ECO4
ECO4 is a government scheme that offers support to low-income households in improving energy efficiency. By applying to ECO4, you have the opportunity to receive whole house retrofit support, funded by your energy suppliers.
ECO4 home improvements may include, but are not limited to:
- Cavity wall insulation
- External wall insulation
- Room in roof insulation
- Heat pumps
- Solar energy panels
- Electric storage heaters
- Double glazing
- Boiler upgrades
- Internal wall insulation
Your household must receive at least one of the following government assisted benefits:
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support (IS)
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Working Tax Credit (WTC)
- Child Tax Credits (CTC)
- Universal Credit (UC)
- Housing Benefits
- Pension Credit Savings Credit
The EPC rating for your home must be D, E, F, or G.
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
In order to assist homeowners in improving their home’s energy efficiency and lowering their energy costs, the government has developed alongside the ECO4 scheme a new grant programme, The Great British Insulation Scheme.
A general eligibility group, which includes properties in the lower council tax categories, will be part of GBIS’ support scheme and will focus on the least energy efficient performing homes.
GBIS will focus completely on insulation measures, namely loft insulation and cavity wall insulation.
To be eligible for GBIS grant funding:
- the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for your house must have a D-G rating
- you must be in English council tax bands A-D
- your EPC rating is the official recognition of the energy efficiency of your property
GBIS is not open to applications for mobile homes or park homes.
Better Housing Better Health
Better Housing Better Health provides a helpline to residents for assistance with energy-switching advice, fuel vouchers and small grants.
For more information, visit Better Housing Better Health.
Boiler upgrade scheme
The Government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers a £7,500 grant for a new heat pump. Recent changes mean more people qualify. Heat pump installations are also currently VAT exempt, adding even more savings.
Check if you are eligible by visiting Gov.uk.
The following schemes are for homeowners or small to medium enterprises seeking more affordable and renewable energy for their homes or business and to reduce the homes carbon footprint.
Community energy events
Winter Wellness Day, 26th November 2025 9.30am to 1pm - Hutton Community Centre, Harrison Close, Hutton CM13 1LP
This event will be aimed at people most affected and at greatest risk from the cold weather such as:
- Older adults, especially those who are 75 and over
- People with a chronic and severe illness
- Pregnant women and children under the age of five
- Homeless people and rough sleepers
- People who cannot afford to heat their home
- People who are housebound or who have low mobility
Drop in for information and guidance on safe, warm living over the winter months, slipper swap, freebies and a free lunch or refreshment provided by HRC Brentwood Care Centre.
Community energy projects
Expressions of interest for community energy projects in Brentwood
Brentwood Borough Council together with Essex County Council and Community Energy Pathways seek to empower communities across Essex to deliver sustainable, low-carbon energy solutions, fostering a resilient and secure future for all.
We can achieve this by creating strategic partnerships (public and private) to advance community energy, developing a project pipeline, supporting project development and building capacity of our communities to deliver energy projects.
We are committed to promoting community energy as part of our Climate Action Plan.
If you have ideas to develop projects around renewable energy, energy efficiency and fuel poverty projects we can help you.
Complete the expression of interest form.
Solar Together (Homeowners & SMEs)
Solar Together Essex is now open. The scheme is as a county-wide collective purchasing scheme. It provides homeowners, and small or medium enterprises with affordable installation of solar panels and battery storage systems through a group discount from trusted suppliers.
Solar panels are an intelligent investment, helping residents to save money on their future energy bills and be less reliant on energy suppliers. It is also an effective way of reducing carbon emissions.
Battery storage and EV charging points are also available under the scheme
Having solar panels installed is one way to contributing to a greener and brighter future for our county and our aim to bring all greenhouse gas emissions in Essex to net zero by 2050.
How Solar Together Essex works
Solar Together Essex allows a group of consumers to band together to negotiate a better price. iChoosr manages this scheme on behalf of Essex County Council and Brentwood Borough Council residents.
Essex Energy Switch
The Essex Energy Switch is a group buying scheme for gas and electricity.
It brings people together in search of a better deal on their energy bills, this collective buying power helping to drive down prices offered. An auction is held where energy suppliers bid to offer the lowest energy tariff to residents.
There is no obligation for residents to accept the offered tariff if it isn't beneficial for you. The added bonus is that all energy suppliers must offer 100% renewable electricity.
For more information, visit Essex Energy Switch.
Switch Together Essex
Switching to an air source heat pump can keep your home warm, while reducing your carbon footprint.
We have partnered with Switch Together Essex to help you find quality heat pump installations at a competitive price. They operate a group buying model. By grouping people together they can invite vetted installers to bid on offering the most competitive price to Essex residents.
Switch Together Essex only works with experienced, trustworthy and high-quality installers. There is no obligation to buy after you have received your quote.
How Switch Together Essex works
- Register for free online
- Vetted installers will compete by bidding their best price
- You will be emailed a personal offer detailing costs and specifications of a full heat pump system
- If you decide to proceed, the installer will schedule a survey and complete the full installation