ECO4 Energy Efficiency Grant Scheme

The Government’s £4 billion ECO4 scheme closed to new applications on 31 March 2026. This page explains what ECO4 covered, what happens to installations already approved, and where to look for help now.

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The scheme explained

What was the ECO4 Energy Efficiency Grant Scheme?

The Energy Company Obligation Phase 4 (ECO4) ran from 2022 until 31 March 2026. It was funded by the energy suppliers, administered through Ofgem, and worth £4 billion — targeted at energy-inefficient homes in EPC bands D to G.

ECO4 is closed to new applications. The scheme stopped accepting applications on 31 March 2026, and installations already approved are being completed through to the end of 2026. The details below are kept for reference. For current help with energy costs and home improvements, check the GOV.UK energy efficiency guidance or speak to your local council, who can advise on the schemes available in your area.

Help with your application

Housing Disrepair Experts helps qualifying homeowners and tenants across England, Scotland and Wales access ECO4 funding for insulation, heating systems and more — with energy bills reduced by up to 40% in eligible homes. We guide you from the first eligibility check right through to certification.

Funding is government-backed, not a loan: there is nothing to repay. It is not a blanket grant, though — different providers offer different levels of support, and depending on your home’s scoring a customer contribution may apply.

What the scheme delivers

  • Funding for approved energy-efficiency measures (customer contributions may apply)
  • Professional installation by TrustMark-registered contractors working to PAS 2035/2030 standards
  • Significant reductions in heating bills (savings vary by property)
  • A warmer, more comfortable home — and improved property value
  • A contribution towards the UK’s net-zero carbon targets

How much support can you receive? Insulation measures — loft, cavity wall, internal wall and external wall — often attract funding of up to 100% of the cost. Heat pump installations are supported for eligible properties, though customer contributions typically apply, and first-time central heating receives more limited support. The level of funding always depends on scoring and your home’s specific requirements.

£4bn
Scheme funding, 2022–2026
40%
Potential energy bill reduction
£300–600
Typical yearly heating savings
6–8
Weeks from application to completion
What’s covered

Home improvements funded by ECO4

From loft insulation to heat pumps, ECO4 covers the upgrades that make the biggest difference to cold, energy-inefficient homes. Typical cost coverage for each measure is shown below.

Loft insulation

Typical cost coverage of £300–£800, and often funded up to 100%. One of the quickest, most effective ways to stop heat escaping through the roof.

Cavity wall insulation

Typical cost coverage of £500–£1,500, often funded up to 100%. Fills the gap in cavity walls to keep warmth in and bills down.

Internal wall insulation

Typical cost coverage of £5,000–£12,000, with significant support — often up to 100% — for solid-walled homes that cannot take cavity insulation.

External wall insulation

Typical cost coverage of £8,000–£15,000 with comprehensive support, often up to 100%. A major upgrade for solid-wall properties.

Floor insulation

Typical cost coverage of £1,000–£3,000. Stops cold rising through suspended and solid floors, making ground-floor rooms noticeably warmer.

Boiler replacement

A-rated boilers with smart controls. Strictly limited under the scheme — approximately 5,000 replacements per year nationally.

Heat pump installation

Air source and ground source heat pumps are a priority measure under ECO4, with support for eligible properties. Customer contributions typically apply.

First-time central heating

Full central heating for homes that have never had it, designed fabric-first with low-carbon options prioritised. Modern, efficient electric storage heaters are also covered.

Solar panels

Solar PV is funded in limited cases only — typically installed alongside a heat pump or high-heat-retention storage heaters.

Scheme limits to know about: boiler replacements are capped at roughly 5,000 per year; the scheme carries a minimum target of 90,000 solid-wall measures over four years; and at least 150,000 private-tenure homes in EPC bands E, F and G must be improved.

Do you qualify?

ECO4 eligibility criteria

While the scheme was open, eligibility depended on your property’s EPC rating, how you occupied it, and whether your household received a qualifying benefit.

Homeowners

Owner-occupied homes with an EPC rating of D, E, F or G are directly eligible. The property must be your main residence.

Private tenants

Privately rented properties qualify at EPC E, F or G only (package rules apply). Tenants can apply — but need their landlord’s written permission.

Social housing tenants

Social housing rated EPC E, F or G may qualify for specific measures under the scheme’s rules.

Qualifying benefits — the Help to Heat Group

You will normally qualify if someone in your household receives one of the following:

  • Universal Credit
  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
  • Pension Credit (Savings Credit)
  • Working Tax Credit
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Housing Benefit
  • Child Benefit (within income caps)

Not on a qualifying benefit? The ECO4 Flex route lets local authorities refer low-income households experiencing fuel poverty who don’t receive the benefits listed above. And having received ECO funding before doesn’t automatically disqualify you.

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For reference

How the ECO4 application process worked

Applications are now closed, but if yours was approved before 31 March 2026 your installation should still be progressing through these stages. From first check to final certificate the process typically took 6–8 weeks, with the installation itself usually just 1–5 days.

