ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation 4)
If you're on a low income, ECO4 could get your home insulated, your boiler replaced, or solar panels fitted, all completely free. It covers England, Wales, and Scotland, and it's the last phase of the Energy Company Obligation programme. The catch? It closes on 31 December 2026, with no confirmed replacement.
What it covers
Fully funded
Eligible households pay nothing
Overview
Here's how ECO4 works. The government requires energy suppliers to fund energy efficiency improvements in low-income and fuel-poor homes. That means the big energy companies pay for your insulation, your new boiler, or your heat pump. You don't pay a penny.
The thing most people miss is that ECO4 is the final phase of this programme. There's no confirmed successor. The government has earmarked £1.5 billion from the Warm Homes Plan as replacement funding from 2027/28, but details are still thin.
Eligibility
ECO4 is means-tested, so it's targeted at people who need it most. You could qualify through several routes:
- You're on a low income or in fuel poverty
- You receive qualifying benefits like Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or Child Tax Credit
- Your council has referred you through ECO4 Flex (household income under £31,000)
- You have a health condition made worse by living in a cold home
- Your property is rated EPC D to G (these are prioritised)
How to Apply
There are a few ways in. The scheme runs through energy suppliers, so you've got options:
- 1Call your energy supplier and ask about ECO4 eligibility directly
- 2Apply through your local authority's ECO4 Flex scheme
- 3Use our eligibility checker to see if you qualify and get connected with approved providers
Key Dates
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ECO4 cover?
Quite a lot, actually. You can get free cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, solid wall insulation, a boiler replacement, a heat pump, solar panels, heating controls, or even a whole-home retrofit. The exact package depends on what your home needs and what the surveyor recommends.
Who is eligible for ECO4?
It's means-tested, so eligibility is based on your income or benefits. You might qualify if you receive Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or Child Tax Credit. Your council can also refer you through ECO4 Flex routes if your household income is under £31,000, or if you have health conditions made worse by living in a cold home.
When does ECO4 end?
31 December 2026, and that's a hard deadline. This is the final phase of the Energy Company Obligation programme. There's no confirmed successor yet, though the government has earmarked £1.5 billion from the Warm Homes Plan as replacement funding from 2027/28. If you think you qualify, don't wait.
How much does ECO4 cost?
Nothing. Zero. If you're eligible, the energy suppliers foot the entire bill. That's the whole point of the scheme: they're obligated by the government to fund these improvements in low-income homes.
Is there a replacement for ECO4 after it ends?
Honestly, nobody knows for certain yet. The government has committed £1.5 billion through the Warm Homes Plan from 2027/28, but the details are thin on the ground. If you're eligible for ECO4 right now, the safest move is to apply before it closes in December 2026 rather than gambling on what comes next.
Source
Everything on this page comes from GOV.UK. View on GOV.UK