Ealing Council have extended their scheme to help low-income households to improve the energy efficiency in their homes and save on heating for the next four years. 

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO), the national energy efficiency program, will be in effect until March 2026, and this scheme requires larger energy companies to fund installation of energy efficiency measures in qualified households. 

Since April 2020, the ECO scheme has helped 286 homes across Ealing install energy efficient measures, largely being insulation in houses. 

Councillor Deirdre Costigan, the council's cabinet member for climate action, said in a statement: "We are committed to providing support for local people to cut their energy use and ECO is just one of several support programmes available to Ealing residents. 

"By making our homes more energy efficient, we can help slash the amount of energy we need to pay for.  

"With lower incomes, higher costs of energy, and ongoing economic difficulties in the UK, reducing the amount of heat that is lost from our homes is the most effective way to insulate ourselves from price hikes. 

"Just as importantly, it can also play a big role in us doing our bit to tackle the climate emergency. Gas heating is one of the worst culprits when it comes to harmful carbon emissions.  

"So, the less energy and heating we need to use to keep our homes warm, the better." 

Eligibility for the ECO is based upon if you live in a home with lower levels of energy efficiency and are identified as a low-income household, or if you have a referral from a GP which makes you medically vulnerable if you are living in a cold home. 

Healthy Homes Ealing is a free service available to all residents of Ealing and they can offer advice to those struggling with energy bills and if you're are eligible for the ECO.