ECO4 ends 31 December 2026 — what replaces it in Croydon
ECO4 has been extended once, to 31 December 2026, so suppliers can finish existing targets and fix faulty installs only. There are no new targets, no carry-over and no ECO5. The Great British Insulation Scheme closed to new applications on 31 March 2026.
In England the replacement for low-income households is the Warm Homes: Local Grant — a £500m scheme delivered by councils and their appointed installers from April 2025 to March 2028. It funds insulation, heating and solar in full for privately owned and privately rented homes rated EPC D to G.
One of these three routes must apply:
- Household income under £36,000 a year before tax; or
- Someone in the home gets one of: Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance; or
- The home is in a postcode the government lists as among the most deprived (IMD deciles 1–2).
On top of one of those routes, the home must be rated EPC D to G and you must be an owner-occupier or a private tenant (with your landlord's consent — rented homes rated F or G need a registered MEES exemption). Social housing is not eligible.
Not every council joined, delivery is postcode-by-postcode, and councils must contact eligible households within 10 working days of a referral.
Check the Warm Homes route for Croydon →You can also apply directly through the government's checker on GOV.UK.
Energy Grants & Fuel Poverty in Croydon
Croydon is south London's largest borough by population and has an unusually diverse housing stock. The town centre's high-rise developments contrast sharply with the leafy 1930s suburbs of Purley, Sanderstead, and Selsdon. It's the suburban semi-detached belt that presents the biggest energy efficiency opportunity — tens of thousands of properties with original unfilled cavity walls, single-glazed bay windows, and uninsulated lofts.
LA Flex and the Warm Homes: Local Grant are particularly relevant in Croydon, where many homeowners don't qualify for ECO4 on income grounds but live in poorly insulated properties — these routes let the council set its own criteria, so households that miss the standard benefit tests can still qualify. The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS), which previously reached many of Croydon's 1930s suburbs on a council tax band basis, closed to new applications on 31 March 2026; ECO4 and LA Flex are now the live routes. The council estimates around 40,000 Croydon properties could benefit from free or subsidised cavity wall and loft insulation — among the largest potential targets in London.
An estimated 40,000 Croydon properties could benefit from free or subsidised insulation through ECO4 and LA Flex — among the largest potential targets in London.
How ECO4 Is Delivered in Croydon
Despite Croydon Council's well-documented financial challenges (the council effectively declared bankruptcy in 2020), the borough's energy advice services have been maintained through partnerships with Croydon Voluntary Action and a network of community organisations. These partners deliver LA Flex assessments, energy advice, and ECO4 referrals in the most deprived wards — New Addington, Fieldway, and Broad Green — where fuel poverty is highest. The community-based delivery model has proved resilient to council budget cuts because it relies on voluntary sector capacity rather than council staff.
Available Grants in Croydon
Residents in the London Borough of Croydon area can access several government-funded energy efficiency schemes:
ECO4 Scheme
The ECO4 provides 100% free energy improvements to qualifying households. In Croydon, 2,760 measures installed to date. Most common: Cavity wall insulation (39%).
Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
The GBIS closed to new applications on 31 March 2026 — if you don't claim benefits, check LA Flex and the Warm Homes: Local Grant instead. Until it closed, GBIS provided free or subsidised insulation to properties in council tax bands A-D. No means test required.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
£7,500 towards an air source heat pump or £5,000 towards ground source. Available to all homeowners with a valid EPC.
Warm Home Discount
£150 discount on your electricity bill each winter.
EPC Ratings in Croydon
Analysis of 128,400 EPC certificates in Croydon:
Rating Distribution
47% of properties rated D-G — around the national average. Fuel poverty: 12.4% (19,500 households), close to the national average of 13.1%.
Housing Stock
157,200 households. Common construction: 1930s suburban semis with cavity walls, average build year 1948.
| Type | Share |
|---|---|
| Semi-detached | 28% |
| Flat | 30% |
| Terraced | 22% |
| Detached | 14% |
| Bungalow | 6% |
Most Common ECO4 Measures
2,760 installations to date:
- Cavity wall insulation
- Loft insulation
- Boiler replacement
- Draught-proofing
Average annual saving: £560
LA Flex Eligibility — Croydon
London Borough of Croydon — LA Flex (SOI v3.2, May 2025)
Income threshold: £36,000
Delivery partner: Croydon Council Sustainable Communities
Targets 1930s suburban semi-detached belt. Referrals from SLaM NHS. Despite financial challenges, community energy advice network maintained.
Local Installers
16 TrustMark-registered and 5 MCS-certified installers serving Croydon. Key areas: Thornton Heath, South Norwood, New Addington, Broad Green, Waddon
Croydon Energy Strategy
Climate Crisis Commission recommended street-by-street insulation. Partnership with Croydon Voluntary Action for community energy advice.
How to Apply
- Check eligibility — use our checker
- Get matched with TrustMark installers in Croydon
- Free survey — assessor recommends measures
- Installation — at no cost, usually 4-8 weeks
Contact London Borough of Croydon: www.croydon.gov.uk or 020 8726 6000
FAQs — Croydon
How many homes in Croydon qualify for ECO4?
Approximately 47% of assessed properties in Croydon have EPC D or below. Combined with benefits and LA Flex, an estimated 19,500 households could access free improvements.
What is the LA Flex income threshold in Croydon?
London Borough of Croydon's LA Flex income threshold is £36,000. Targets 1930s suburban semi-detached belt. Referrals from SLaM NHS. Despite financial challenges, community energy advice network maintained.
How many installers serve Croydon?
16 TrustMark-registered and 5 MCS-certified installers serve the Croydon area.
What is the fuel poverty rate in Croydon?
Croydon's fuel poverty rate is 12.4% (19,500 households), close to the national average of 13.1%.
How much can I save with ECO4 in Croydon?
Average annual saving: £560. Most common measure: Cavity wall insulation (39%).
📋 Sources & Data
- EPC: Open EPC Register — 128,400 certificates
- Fuel poverty: DESNZ 2025 (2023 data)
- ECO4: Ofgem
- Installers: TrustMark
- LA Flex: London Borough of Croydon SOI v3.2 (May 2025)
- Last verified: 4 March 2026