1

Free eligibility check

Share basic property information, household income or benefit details and your current EPC rating for an instant online assessment.

2

Prepare your documents

Three months’ payslips or benefit statements, a Council Tax bill or mortgage statement, your EPC certificate, utility bills — and landlord consent if you rent.

3

Property survey

A thorough 1–2 hour assessment, usually within two weeks, identifies the right improvements for your home and produces a detailed quote.

4

Installation planning

Choose dates that suit you, receive a pre-installation information pack, and arrange access for the installers.

5

Professional installation

TrustMark-certified installers complete the work — typically in 1–5 days — with minimal disruption and full building regulations compliance.

6

Completion & certification

A quality inspection, building regulations certificates, an updated EPC and clear guidance on getting the most from your new measures.

What the timetable looks like

1

Week 1 — Application

Application submitted and eligibility confirmed.

2

Weeks 2–3 — Documentation

Documents reviewed and your property survey scheduled.

3

Weeks 3–4 — Assessment

Survey completed and recommended measures agreed.

4

Weeks 4–6 — Approval

Funding approved and installation dates planned.

5

Weeks 6–8 — Installation

Work completed, inspected and certified — with your updated EPC issued.

Why it’s worth it

The benefits of ECO4 improvements

Financial

  • Lower heating bills from day one
  • Reduced electricity costs
  • Protection against future price rises
  • Property value up by typically 5–10%
  • Lower maintenance costs

Comfort & health

  • Consistent temperatures, no draughts
  • Less condensation and mould
  • Better indoor air quality
  • Fewer respiratory illnesses
  • Improved sleep and mental wellbeing

Environmental

  • A significant cut in CO2 emissions
  • A contribution to UK net-zero targets
  • Reduced demand on the energy grid
  • Support for renewable energy
How it compares

ECO4 vs other energy schemes

ECO4 vs ECO3

Higher funding limits, extended eligibility and much better targeting of the lowest-income households than the previous phase of the scheme.

ECO4 vs Green Homes Grant

No repayment is ever required, the work is professionally managed end to end, and the scheme remains available until 2026.

The ECO4 Flex route

Local authorities can refer vulnerable and fuel-poor households that fall outside the standard benefit criteria, so more people can access support.

Where it applies

ECO4 coverage across Great Britain

The scheme operates throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

England

All 32 London boroughs, Greater Manchester, Birmingham and the West Midlands, Liverpool and Merseyside, Leeds and Yorkshire, Newcastle and the North East — plus the South West, South East, East Midlands and North West.

Scotland

Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee — with enhanced support for rural properties off the gas grid.

Wales

Cardiff, Swansea, Newport and North Wales — again with enhanced support for off-gas rural homes.

Rural uplift: a 35% score uplift applies to off-gas rural homes in Wales and Scotland. This uplift does not apply in England.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Is ECO4 completely free?

Not always. ECO4 funding can cover some or all of the cost depending on how your home scores and the measures it needs. In many cases work is fully funded, but a customer contribution may sometimes be required. It is never a loan — there is nothing to repay.

Who qualifies for ECO4?

Owner-occupied and privately rented homes where someone in the household receives a Help to Heat Group benefit, social housing in the qualifying EPC bands (subject to specific limits), or households referred by their local authority through the ECO4 Flex route.

What can I get through ECO4?

Insulation, low-carbon heating such as heat pumps, first-time central heating or district heating connections, and — in defined cases — solar PV alongside certain electric heating systems.

How long does the ECO4 process take?

Typically 6–8 weeks from application to completion, although timelines vary with survey complexity, consent processes and installer capacity.

I don’t have an EPC — can I still apply?

Yes. An EPC assessment can be arranged at no cost as part of the initial survey.

My income is slightly over £31,000 — am I still eligible?

If you receive a qualifying benefit, an individual assessment will determine your eligibility.

Can landlords apply for ECO4 funding?

Landlords cannot apply directly, but their tenants can apply with the landlord’s written permission.

How long after approval until installation starts?

Typically 2–4 weeks, depending on the complexity of the measures and installer availability.

Do I need to be home during installation?

Yes — the work is scheduled around your availability.

What happens if I’m not satisfied with the work?

Installations are covered by warranties and TrustMark consumer protection, and any issues are put right quickly.

Will the improvements affect my home insurance?

Energy-efficiency improvements typically have a positive effect on home insurance.

How much will my bills actually decrease?

Typical households save £300–£600 a year on heating bills.

Do I need planning permission for ECO4 improvements?

Most improvements fall under permitted development rights. External wall insulation may require permission in some areas.

Cold, damp home your landlord won’t fix?

ECO4 has closed, but if poor insulation, damp or a broken heating system is being ignored by your council or housing association, that is disrepair — and you may be able to claim. Free consultation, no win, no fee.

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