South Wales Family Raises Fraud Allegations
A family in south Wales claims an energy efficiency company forged their signatures and submitted inaccurate information to secure public funding for home energy upgrades.
Investigation Into Stellar Energy
The BBC understands that Stellar Energy, which carried out the work, is under investigation by Octopus Energy, the ECO4 scheme funder. The company denies any wrongdoing.
Homeowners Blame Faulty Work for Property Damage
The Wadley family received wall insulation, solar panels and heat pumps through the ECO4 programme in 2024.
Black Mould Appears After Installation
The family says poor-quality insulation work caused widespread black mould throughout their home and continues to affect their health and wellbeing. read more
Family Says Problems Remain Unresolved
Becs Wadley described the experience as “soul destroying” and said the issues have taken a physical and emotional toll on the household.
Stellar Energy Responds to Complaints
The company says the Wadleys’ property represents the only major complaint among the hundreds of homes it has worked on.
Company Claims It Tried to Resolve Issues
Stellar Energy says it had limited access to the property during investigations but remains willing to assist with repairs.
Public Funding Linked to the Project
The BBC understands that the company may have received around £80,000 through the ECO4 programme for the installation work.
Family Alleges Forged Signatures and False Documents
The Wadleys say they found multiple forged signatures in documents submitted as part of the ECO4 application process.
Photo of Unidentified Heater Raises Questions
The family also discovered a photograph of a wall-mounted heater that they say was never installed in their property.
Concerns Grow Over the ECO4 Scheme
The ECO4 programme launched in 2022 to improve energy efficiency in low-income and vulnerable households.
Thousands of Homes Received Upgrades
More than 300,000 homes benefited from insulation, heat pumps and solar panels under the £4 billion scheme.
Claims of Exaggerated Energy Ratings
Industry insiders told the BBC that some installers may have overstated poor energy efficiency ratings to claim higher levels of funding.
Stellar Energy Rejects Fraud Allegations
The company says it no longer employs the staff who managed applications during the period in question.
Company Denies Falsifying Information
Stellar Energy rejects suggestions that it knowingly submitted false information or manipulated energy-efficiency assessments.
Octopus Energy and Ofgem Review the Case
Octopus Energy says it is committed to helping resolve the issue and has shared findings with regulator Ofgem.
Serious Fraud Office Investigates Wider ECO4 Concerns
Separate investigations into alleged ECO4 fraud have already led to arrests involving other energy-efficiency installers.
National Audit Office Highlights Major Problems
The spending watchdog reported significant issues in 98% of inspected homes that received external wall insulation under the scheme.
Government Launches Find and Fix Programme
The government introduced a repair programme overseen by TrustMark following concerns about installation quality.
Thousands of Homes Await Inspection
TrustMark estimates that around 30,000 homes may have serious insulation problems, although only a fraction have been audited so far. know more
Family Refuses Further Work by Original Installer
Mrs Wadley says she does not want Stellar Energy to return to her property because she has lost confidence in the company.
Government Promises Support for Affected Households
Officials say they are helping affected homeowners access audits and support as quickly as possible while addressing problems linked to the ECO4 scheme.
