for the grant? Is it necessary to go to one of these approved companies?  Is there anyway to apply direct to the government and then choose my supplier?  I certainly don't want to be paying people / taking up expense for them to fill a form out for  me.  I am mainly interested in solar panels for the grant.

I have a band E energy rating, so qualify on that respect.  But I earn about 43k a year through my salary, plus extra income from a business.  But I have medical conditions (Asthma), so I believe I can still benefit from the grant even though I fall outside the normal income and don't claim any benefits. 

Netexporter

I thought I didn't qualify, as although I my income is below the threshold, I wasn't in receipt of benefits. Luckily for me, my local authority, who are the financial gate-keepers, have relaxed the benefits rule, to increase take-up of the scheme.

You don't really get much choice. Yes, it has to be an approved contractor, although sometimes the applications are done by brokers, who have a number of contractors on their list, depending on the type of work required. You don't pay for any surveys.

chilswelluk

Netexporter said:

You don't really get much choice. Yes, it has to be an approved contractor, although sometimes the applications are done by brokers.

So how do I know what companies to go to?  They all want to sign you up.  Surely some are better than others and give more value.  Do these companies tell you what you can and can't have?  If I had my way I would want all the funding to go into solar panels. 

Netexporter

Do some research on the internet.

Alnat1

There's no set amount that will be spent, the companies will claim all they can, so expect upgraded insulation, solar (might have to pay for a battery yourself) and they might even say a heat pump to replace a gas/oil boiler.

It's not your decision what they decide to upgrade but it is your decision if you agree to go with that company or not. You could ask several companies to come and do a survey. Most people are happy to get as much as possible done, as it's for free.

Reed_Richards

The downside is that you don't get to say what you want done, the company will make you an offer and you have to choose to accept it or not.  

chilswelluk

Reed_Richards said:

The downside is that you don't get to say what you want done, the company will make you an offer and you have to choose to accept it or not.  

So if the company makes me an offer and I am not happy (e.g. not the level of solar provision that I want), I can just decline their offer and start the process with someone else?  If I am up front with them and insist on what I want, then surely they will try and accommodate me? The alternative would be zero business for them if I reject their offer.

chilswelluk

Alnat1 said:

There's no set amount that will be spent, the companies will claim all they can, so expect upgraded insulation, solar (might have to pay for a battery yourself) and they might even say a heat pump to replace a gas/oil boiler.

It's not your decision what they decide to upgrade but it is your decision if you agree to go with that company or not. You could ask several companies to come and do a survey. Most people are happy to get as much as possible done, as it's for free.

So I can ask many companies to come and do a survey at zero cost to myself and pick the one that presents with the most favorable package for me?  I would like to get a solar panel installation with something like a Tesla power wall.  Is that realistic?

Netexporter

 Is that realistic?

No.

You can negotiate for betterment, at your expense, with some companies, but it is not a right.

Alnat1

The company will survey your house and give details of what they would do to make it more energy efficient. This can include loft/cavity wall/underfloor insulation, boiler upgrade or heat pump installation and solar panels. It's not a list where you pick what you fancy, it's a total package and the company are unlikely to specify which brands they would fit. You will absolutely definitely not get a powerwall for free.

BarelySentientAI

chilswelluk said:

Reed_Richards said:

The downside is that you don't get to say what you want done, the company will make you an offer and you have to choose to accept it or not.  

So if the company makes me an offer and I am not happy (e.g. not the level of solar provision that I want), I can just decline their offer and start the process with someone else?  If I am up front with them and insist on what I want, then surely they will try and accommodate me? The alternative would be zero business for them if I reject their offer.

And if they do somehow decide to fit exactly what you want (which from your later post appears to be a state-of-the-art, specific brand solution), then they would make a massive loss on the job because all the unnecessary bits are not covered by the funding.