ECO4 ends 31 December 2026 — what replaces it in Ealing
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 Ealing →You can also apply directly through the government's checker on GOV.UK.
Available Grants in London
Residents in the London Borough of Ealing area can access several government-funded energy efficiency schemes. Here's what's currently available:
ECO4 Scheme
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) provides 100% free energy improvements to households receiving qualifying benefits. Measures include loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation, boiler replacements, solar panels, and air source heat pumps. Your property needs an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G.
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 heavily subsidised insulation to properties in council tax bands A-D (England). No means test is required — eligibility is based on your property, not your income.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers £7,500 towards an air source heat pump or £5,000 towards a ground source heat pump. Available to all homeowners in England and Wales with a valid EPC certificate.
Warm Home Discount
A £150 discount on your electricity bill each winter. Most eligible households receive this automatically.
EPC Ratings in London
Based on our analysis of 100 recent EPC assessments in the London Borough of Ealing area:
Rating Distribution
15.0% of assessed properties in this area have an EPC rating of D or below, making them potentially eligible for ECO4 energy improvements. This is around the national average.
Property Types
| Type | Share |
|---|---|
| Flat | 83.0% |
| House | 16.0% |
| Maisonette | 1.0% |
LA Flex Eligibility — London
Even if you don't receive qualifying benefits, you may still qualify for ECO4 through the Local Authority Flexible Eligibility (LA Flex) route. Each council sets its own criteria.
London Borough of Ealing — LA Flex
Ealing provides LA Flex referrals through their Fuel Poverty team. Priority given to households with vulnerable members, particularly elderly residents and those with long-term health conditions.
How to Apply
- Check your eligibility — Enter your postcode above or use our eligibility checker
- Get matched with installers — We'll connect you with TrustMark-registered, PAS 2030/2035-certified installers in London
- Free home survey — An assessor visits to evaluate your property and recommend measures
- Installation — Approved contractors carry out the work, usually within 4-8 weeks
📋 Sources & Data
- EPC data sourced from Open EPC Register (DLUHC)
- Ofgem — ECO4 Programme Data
- DESNZ — Household Energy Efficiency Statistics
- LA Flex criteria sourced from London Borough of Ealing published guidance
- Last verified: 4 March 2026