Over 150 local properties have benefited from the ECO4 Flex scheme, which saw £3,130,000 of funding secured for energy efficiency work in 2023/24.

The national ECO (Energy Company Obligation) scheme supports low-income and fuel-poor households through the installation of insulation and heating measures. This scheme aims to reduce fuel poverty and energy bills in the long-term and reduce carbon emissions. All energy suppliers are required to deliver measures under the scheme and make funding available.

ECO4 Flex allows local authorities to set their own criteria for which households in their area should benefit, and the council can then refer households on to contractors for the necessary work to be carried out.

Over the last year Perth and Kinross Council approved 209 referrals to contractors to carry out work on properties that would benefit from energy efficiency work, with 154 projects being taken forward. The ECO4 Flex scheme is delivered in Perth and Kinross by the Council’s partner, energy efficiency charity Scarf. The scheme will operate until 31st March 2026 and many more properties in the area have been identified for work.

Some of the work carried out includes:

• The installation of 135 air source heat pumps
• Internal wall insulation for 81 properties
• Solar panels installed at 148 properties
• Loft insulation for 67 households

Housing and social wellbeing convener, Councillor Tom McEwan, said: “Targeting fuel poverty is one of our main strategic ambitions as a Council. The work that has been carried out under ECO4 Flex will provide huge benefits for the people who live in these properties. It allows them to live in a warm home, cuts household bills by a significant amount in a cost-of-living crisis, and it also reduces the carbon footprint of our area.

“As a council we always aim to maximise the amount of funding we can raise from external sources to support our work and I am delighted that local households have benefitted from this scheme to the tune of over £3m.

“I look forward to continuing our work under ECO4 Flex to help many more people who are living in fuel poverty in Perth and Kinross.”

David McKay co-CEO of Scarf, added: “Scarf are delighted to continue to deliver the ECO4 Flex scheme on behalf of Perth and Kinross Council. The energy efficiency upgrades provided to properties will have a significant impact on vulnerable and low-income householders’ bills providing financial security and warm, comfortable homes for residents in the area. Since February 2023 Scarf have brought over £3 million into Perth and Kinross, with some of the most expensive to treat low-rated properties receiving funding to achieve an ‘A’ energy efficiency rating.”