Climate change

We are working with local charity HEET to support residents assess their energy needs and apply for available funding. If you, or someone you know, needs additional support applying for the ECO4 scheme below, please give them a call on 020 8520 1900. 

HEET has also produced a 'Fuel Handbook' (PDF) for private tenants to support our work. This booklet has been designed specifically for renters. It will help you save money and keep your household safe and warm.

What is GBIS?

GBIS supports the installation of energy efficient measures, predominantly cavity wall insulation. The main objective of GBIS is to improve the least energy efficient housing occupied by low income and vulnerable households.

The scheme complements the previously delivered ECO4 scheme, yet unlike ECO4’s ‘whole house’ approach, this scheme will mostly deliver single insulation measures. In Waltham Forest, this focuses on un-insulated cavity walls. This scheme could save you hundreds a year on your energy bills, as well as helping to tackle climate change.

As well as supporting low-income and vulnerable households, it will also be available to those living in homes with an Energy Performance Certificate rating of D to G, and within Council Tax bands A to D.

If you want to find out more about this scheme, please visit Ofgem’s website.

We are working with two Trust mark registered GBIS Installers across the borough, depending on which ward you live in. You do not need be customers of these energy companies to apply:

• EDF 
• EON 

For EDF: Mark House, Lea Bridge, Forest, Wood Street, Upper Walthamstow, Hoe Street, St James. High Street, William Morris, Cann Hall, Cathall, Leytonstone, Grove Green, Leyton

For Eon: Chingford Green, Endlebury, Valley, Larkswood, Hale End and Highams Park South, Hatch Lane & Highams Park North, Chapel End, Higham Hill.

GBIS is not a grant, and energy companies are able to choose which projects they want to deliver. It is up to the energy companies to determine which projects they choose to fund, the level of funding they provide, and the Retrofit coordinators and installers they choose to work with.

How do I know if I'm eligible?

GBIS supports those in receipt of qualifying benefits and living in a house with low energy efficiency (EPC D to G) where there is an un-insulated cavity wall that can be improved.  

There are two eligibility groups:

General Group

Council tax band A to D in England. You can find out more about your Council Tax Band here. No heating control measures are available for this group. 

Low Income Group 

In receipt of Qualifying Benefits:

• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income Support (IS)
• Pension Credit Guarantee
• Credit Working Tax Credit (WTC)
• Child Tax Credits (CTC)
• Universal Credit (UC)
• Housing Benefit
• Pension Credit Savings Credit

Or referred via the Local Authority Flex scheme:

Flex Eligibility: For privately owned housing (Owner occupiers and Private Renters) via Four qualification routes:

• Route 1: Owner-occupier SAP band D to G households or private rented sector E to G homes with a gross household income less than £31,000.
• Route 2: Owner-occupied or private tenure SAP bands E to G households that meet a combination of two of the following:
  • Proxy 1 Homes in England in Lower-layer Super Output Area 1 to 3 (LSOA). [Proxy 1 cannot be used with proxy 3]
  • Proxy 2 Householders receiving a Council Tax rebate (rebates based on low income only, excludes single person rebates).
  • Proxy 3 Householders vulnerable to living in a cold home as identified in the NICE Guidance 2. Only one proxy from the list can be used, excludes the proxy ‘low income’. [Proxy 3 cannot be used with proxy 1].
  • Proxy 4 A householder receiving free school meals due to low-income
  • Proxy 5 A householder supported by a LA run scheme, that has been named and described by the LA as supporting low income and vulnerable households for the purposes of NICE Guideline.
  • Proxy 6 A household referred to the LA for support by their energy supplier or Citizen's Advice because they are struggling to pay their electricity and gas bills. Proxy 6 cannot be used with proxy 7].
  • Proxy 7 Households identified through supplier debt data. [Proxy 7 cannot be used with proxy 6].
• Route 3: Owner-occupier SAP band D to G households or private rented sector E to G homes that have been identified by their doctor or GP as low-income and vulnerable, with an occupant whose health conditions may be impacted further by living in a cold home. These health conditions may be cardiovascular, respiratory, immunosuppressed, or limited mobility related.

If you have any questions regarding the above, or to request a GP referral letter for Route 3, please contact climate.action@walthamforest.gov.uk

The Flex Scheme is covered by the Council’s Statement of Intent: Download the London Borough of Waltham Forest - Statement of Intent

Scheme qualification – the installer will determine if you are eligible to qualify for the ECO scheme. If you are they will arrange for you to have a home survey.

Free home survey - the installer will arrange a date and time for a contractor to visit your property to determine what improvements are suitable for your home. They will propose a bespoke package of upgrades and there is no obligation to proceed with the recommendations.

Installation - the energy efficiency improvements for your home will be carried out by accredited contractors. 

Aftercare – the installer will continue to provide you with ongoing support. Warranties, guarantees, and terms and conditions will be provided on completion of the installations.

Connected for Warmth is an award-winning grant scheme offering FREE energy-saving measures to homes across Britain, that can help you reduce your energy use and stay warm and well, funded by the National Grid. If you’re interested in insulation or Air Source Heat Pumps, take a look at their website.

Through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you could get a grant to cover part of the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems with a heat pump or biomass boiler.

Fossil fuel heating systems include oil, gas or electric.

After you’ve checked you’re eligible, find out how to apply for the grant.

This scheme is open to people in England and Wales, administered by the Government. 

Energy Advice London is a free and impartial advice service for anyone living in London, funded by the Mayor of London, and delivered by Energy Saving Trust.

Anyone who wants advice and support on reducing energy bills or improving home energy efficiency can visit the Energy Advice website or via telephone 0808 196 8260

You can also find more tips on how to reduce your energy usage on our website.