What is the LA Flex scheme?
The LA Flex scheme (local authority flexible eligibility) is part of the government’s ECO4 scheme. ECO4 aims to help homeowners on benefits make their homes more energy efficient, saving them money on their energy bills.
While ECO4 is mainly aimed at those on benefits who need the additional support the most, the LA Flex scheme is available to those who aren’t on benefits but are still at risk of fuel poverty. Fuel poverty is when a household is below the poverty line after they spend the money necessary to heat their home, leaving them struggling to pay for other essentials.
The LA Flex scheme has a different application process from the ECO4 scheme, as the money comes from local authorities, rather than directly from the government. This also means that each authority can set its own requirements to suit its local area, so you should check your local requirements before you apply.
How do you qualify for the LA Flex scheme?
To qualify for the scheme, you need to have a household income of £31,000 or lower. This is to ensure that those who receive support are those who will need the additional funding the most. You also cannot be receiving benefits, which would qualify you for the ECO4 scheme.
Similarly to ECO4, you should also either own the property that is being upgraded or receive permission from your landlord if you are renting.
You also need to live in a home that has an EPC (energy performance certificate) rating of D or lower. An EPC measures how energy efficient a home is, on a scale of A to G, with A being the highest and G being the lowest. This means that support is directly targeted at homes that are less efficient and that the LA Flex can’t be used to upgrade homes that don’t need it.
What help can you receive from the LA Flex scheme?
Similar to the ECO4 scheme, you can receive free heating and insulation upgrades.
The heating upgrades available include first-time central heating, air source heat pumps, solar panels and boiler upgrades.
These upgrades are designed to keep your home warmer for less money, making your energy bills much cheaper than they were before.
The types of insulation offered by ECO4 include cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation, external wall insulation, loft insulation, room in roof insulation and pitched roof insulation.
These are designed to both keep warm air inside your home while preventing cold air from entering from outside it. This means you don’t have to use your heating as often, saving you money on your energy bills.
How does EnergyHelp assist?
EnergyHelp can help you find out if you qualify for either ECO4 or the LA Flex scheme.
If you qualify, EnergyHelp will contact you to arrange a consultation with a specialist, who will visit your home and make recommendations about which type of upgrade would suit you best.
EnergyHelp will then select a company to perform the upgrade or installation from a nationwide panel of the very best installers.
EnergyHelp assists you every step of the way and will continue to provide advice, even after the installation is complete.
Do you qualify?
Please complete the form today to check if you qualify for the ECO4 scheme and the LA Flex scheme.
If you do, you will be entitled to a personal consultation to determine which upgrades are best for you.
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