ECO4 Scheme — 2026 Guide
What it covers
Insulation, heating
Who qualifies
Benefits / low income
Max value
Up to £25,000
Deadline
December 2026
What is ECO4?
ECO4 is the fourth phase of the Energy Company Obligation — a government policy that requires the UK's largest energy suppliers (those with 150,000+ customers) to fund home energy efficiency upgrades for low-income and vulnerable households.
Unlike some grants you apply for yourself, ECO4 funding is delivered through approved installers who work directly with energy suppliers. The improvements are fully funded — you pay nothing. The scheme runs until December 2026 and has a total budget of £4 billion.
What does ECO4 cover?
Who qualifies for ECO4?
To qualify for ECO4, you generally need to meet two criteria:
1. Qualifying benefits (main route)
At least one person in your household must receive one of:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
- Child Tax Credit (income under £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related ESA
- Housing Benefit
2. LA Flex (no benefits needed)
Local authorities can refer households that don't receive benefits but have a low household income (typically under £36,000) AND an EPC rating of D, E, F or G. This route is subject to local authority participation — not every council actively uses it.
EPC requirement
Your property must have an EPC rating of D, E, F or G. Properties rated A, B or C are too energy efficient to qualify. If you don't have an EPC, installers can arrange a survey.
How much can you get?
There is no fixed limit — the amount depends on what your property needs. A typical ECO4 package might include insulation plus a heat pump, worth £10,000–£25,000 in total. Some households receive a full package of measures at no cost.
ECO4 is fully funded — you won't be asked for a contribution. There are no repayment conditions and no obligation to stay with any energy supplier.
How to apply for ECO4
- 1
Check your eligibility
Use our free checker below — it takes 2 minutes and checks your EPC automatically.
- 2
We match you with a local installer
We connect you with up to 3 MCS-certified installers in your area who are registered with energy suppliers to deliver ECO4.
- 3
Home survey
The installer visits your home to assess which measures are suitable. This is free.
- 4
Works are approved and scheduled
The installer submits your application to the energy supplier and arranges the work.
- 5
Improvements installed
All work is completed by qualified tradespeople at no cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
What is ECO4?
ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation 4) is a government scheme that requires large energy suppliers to fund energy efficiency improvements for low-income and vulnerable households. It runs until December 2026.
Do I need to be on benefits to qualify for ECO4?
Receiving qualifying benefits is the main route into ECO4. However, there's also an 'LA Flex' route — if your household has a low income and your home has an EPC rating of D, E, F or G, your local authority may refer you even without benefits.
What EPC rating do I need for ECO4?
Your property must have an EPC rating of D, E, F or G to qualify. Properties rated A, B or C are generally considered energy efficient enough and are not eligible.
Can tenants apply for ECO4?
Yes — ECO4 covers owner-occupiers, private tenants and social housing tenants. For private rental properties, the landlord must give consent for the work to be carried out.
How long does ECO4 take?
From application to completion, ECO4 typically takes 2–6 months depending on demand in your area and the complexity of the work required.
How do I apply for ECO4?
You can't apply directly to ECO4 — you apply through an approved installer or your energy supplier. The easiest way is to use the eligibility checker on this site, and we'll connect you with a local MCS-certified installer.
Is ECO4 ending?
ECO4 is currently funded until December 2026. The government has indicated that grant schemes will continue beyond this date under the Warm Homes Plan, but the exact successor scheme has not been confirmed.
Check your ECO4 eligibility now
Free, takes 2 minutes. We'll check your EPC automatically and tell you exactly what you qualify for.
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