A new survey has shown that the government’s Energy Companies Obligation (ECO) Boiler Grant Scheme has saved the majority of recipients £200 a year, though opinions on whether or not the scheme has been successful are mixed. Early adopters – mostly pensioners and recipients of child tax credit – say they are extremely pleased with the savings, as well as the quality of their new boiler.
However, whilst 53% of respondents had a boiler replaced successfully, the other 47% failed to receive a boiler, even though they met the eligibility criteria. Some had their appointments cancelled – without explanation – just before the start of winter. While others were unable to meet the financial contributions; 8% had to pay in excess of £500 for remedial work, including boiler relocation, and changes to the flue and chimney.
The ECO scheme, which launched at the start of 2013, requires the larger energy companies to help low income households become more energy efficient. Although funding was readily available and trickled out to approved installers at attractive rates initially, funding rates have since been reduced. Consequently, installers have had to start allocating the grant based on the likely savings made by each property.
This June, Holmes Media surveyed 50,000 of its boiler grant enquirers who qualified for the Government’s ECO Boiler Grant Scheme to gauge its success. It found that the financial contribution that many benefit claimants have had to make, and the lack of communication from installers following the homeowners’ survey have made many potential recipients dubious about the integrity of the scheme.
Some of the findings not already mentioned were as follows:
- 90% of the survey responses were from homeowners, particularly pensioners and child tax credit recipients (with an income below £16,010).
- Private tenants made up the rest of the audience, of which a small proportion were encouraged to apply by their landlords.
- In contrast to fuel poverty results, the greatest uptake of the grant came from the south of England.
- Vaillant was the most popular brand of replacement boiler.
- Many of the homeowners who qualified have also taken advantage of another benefit from ECO: loft insulation.
Reflecting on the findings, Holmes Media’s MD David Holmes suggested that: “Whilst the level of energy savings are encouraging, it’s clear that many applicants were unable to proceed due to the requirement of a financial contribution. The topping up of grants became almost a necessity following the watering down of ECO in 2014 and low income households simply cannot afford to proceed. If the government is serious about tackling climate change and fuel poverty, we need a sustainable and dependable scheme that helps those who need it most and ensures industry stability in the delivery of such measures.”
