Ofgem published the first version of its ECO4 Innovation approved measures list in February 2023, setting out every innovation measure that can be delivered under the Energy Company Obligation 2022 scheme. The list covers measures approved under both ECO3 and ECO4, and gives each one a notification number, an approval date, whether it is a standard or substantial innovation measure, the uplift it attracts and the evidence suppliers must hold1.
The regulator said the publication is required so that other obligated suppliers delivering measures meeting an innovation measure description can notify them as innovation measures, and so that suppliers and the supply chain can see what has already been approved1.
"All approved innovation measures that can be delivered under ECO4 are listed below, including key characteristics, date of approval, whether a standard or a substantial innovation measure, additional requirements, and any products that can be delivered as that innovation measure."
The measures listed in version 1.0 are:
| IM number | Measure type | Application approved | Uplift | Product(s) meeting the description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | External Wall Insulation | 20/02/2019 | Standard, 25% | Soltherm Modulus Brick-ID System |
| 002 | Under Floor Insulation | 22/05/2019 | Standard, 25% | Q-Bot |
| 003 | Smart Thermostat | 05/06/2019 | Standard, 25% | Switchee Gen2 and Econa |
| 004 | External Wall Insulation | 01/11/2019 | Standard, 25% | Instaclad |
| 005 | Internal Wall Insulation | 28/11/2019 | Standard, 25% | Energystore Superbead |
| 006 | Party Cavity Wall Insulation | 05/02/2020 | Standard, 25% | Not stated in the extract reviewed |
Measures 001 to 005 are described as ECO3-approved innovation measures, so the awarded supplier uplift is recorded as not applicable. For measure 001, the product was approved under the innovation measure on 28/11/2022, while the application itself was approved on 20/02/20191.
Ofgem also records that IM009 has been given a substantial uplift and can now be found under IM017. It states that a measure previously approved under ECO3 for a 25% uplift, if installed under ECO4 before 16/12/2022, should be notified as IM 009 and will receive a 25% uplift, with no supplier uplift award1.
All innovation measures must be installed in accordance with PAS 2030:2019 or MCS standards and PAS 2035:2019, unless approved as certified by an organisation accredited to ISO/IEC 17065:2012. They must be lodged with TrustMark or an equivalent and delivered by TrustMark-registered or equivalent businesses. Ofgem states that approval of an innovation measure does not confirm that installation methods and designs are fully compliant with the latest PAS requirements, and that the evidence outlined in version 1.0 is in draft form and may change in later versions1.
Why it matters for households
ECO4 is funded by energy suppliers and delivered through installers, so the approved measures list is what determines which less common technologies can be fitted and funded in a home. A household offered external wall insulation, under floor insulation, internal wall insulation or a smart thermostat under the scheme is, in many cases, being offered a product that sits on this list. The uplift percentage attached to a measure affects how much of a supplier's obligation it counts towards, which in turn shapes what suppliers are willing to fund.
For a home's energy independence, the practical point is that these measures are insulation and heating controls rather than generation. They reduce the heat a property loses or the energy it uses to stay warm, which lowers running costs and exposure to price changes, but they do not make a home self-sufficient in energy. The list also shows that approval is tied to named products and to evidence such as warranties, photographs and installation records held against the household address, so the paperwork trail matters as much as the installation itself.
What happens next
Ofgem states that the evidence requirements in version 1.0 are in draft and may be subject to change in future versions of the document. No further version or date has been reported.
Sources1 cited
- ECO4 Innovation: Approved innovation measures, ofgem.gov.uk