ECO4 ends 31 December 2026 — what replaces it in Portsmouth City
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 Portsmouth City →You can also apply directly through the government's checker on GOV.UK.
Available Grants in Portsmouth City
Residents in the Portsmouth City Council 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 Portsmouth City
Based on our analysis of 100 recent EPC assessments in the Portsmouth City Council area:
Rating Distribution
19.0% 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 | 73.0% |
| House | 17.0% |
| Maisonette | 9.0% |
| Bungalow | 1.0% |
LA Flex Eligibility — Portsmouth City
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.
Portsmouth City Council — LA Flex
Portsmouth's LA Flex scheme accepts referrals from households with combined income below £31,000. Priority given to properties with EPC E-G ratings in Paulsgrove and Portsea.
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 Portsmouth City
- 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 Portsmouth City Council published guidance
- Last verified: 4 March 2026