What is the ECO4 scheme?
The Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) is a UK government scheme that places a legal obligation on large energy suppliers — including British Gas, EDF, E.ON, OVO, Scottish Power, and Octopus Energy — to fund energy efficiency improvements in eligible households across England, Scotland, and Wales.
ECO4 launched in April 2022 and is scheduled to run until March 2026. It replaced the previous ECO3 scheme and introduced a "whole house" approach, meaning improvements are designed to lift your home's energy performance by at least two EPC bands where possible.
The scheme is managed by Ofgem, the UK's energy regulator, which oversees supplier obligations and ensures measures are properly delivered. Unlike some grant programmes, ECO4 doesn't have a central application process — instead, approved installers work with energy suppliers to deliver funded measures directly to eligible homes.
Important: ECO4 funding is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. As March 2026 approaches, available budgets are decreasing. Apply now to avoid missing out.
Who is eligible for ECO4?
ECO4 eligibility is primarily based on receiving certain means-tested benefits. If you receive any of the following, you may qualify:
- Universal Credit — the most common qualifying benefit
- Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit element)
- Income-Based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Child Tax Credit (annual income under £16,480)
- Working Tax Credit (annual income under £16,480)
- Housing Benefit
- Warm Home Discount (core group)
Property requirements
In addition to receiving a qualifying benefit, your property must meet certain criteria:
- Located in England, Scotland, or Wales
- Current EPC rating of D, E, F, or G (homes rated A, B, or C are already considered energy efficient)
- Suitable for the proposed measures (determined by a technical survey)
- You must own the property, or be a tenant with your landlord's written permission
Flexible eligibility (LA Flex)
Even if you don't receive qualifying benefits, you may still be eligible through the Local Authority Flex route. Under this pathway, your local council can refer you to the scheme if you meet criteria such as:
- Living on a low income (below the local authority's threshold)
- Living in fuel poverty or at risk of fuel poverty
- Having a health condition worsened by living in a cold home
- Being elderly or having young children in a poorly insulated property
Contact your local council's energy efficiency team to find out if LA Flex is available in your area.
What improvements does ECO4 cover?
ECO4 funds a wide range of energy efficiency measures. The specific improvements recommended for your home will depend on a technical survey that assesses your property's current condition and identifies the most effective upgrades.
| Measure | Typical Savings | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Loft insulation | £590/year | Top-up to 300mm or full installation |
| Cavity wall insulation | £395/year | For homes with unfilled cavity walls |
| Solid wall insulation (external) | £640/year | For homes without cavities |
| Solid wall insulation (internal) | £430/year | Less disruptive than external |
| Boiler replacement | £400/year | Replacing old G-rated boilers |
| First-time central heating | £900+/year | For homes with no central heating |
| Underfloor insulation | £230/year | Suspended timber floors |
| Flat roof insulation | £350/year | For flat-roofed extensions |
| Room-in-roof insulation | £490/year | For converted loft bedrooms |
| Solar PV panels | £1,100/year | Usually combined with other measures |
| Air source heat pump | £300+/year | Replacing fossil fuel heating |
Whole-house approach: ECO4 aims to improve your home by at least two EPC bands. This means you'll often receive multiple measures — for example, loft insulation plus cavity wall insulation plus a boiler upgrade — all at no cost.
How to apply for ECO4
There's no single government website where you apply for ECO4. Instead, the process typically works like this:
- Check your eligibility — Enter your postcode above to instantly check whether you're likely to qualify based on your benefits and property type.
- Get matched with an installer — We connect you with ECO4-approved installers operating in your area who work directly with obligated energy suppliers.
- Technical survey — A qualified surveyor visits your home to assess which measures are suitable and will have the biggest impact on energy efficiency.
- Approval and scheduling — Once the survey is submitted and approved by the energy supplier, installation is scheduled at a time that suits you.
- Installation — Certified tradespeople complete the work. This can take anywhere from a few hours (loft insulation) to several days (external wall insulation).
- Quality check — An independent inspection may be carried out to ensure the work meets required standards.
How long does the ECO4 process take?
From your initial enquiry to completed installation, the typical timeline is:
- Eligibility check: Instant (online) or 1-2 days (with documents)
- Survey booking: 1-2 weeks after eligibility confirmation
- Survey to approval: 1-3 weeks (depends on energy supplier)
- Installation: 1-5 days depending on measures
- Total process: Typically 4-8 weeks from start to finish
ECO4 vs other energy schemes
ECO4 isn't the only government energy scheme available. Here's how it compares:
| Feature | ECO4 | GBIS | Boiler Upgrade Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Insulation, heating, solar | Insulation only | Heat pumps only |
| Eligibility | Benefits-based | Council tax band | All homeowners |
| Cost to you | Free | Free or subsidised | £7,500 off |
| Deadline | March 2026 | March 2026 | 2028 |
| Who can apply | Owners & tenants | Owners & tenants | Owners only |
The good news is that you can often combine multiple schemes. For example, you could get ECO4 funding for insulation and separately apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for a heat pump. You just can't use two schemes to fund the same individual measure.
Common ECO4 questions
Do I need to be with a specific energy supplier?
No. ECO4 is an obligation on the "Big Six" and other large suppliers, but you don't need to be their customer. The scheme is available regardless of who supplies your energy.
Will ECO4 affect my benefits?
No. ECO4 improvements are not counted as income and won't affect your benefit payments. The measures are funded by energy companies, not paid to you as cash.
What if my home is listed or in a conservation area?
Some measures may require planning permission in conservation areas or for listed buildings. External wall insulation, for example, may not be permitted. However, internal insulation, loft insulation, and boiler replacements are usually still possible. Your surveyor will advise on what's feasible.
Can I choose which improvements I get?
The measures installed are determined by the technical survey and what will be most effective for your home. However, you can discuss options with your installer and have the final say on what work goes ahead.
What happens after ECO4 ends?
The UK government has indicated that a successor scheme (often referred to as ECO5) will follow, though details haven't been confirmed. If you're eligible now, we strongly recommend applying before March 2026 rather than waiting for a future scheme that may have different criteria.
ECO4 funding by region
ECO4 is available across England, Scotland, and Wales, though uptake and installer availability can vary by region. Areas with older housing stock — particularly in the North of England, Scotland, and Wales — tend to have higher concentrations of eligible properties.
Major cities including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Bristol, Liverpool, Sheffield, Newcastle, and Nottingham all have active ECO4 installers. Rural areas may have fewer installer options, but the scheme covers all eligible properties regardless of location.
Protecting yourself from ECO4 scams
Unfortunately, the popularity of ECO4 has attracted some unscrupulous operators. Protect yourself by:
- Never paying upfront. Genuine ECO4 measures are free for eligible households. If someone asks for money upfront, it's likely a scam.
- Checking installer credentials. All ECO4 installers should be TrustMark registered and PAS certified for the measures they install.
- Getting everything in writing. Ensure you have documentation of what will be installed, the timeline, and confirmation that it's fully funded under ECO4.
- Being wary of cold callers. While some legitimate companies do conduct outreach, be cautious of anyone who pressures you into signing up immediately.
- Checking with Ofgem. You can verify an installer's ECO4 participation through Ofgem's official register.