ECO4 Grants 2026 — Free Insulation, Boilers & Heat Pumps for Eligible UK Homes
Check your ECO4 eligibility in 2 minutes. The scheme funds up to £25,000 of free home energy upgrades for UK households on qualifying benefits or low income — but most funding is being allocated now and the programme closes on 31 December 2026.
- Free loft, cavity wall and internal wall insulation
- Free boiler replacement, heat pump or first-time central heating
- Solar panels for eligible electric-heated homes
- No cost to homeowner or private tenant when you qualify
No fee to apply. ECO4 is a UK government scheme funded by major energy suppliers. We work only with TrustMark-registered installers.
Fast answer: are you likely to qualify for ECO4?
You are likely eligible if you tick all three of the following: you own your home or rent privately (with landlord consent); someone in the household receives a qualifying benefit such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit, or household income is below your council’s LA Flex threshold (typically £31,000 a year); and your property has an EPC rating of D, E, F or G. Homes rated F and G are highest priority. Funding is allocated by major energy suppliers and most measures are 100% free for qualifying households — you should never be asked to pay anything towards the cost.
What is ECO4?
The Energy Company Obligation phase 4 — usually shortened to ECO4 — is a UK government scheme that legally requires the largest domestic energy suppliers to pay for energy efficiency upgrades in low-income and fuel-poor homes. The scheme is overseen by Ofgem and was launched in April 2022 with a budget of around £4 billion.
It was originally scheduled to end in March 2026 but the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero confirmed a 9-month extension in late 2025, taking the deadline to 31 December 2026. No direct successor obligation scheme has been announced; instead the government has signalled that future support will run through the Warm Homes Plan and other targeted grants delivered by local councils.
There is no central application portal. Households apply through approved installers, who in turn submit measures to the obligated energy supplier for funding. You do not have to be a customer of the supplier funding the work. The scheme operates across England, Scotland and Wales.
Who qualifies for ECO4 in 2026?
There are two qualification routes. You only need to meet the criteria for one to apply.
Route 1: qualifying benefits
If anyone in the household receives one of these means-tested benefits, you may automatically qualify (subject to property requirements):
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit (Guarantee or Savings)
- Income-based JSA
- Income-related ESA
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit (income under £16,480)
- Housing Benefit
- Child Benefit (within income thresholds)
Route 2: LA Flex (no benefits needed)
Local Authority Flexibility lets councils refer households for ECO4 funding even without qualifying benefits. Typical 2026 thresholds:
- Gross household income under £31,000 a year
- Or higher (up to ~£38,000) for larger households, depending on council policy
- Health condition exacerbated by cold home
- Single parent with young children on lower income
- Resident in a deprived postcode area
Each council sets its own LA Flex policy. Working families (nurses, teaching assistants, retail workers) regularly qualify this way.
Property requirements (both routes)
- EPC rating of D, E, F or G. F- and G-rated homes get priority. Don’t know your EPC? Look it up free on gov.uk.
- You own the home, or rent privately with landlord permission. Council and Housing Association tenants should contact their landlord directly — different schemes apply.
- The property must be your main residence. Second homes and holiday lets aren’t covered.
What measures does ECO4 cover?
ECO4 takes a “whole house” approach — measures are designed to lift a property by at least two EPC bands where possible. The exact upgrades funded depend on what the property needs and what the surveyor identifies during the home assessment.
Insulation
Loft, cavity wall, internal solid wall, external solid wall, roof and underfloor insulation.
Heating systems
Boiler replacement (broken or inefficient), first-time central heating, smart heating controls.
Heat pumps
Air source heat pump installation in suitable properties — often combined with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
Solar PV
Solar panels on electric-heated homes (heat pump, storage heaters or hot-water electric). Pair with a SEG export tariff to earn for unused electricity.
Ventilation
Where insulation upgrades require improved airflow to prevent damp or condensation.
Glazing and doors
In limited cases — usually only where they are critical to the EPC band uplift target.
How much funding can you get?
There’s no headline cap stated by Ofgem. The amount each household receives depends on the property’s starting EPC rating, how much improvement is technically possible, and what the obligated supplier is willing to fund. In practice:
- Loft insulation only: typically £500–£1,500 of value
- Cavity wall insulation: typically £1,000–£2,500
- Boiler replacement: £2,500–£4,500
- Combined insulation + heating package: £7,000–£15,000 of value
- Whole-home retrofit including heat pump or solar: can exceed £20,000–£25,000
For qualifying households, all measures are 100% funded by the obligated supplier — there is no excess to pay. If an installer asks for any payment from a qualifying ECO4 applicant, that’s a red flag. Walk away and report it.
