Home energy conservation
We want to help people in Swindon make their homes warmer, cheaper to heat and more energy efficient.
You may be able to get help with home insulation through government energy schemes.
Benefits of improving your home’s energy efficiency
Improving your home’s energy efficiency can help you:
- keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer
- save money on fuel bills
- reduce carbon dioxide emissions, which contribute to climate change
- reduce the use of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas
Emissions from housing contribute up to a third of carbon dioxide emissions in the UK.
Help with home insulation
Cavity wall insulation and loft insulation are simple, low-cost ways to improve your home’s insulation.
You may qualify for free cavity wall insulation through the Energy Company Obligation scheme. This may apply whether you own or rent your home.
Find out more about home insulation and current support on the Warm and Safe Wiltshire webpage.
Energy Company Obligation and Great British Insulation Scheme
The Energy Company Obligation scheme, known as ECO4, and the Great British Insulation Scheme are government schemes. They require energy suppliers to provide energy efficiency and heating improvements for homes.
ECO4 focuses on low-income and vulnerable households. It aims to improve the least energy-efficient homes and support the government’s fuel poverty and net zero commitments.
The Great British Insulation Scheme supports ECO4. It mainly delivers single energy-saving measures to a wider range of households.
Flexible eligibility
Flexible eligibility is a way for local authorities to identify households that may be fuel poor or vulnerable.
These households may benefit from heating and energy-saving improvements through:
- ECO4 Flex
- Great British Insulation Scheme Flex
Our statement of intent explains how we identify eligible households and what criteria we use.
Current statement of intent
Version 6 is the current version and should be used from 9 October 2023. It replaced version 5, which ran from 23 February 2023 to 8 October 2023.
Previous statements of intent
- Statement of intent for ECO Flex scheme, version 5 (PDF). Superseded.
- Statement of intent for ECO Flex scheme, version 4 (PDF). Superseded.
- Statement of intent for ECO Flex scheme, version 3 (PDF). Superseded.
- Statement of intent for ECO Flex scheme, version 2 (PDF). Superseded.
- Statement of intent for Affordable Warmth Grant, version 1 (PDF). Superseded.
Home Energy Conservation Act reports
The Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 requires English local authorities to prepare and publish a report every two years, starting from 2013.
The report sets out the energy conservation measures that the council considers:
- practical
- cost-effective
- likely to significantly improve the energy efficiency of homes in its area
Reporting will continue up to and including 31 March 2027.