ECO4 closes on 31 December 2026. If you receive a qualifying benefit and live in an energy-inefficient home rated EPC D to G, you could get insulation, heating upgrades or a new boiler installed at no cost. After December, the scheme ends for good and the Warm Homes Plan takes over with its own rules.
That deadline matters. Installers need weeks to survey, approve and install measures. If you think you qualify, start your application this autumn.
What Is ECO4?
ECO4 stands for the Energy Company Obligation, phase four. It is a UK government scheme administered by Ofgem. It places a legal duty on large energy suppliers to fund energy-efficiency improvements in low-income and vulnerable households.
It runs across England, Scotland and Wales. It is not a cash grant paid to you. Your supplier arranges and pays for the work through a certified installer. In many cases the work is fully funded. In some cases you may need to contribute, so always ask before you commit.
ECO4 takes a whole-house approach. An assessor looks at your property and recommends a package of measures. That package should lift your home by at least one EPC band, with most homes targeted to reach band D or C.
Who Qualifies for ECO4? The Three Routes
There are three main routes into the scheme. You only need to qualify through one of them.
Route 1: The Benefits Route
Someone in your household receives a qualifying benefit. This covers the majority of ECO4 measures delivered so far.
Qualifying benefits include:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit or Savings Credit)
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Child Benefit (subject to household income thresholds)
You will need a recent award letter, or your eligibility can be confirmed through DWP data sharing.
Route 2: LA Flex
If nobody in your household claims a qualifying benefit, your local council may still refer you. This route is called LA Flex.
Each council sets its own criteria in a document called a Statement of Intent. Most councils accept households with a gross household income below £31,000. Many also accept households where a resident has a health condition made worse by living in a cold home.
Contact your council to ask whether it takes part and what its criteria are.
Route 3: NHS Referral (LIFT)
Some households qualify through a health referral. A GP, district nurse, occupational therapist or social prescriber can refer you if someone in the home has a respiratory, cardiovascular or other condition aggravated by cold. This route covers a small share of ECO4 measures but is worth asking your GP about.
The Property Rules: EPC Rating and Tenure
ECO4 is aimed at inefficient homes. Your property must have an Energy Performance Certificate rating of D, E, F or G. If you are unsure of your rating, check the national EPC register or read our guide on EPC ratings to see how they are calculated and how to improve yours.
Tenure matters too:
- Owner-occupiers qualify with an EPC of D to G.
- Private tenants qualify with an EPC of E to G, and you need your landlord’s written permission.
- Social housing tenants may qualify through their housing provider under separate rules.
What Does ECO4 Cover?
The measures depend on what your home needs. A retrofit assessment decides the package. Common measures include:
| Measure | What it does |
|---|---|
| Loft insulation | Tops up or installs insulation to the recommended depth |
| Cavity wall insulation | Fills the cavity between walls to cut heat loss |
| Solid wall insulation (internal or external) | Insulates walls with no cavity |
| Floor insulation | Insulates suspended timber floors |
| Boiler replacement | Replaces an old or broken non-condensing boiler |
| First-time central heating | Installs a full system where none exists |
| Heat pumps | Funds air source or ground source heat pumps in suitable homes |
| Solar PV | Installs solar panels in some homes |
| Heating controls and smart thermostats | Improves how efficiently the system runs |
| Glazing improvements | Replaces very inefficient glazing as part of a wider package |
Boiler upgrades usually come bundled with insulation. The scheme follows a fabric-first rule: insulate the home properly before upgrading the heating. A new boiler is not guaranteed, and ECO4 will not replace a working A-rated condensing boiler just because you want a newer model.
Our guides explain what the main insulation measures cost outside the scheme, so you can see what you are getting: loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and draught proofing.
How Much Can You Get?
ECO4 has no published maximum per home. Heating and insulation packages are commonly worth several thousand pounds, with some packages reaching around £10,000.
But be clear about one thing. Ofgem states that ECO is not a grant scheme in the cash sense. Installers can offer different levels of support. Most eligible households pay nothing. If an installer asks you for a contribution, Ofgem encourages you to shop around before agreeing.
How to Apply for ECO4: Step by Step
- Check your EPC rating. You need D to G as an owner-occupier, or E to G as a private tenant.
- Check your benefits. If someone in your household receives one of the qualifying benefits, the benefits route is your fastest path.
- If you are not on benefits, ask your council about LA Flex. Find out whether it takes part and what its income threshold is.
- Contact an obligated energy supplier or a TrustMark-registered installer. You can use any obligated supplier, not just your own.
- Get a home assessment. The installer surveys your property and confirms which measures your home qualifies for.
- Approve the package and book the installation. Work must be completed by 31 December 2026.
Start early. The scheme closes at the end of the year, and installers typically stop taking new applications in the autumn as their funding runs out.
ECO4 vs Boiler Upgrade Scheme vs Other Grants
ECO4 is not the only help available. The main alternative is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). It offers £7,500 towards an air source or ground source heat pump. It is open to homeowners and landlords in England and Wales, with no income caps or benefit requirements. It runs until 31 December 2027.
Which one suits you?
- Choose ECO4 if you are on a low income or receive qualifying benefits and your home has a low EPC rating. It can fund a full package at no cost.
- Choose the Boiler Upgrade Scheme if you do not qualify for ECO4 but want to switch from a fossil-fuel boiler to a heat pump. Your installer applies on your behalf.
If you want solar panels, read our complete guide to solar panels in the UK for costs, savings and what to check before you buy.
What Happens After December 2026?
ECO4 closes on 31 December 2026. There is no ECO5. From January 2027, the £15bn Warm Homes Plan is expected to take over as the successor scheme, with its own eligibility rules.
If you already qualify for ECO4, apply now. Waiting for the new scheme means facing unknown rules and possible delays.
FAQs
Do I need to own my home to qualify for ECO4?
No. Owner-occupiers, private tenants and some social housing tenants can qualify. Private tenants need their landlord’s written permission, and rented homes must be EPC rated E to G.
Is ECO4 really free?
For most eligible households, yes. The work is funded by your energy supplier, not paid from your pocket. But Ofgem notes that some installers may ask for a contribution. Always get a clear written breakdown before the work starts.
Which benefits qualify for ECO4?
Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Working and Child Tax Credits, Housing Benefit and Child Benefit (subject to income thresholds). LA Flex covers households not on these benefits if they meet their council’s criteria.
What is LA Flex?
LA Flex lets your local council refer households into ECO4 even when nobody claims a qualifying benefit. Most councils accept households with gross income below £31,000 or with a health condition worsened by cold. Rules vary by council.
Can landlords apply for ECO4?
Private landlords can apply for their tenants’ homes, but they need the tenant to meet the eligibility route and must give permission. The property must be EPC rated E to G. Social landlords operate under separate rules.
How long does an ECO4 application take?
It varies, but allow several weeks from first contact to installation. You need an eligibility check, a home assessment and an installation slot. With the December 2026 deadline approaching, apply as early as possible.
Get a Free Home Assessment
ECO4 is in its final months. If you receive a qualifying benefit, have a low-income household, or live in a cold, inefficient home, check your options now. Contact an obligated energy supplier or your local council to start your application, and read our guide to UK home renovation costs to plan any work the scheme does not cover.
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