Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
So, how can Eco Bear help me to reduce my bills? And how does that help the environment?
Eco Bear will assess your eligibility for the UK Government's ECO4 Scheme and/or any other scheme that you might be eligible for. Once we have determined what you are entitled to, we will then arrange for a fully accredited Engineer to visit your property to do a survey. Subject to your property being suitable, you can then apply for your government or other (e.g. council) grant!
Improving your home's heating efficiency means you'll use less energy for the same result, which means you'll pay less on your bills and your home will have a lower energy footprint reducing the harm caused to the environment - particularly the Arctic and Antarctic regions where the animals depend on sea ice to survive. So, you win by saving money and the polar animals win by you helping to keep their world from melting.
That sounds great, but what's the catch - how much does Eco Bear charge for this?
There's no catch - the world is experiencing dangerous climate change and the UK Government has committed to play it's part in reducing this danger. Eco Bear will charge YOU absolutely nothing. We are a completely FREE service funded by referral fees paid for by the UK's six largest energy providers and other companies or bodies who have committed to lower the UK's carbon footprint.
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These referral fees fully fund our operational, marketing and other costs -
OUR SERVICE IS 100% FREE TO YOU
So, what types of work might I get a grant for?
Let's start with the Government Scheme, ECO4. You could get funding for any of the energy upgrades below:
Insulation
This is probably the most important measure you can take. No matter how efficient your heating system is, if you are losing most of that heat then you'll never win. Make sure all bases are covered: cavity wall, external wall, flat roof, internal wall, loft, underfloor or room-in-roof.
Air source heat pump
This sucks warmth from the air outside and uses it to heat your home. It powers both your heating and your hot water. A heat pump works very similarly to fridge - but in reverse. Modern heat pumps can extract warmth from outside air even when temperatures are well below zero Celsius.
Electric storage heaters
These storage heaters charge up at night when electricity demand is generally much lower than in the daytime. They then release their heat gradually throughout the following day. Although they are not usually recommended above a heat pump, if you already have storage heaters you could get them upgraded to the latest new models.
Solar Panels
These turn sunlight into electricity usually using photovoltaic (PV) panels and the latest most modern units don’t even need direct sunlight to work - so they’re perfect for cloudy skies like we get in the UK a lot of the time. Solar Panel installation is not always covered by ECO4 in terms of the actual PV panels but often peripheral work is, also many local councils and some private sector providers encourage installation by providing interest free funding. Solar panels are particularly environmentally friendly as their daily use produces no carbon dioxide or other exhaust gases at all. Please see this article for further info on solar energy.
First time central heating
If your home has never had central heating, you could be eligible to get a grant. This could be for an efficient boiler or an air source heat pump. In either case, the grant could cover the whole cost.
Can you tell me more about this Government ECO4 Scheme and any other schemes available?
Sure... let's go through ECO4 first:
The UK government’s ECO scheme is designed to help you reduce your energy bills but still keep your home warm. In other words, to use less energy but get the same results.
All large UK energy suppliers take part in the scheme, which aims to improve your home’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Since the scheme began in 2013 with ECO1, many thousands of homes across the country have been upgraded and improved. We’re now on version 4 of the scheme – that’s why it’s known as ECO4.
If your home qualifies for energy efficiency upgrades, our trusted partners could help install the measures it needs. You can also read more about the scheme on the official websites linked to below.
You can read more about the ECO4 scheme & EPCs on the following official government websites using the links below (pages open in new windows):
The ECO4 scheme is aimed mainly at people on certain benefits, so many people may not qualify. HOWEVER, there is an additional scheme known as LA Flex (where the LA stands for Local Authority) which is aimed at households with income of less than £31,000 per annum, or for those who have a vulnerability to cold (e.g. older people, certain medical conditions, et cetera), or for homes with EPC ratings with F or lower; so you could qualify under this scheme.
LA Flex is less rigid than ECO4 and different Local Authorities have different rules so it's best to contact Eco Bear directly for a FREE assessment.
What if I don't qualify for ECO4 or for LA Flex?
If your household does not meet the eligibility rules for either the standard ECO4 scheme or the Local Authority Flexible Eligibility (LA Flex) route, there are still other forms of help that may reduce the cost of improving your home’s energy efficiency. Support varies by region, but the options below are commonly available across the UK:
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1. Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
The Great British Insulation Scheme provides support for basic insulation measures such as loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, or smart heating controls. This scheme is designed for households with EPC ratings D–G and for properties in lower council tax bands. Unlike ECO4, eligibility does not rely primarily on specific benefits, making it accessible to a wider group.
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2. Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers a government grant towards replacing old fossil-fuel boilers with low-carbon heating such as air-source or ground-source heat pumps. Homeowners can receive a substantial contribution toward installation costs, subject to property suitability and EPC requirements.
3. Local Council or Combined Authority Grants
Many councils operate local home-energy or retrofit funds, especially for vulnerable residents, older people, or homes suffering from damp and mould. Availability changes throughout the year, so it is often worth checking with us or your local authority for the latest programmes.
4. Energy Supplier Discounts & Home Improvement Loans
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Some energy suppliers and regional programmes offer discounted insulation or 0% interest loans for energy-saving improvements. These options can support households who fall just outside eligibility for national schemes but still need help upgrading their homes.
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5. Installer Plans & Improvement Schemes
Some Installers offer discounted installation or 0% interest loans for energy-saving improvements. This often applies to Solar Panel installation which is often not available via the grant route, for example the Solar Zero Plan (SZP), which can help install a full solar array without any upfront cost.​​​
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6. Self-Funded Improvements
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Even without grant funding, many upgrades — such as loft insulation or draught-proofing — remain relatively low-cost and can significantly reduce heating bills. We can provide guidance on the most effective improvements for your home, as well as clear pricing guidelines for any work you may wish to carry out independently of government schemes.
Wow, Eco Bear! There are so many different schemes - how can I get my head around which ones I could qualify for?
It's because there are so many options that the ECO BEAR service was founded. Our advisers deal with this every day so they know what will fit for each person's or household's circumstances and remember, ECO BEAR is a 100% FREE SERVICE to you, the consumer; we will check your eligibility against all available grants and schemes and find one that fits your position.
All you need to do is get in touch or fill out our form - the link is below!