Energy Efficiency Schemes

Depending on where you live, there may be support available to you in order to improve the energy efficiency of your home.

 

Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Schemes (EES: ABS)

“That eases a lot of pressure on the bills — massive. It’s fantastic… I wasn’t aware how much difference it would make.”

– William, ABS recipient, Aberdeenshire

The Area Based Scheme is a Scottish Government–funded programme designed and delivered by local authorities, working in partnership with local delivery partners such as Scarf.

The scheme focuses on fuel-poor areas, aiming to install energy efficiency improvements – such as wall insulation, and solar panels – in eligible Scottish homes. These upgrades can help make homes warmer, reduce energy bills, and lower carbon emissions.

Only pre-notified properties are eligible for this funding. Delivery is managed locally, and the types of measures available can vary depending on your local authority area.

Scarf supports the delivery of EES: ABS schemes in a number of areas in the North East:

Current schemes

Scarf supports the delivery of EES: ABS schemes in a number of areas in the North East:

If you have received a letter and would like to make an enquiry regarding any of these schemes, please call 0808 808 2282.

 

What the process looks like

The scheme involves a few simple steps to make sure the right improvements are installed in your home and that you’re supported throughout the process:

  1. Receive your invitation letter
    If your property is eligible, you’ll receive a letter inviting you to take part in the scheme. The letter includes information about what’s available in your area and how to register your interest.

  2. Register your interest
    Use the link or contact details in your letter to let us know you’d like to take part.

  3. Household assessment & technical survey
    The appointed contractor will contact you to arrange a survey of the property to assess whether the measures can be installed in your property.

  4. Offer & agreement
    You’ll receive details of the proposed works and any homeowner contribution required.

  5. Pre-installation survey
    Before any work begins, we’ll ask you to complete a short survey. This is a Scottish Government reporting requirement and helps measure the impact of the scheme.

  6. Installation
    Works are carried out by an approved contractor at a time that suits you.

  7. Immediate post-installation satisfaction survey
    Once installation is complete, we’ll contact you to check that everything went smoothly and offer support if you have any questions or concerns.

  8. Handover pack
    You’ll receive information about the improvements made and how to get the most benefit from them.

  9. One-year follow-up survey
    Around a year after installation, we’ll be in touch again to complete a final survey. This helps assess longer-term benefits and identify any issues that may have arisen over time.

You can find more information on EES: ABS from the Scottish Government

For more information on how your data is used, you can read our EES: ABS Privacy Notice

 

 


Energy Company Obligation (ECO) (NOT ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS)

Please note: We’re no longer accepting ECO referrals. Although ECO has been extended, it’s as an administration period with no additional funding, so we cannot accept new referrals. Please contact Home Energy Scotland who can provide advice on other schemes that may be available.

 

“I was very impressed from day one, everything seemed to work like clockwork … I was very impressed by the whole set up.”

– David Muir, ECO4 recipient, Perth

 

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a UK government energy efficiency scheme led by the private sector in Great Britain to tackle fuel poverty and help reduce carbon emissions. Funded by major energy suppliers, the 4th version of this project, ECO4, will help householders save on their energy bills and reduce carbon emissions. The scheme will operate until 2026.

Scarf delivered the scheme on behalf of participating Local Authorities and manage the referral process to our Approved Framework of ECO4 contractors.

Under the ECO4 Flexibility programme, participating local authorities can refer private tenure households that it considers to be living in fuel poverty or on a low income and vulnerable to the effects of living in a cold home. The specific measures that would benefit your home would be determined by a retrofit assessment. If the household is eligible, supporting evidence will be collected. After that participating Councils will provide the sign-off (declaration).

The Local Authorities Statement of Intent can be found below:

The inclusion of a household in a local authority declaration/referral does not guarantee a measure will be installed in their home by an energy supplier. Decisions by energy suppliers on whether to install a measure may depend on:

  • A survey carried out by suppliers, or their agents/contractors and installation costs calculated,
  • The energy savings that can be achieved for a property,
  • Whether suppliers have achieved, or are close to achieving, their targets, and
  • Other commercial considerations.

Suppliers will carry out an assessment to decide which measures their property should receive. Residents will likely expect to receive multiple measures due to Minimum Requirements.

 

We’re no longer accepting ECO referrals. Although ECO has been extended, it’s as an administration period with no additional funding, so we cannot accept new referrals. Please contact Home Energy Scotland who can provide advice on other schemes that may be available.

 

 

Approved contractor list

Contractors approved to deliver ECO4 Flex

 

We’re no longer accepting ECO referrals. Although ECO has been extended, it’s as an administration period with no additional funding, so we cannot accept new referrals. Please contact Home Energy Scotland who can provide advice on other schemes that may be available.


In-Home Advice

To support area-based ECO and EES-ABS schemes, Scarf also provides free home visits. Our advisors will get to know you and your property to provide tailored advice, helping you heat your home for less.

Advisors can identify ways to make your home more energy efficient as well as assess your home for damp and condensation problems. They also provide general energy saving advice that can have you saving energy and money in no time.

Arranging your free home visit:

  • Call freephone 0808 129 0888 or email heat@scarf.org.uk to arrange the most suitable day and time for a visit.

Home Energy Scotland ( HES )

Scarf delivers the Home Energy Scotland (HES) service in the north east of Scotland, covering the Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, Angus Council, Dundee City Council, Moray Council and Perth & Kinross Council local authority areas.

Funded by the Scottish Government and managed by the Energy Saving Trust, HES offers free and impartial advice on a variety of energy saving matters and helps people access financial assistance that may be available to make their home more energy efficient, helping them to lower fuel bills.

Learn More About HES