A new Government-backed scheme is offering landlords in Bolton the chance to make improvements to their properties - for free!

The Energy Companies Obligation (ECO) - part of the Government’s Green Deal initiative - is a new programme designed to reduce Britain’s energy consumption by funding home improvements worth around £1.3 billion every year.

The funding which comes from the big energy suppliers will pay for landlords to install energy-saving products such as loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, replacement boilers or updated heating controls, and even double glazing in their properties - at no charge.

Funding is subject to certain criteria based on the income and benefits of landlords’ tenants.

Mike Robinson, Managing Director at BHE Services (Bolton) Limited, said: “The scheme is a boon for landlords. Why wouldn’t they or tenants want a warmer more energy efficient property which costs less to heat? There’s no cost to landlords to make these improvements to their properties. There’s no cost either for an assessment to see if they qualify.”

Mr Robinson adds: “The funding is coming from the country’s big energy suppliers who are under pressure to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the UK - as part of The Climate Change Act 2008 - or face massive fines from the EU in the coming years. This is why they are funding this large-scale home improvement programme.”

BHE Services (Bolton) Limited, based at Wilkinson House, on Radcliffe Road, Bolton, is an approved Green Deal Provider which means that it can conduct an assessment of a tenant’s eligibility for ECO funding and then manage on behalf of landlords the application process as well as installing the energy-saving products.

The Government has backed the ECO programme by passing The Electricity and Gas (Energy Companies Obligation) Order 2012 on 4 December 2012 which is now in effect.

The ECO will run until March 2015, supporting the installation of energy efficiency measures in low-income households and areas, and in properties that are harder to treat.

It works alongside the Green Deal to give consumers support and funding for energy efficiency improvements in their homes.

Mike said: “Whilst ECO is targeted at people on low income and benefits, the Government’s Green Deal initiative means that other households in Bolton will be able to get - at no upfront cost - a package of measures to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. This may include a new boiler, loft or cavity wall insulation, double glazing, LED lighting, and doors.

“The cost of these measures is paid for from the existing payment made by the householder to their electricity provider over a period of the lifetime of the new equipment, which will typically be 10 years.”

If you'd like more information on how this could affect you, don't hesitate to give BHE Services a call on 01204 450450