Note: ECO4 funding is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. As the December 2026 deadline approaches, available installer capacity in some regions is reducing.
The 4-step ECO4 application process
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1
Eligibility check (2 minutes)
Submit your postcode, tenure, benefits status and current heating type via our form. We’ll match you with a TrustMark-registered installer in your area for a free, no-obligation conversation.
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2
Free home survey
A qualified retrofit assessor visits your property to verify EPC band, identify suitable measures, and confirm what can be funded. Usually 45–90 minutes. No obligation.
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3
Application & approval
The installer prepares the application and submits it to the obligated energy supplier funding the work. Approval typically takes 2–4 weeks. You don’t fill in any paperwork yourself.
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4
Installation
Once approved, the installer schedules the work. Loft insulation: usually 1 day. Boiler swap: 1–2 days. Heat pump install: 2–4 days on site. All work is completed by TrustMark-registered businesses certified to PAS 2030:2019.
Don’t qualify for ECO4? Other support to consider
If you fall outside ECO4’s benefits and LA Flex thresholds, you may still get help through these schemes:
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
A £7,500 grant towards an air source heat pump (or £5,000 for biomass) — open to homeowners regardless of income. Runs to at least 2028.
Warm Homes: Local Grant
A £1.5bn government programme delivered by councils for low-income households. Coverage and eligibility vary by area — contact your local council.
Switch to a cheaper tariff
Even without grants, switching can knock 10–20% off your annual bill. Compare whole-of-market tariffs by postcode in 2 minutes.
Solar with SEG export tariff
Pay for solar yourself but offset costs with a Smart Export Guarantee tariff. Top rate currently 25p/kWh.
ECO4 frequently asked questions
Is ECO4 still running in 2026?
Yes. The UK government extended ECO4 from 31 March 2026 to 31 December 2026. Applications submitted in 2026 are being processed normally, although installer capacity in some regions is reducing as the deadline approaches.
Do I have to be a customer of a specific energy supplier?
No. Any obligated supplier — including British Gas, EDF, E.ON, OVO, Scottish Power and Octopus Energy — can deliver ECO4 measures to any eligible household, regardless of who currently supplies your gas or electricity.
What is LA Flex and how do I qualify under it?
LA Flex (Local Authority Flexibility) lets councils refer households for ECO4 funding even when they don’t receive a qualifying means-tested benefit. Most councils require gross household income below around £31,000 a year, although exact thresholds vary. Your installer will usually request the LA Flex declaration on your behalf if you appear to qualify.
Can I apply as a private tenant?
Yes. Private tenants can qualify for ECO4 if they meet the eligibility criteria, but the landlord must give written consent before any work goes ahead. The landlord may be asked to contribute towards more expensive measures. Both parties benefit — the tenant gets lower bills, the landlord gets an improved EPC rating.
Will ECO4 fund solar panels?
Solar PV is funded under ECO4 only when the property has a qualifying electric heating system already, or when one is being installed as part of the same project — for example a heat pump, electric storage heaters or wet electric heating. As of February 2025, solar made up roughly 5.75% of all ECO4 measures delivered.
How long does ECO4 installation take?
From initial enquiry to completed installation, the process typically takes 4–10 weeks. Loft and cavity wall insulation are usually fitted in a single day. Boiler replacements take 1–2 days. Heat pump installations are more complex and may take 2–4 days on site. With the December 2026 deadline approaching, applying early gives you the best chance.
Do I have to pay anything?
For most qualifying households, all ECO4 measures are 100% funded by the obligated supplier and there is no cost to you. In some cases — particularly more expensive measures or properties with technical complications — the installer may ask for a contribution. If you’re asked to pay anything as a qualifying ECO4 applicant, get a second opinion before agreeing.
What happens after ECO4 ends?
No direct successor obligation scheme has been confirmed. The government has committed an additional £1.5 billion to the Warm Homes Plan, delivered through local councils via the Warm Homes Local Grant. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme — which funds heat pumps — continues separately and runs at least to 2028.
Don’t miss the December 2026 deadline
Most ECO4 funding has already been allocated and the scheme officially closes on 31 December 2026. Check eligibility now — it takes 2 minutes and costs nothing.
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