What happens at an ECO4 home survey

By ApplyFreeBoiler.uk (Reliant Energy Solutions Ltd), an ECO4 heating and insulation installer based in Bury, Greater Manchester. We are not the government, Ofgem or an energy supplier.

If your eligibility check for ECO4 looks positive, the next step is a home survey. Many people are unsure what this involves, how long it takes, or what they need to have ready. This guide walks through a typical survey so you know what to expect when the assessor arrives.

Why a survey is needed

ECO4 funds specific energy-efficiency measures, not a cash grant. Before anything can be funded, the installer has to show that the proposed work suits the property and will improve its energy performance. Industry standards for this kind of retrofit work, known as PAS 2035, require the home to be properly assessed before measures are designed and installed. The survey is how that happens.

A positive eligibility check does not mean you are guaranteed a new boiler or insulation. The survey is where that decision is made.

Before the visit

You will usually be asked to provide or have ready:

• Proof of identity for the person applying.
• Proof of eligibility, for example a recent benefit award letter, or confirmation from your council if you are applying through LA Flex.
• Proof of address, such as a council tax bill or utility bill.
• Landlord permission in writing if you rent privately.

It also helps to clear access to the boiler, the loft hatch and the gas and electricity meters. If you have records of past work, such as when the boiler was installed or when insulation was fitted, keep them to hand.

During the survey

A typical visit lasts between one and two hours, depending on the size and layout of the home. The assessor will usually:

1. Measure the property. Room sizes, ceiling heights, window areas and the overall floor plan are recorded.
2. Inspect the walls. They will check whether walls are solid or cavity construction and whether any insulation is already present. This sometimes involves a small inspection hole in the mortar or a look through an existing vent.
3. Check the loft. The depth and condition of any existing loft insulation is measured, along with ventilation and access.
4. Look at the heating system. The make, model, age and condition of the boiler are recorded, along with radiators, controls and the hot water setup.
5. Note ventilation and condition. Damp, condensation, trickle vents and extractor fans matter, because adding insulation without enough ventilation can cause problems later.
6. Take photographs. These form part of the evidence that the scheme rules require.

The assessor will often also produce or update an energy assessment of the home, which shows the starting position before any work.

After the survey

The information is used to design a package of measures for your home. This might include insulation, heating controls, a replacement or upgraded heating system, or a mix of these. The installer then checks that the package meets the scheme rules and that funding is available.

You should then be told in plain terms what is being proposed, whether any contribution is being asked of you, and roughly when work could start. Ofgem notes that contributions can apply in some cases, so if anything is unclear, ask for it in writing before you agree.

Sometimes the answer is that the home is not suitable, or that only part of the work can be funded. That is a normal outcome, not a sign that something went wrong.

Questions worth asking on the day

• Which measures are you likely to recommend, and why?
• Will insulation need to be done before any heating work?
• Will I be asked to contribute anything?
• Who will carry out the installation, and are they registered for that type of work?
• What happens if I change my mind?

Red flags

A genuine surveyor will not ask for bank details to "hold" a grant, pressure you to sign on the spot, or promise an outcome before the survey is finished. Be wary of anyone who asks for a fee just to apply.

Learn more

For a step-by-step overview from eligibility check to installation, see how the ECO4 process works on ApplyFreeBoiler.uk. You can also apply through an obligated energy supplier or your local council via GOV.UK.

Published by ApplyFreeBoiler.uk, run by Reliant Energy Solutions Ltd (company no. 16100301), Bury, Greater Manchester.