The ECO grant scheme will run until 31 December 2026, and it can help you improve your home’s energy efficiency if you own your home or rent from a private landlord and claim certain benefits.

Millions of households in the UK can’t afford to heat their homes to a comfortable and healthy level. Government data shows that 2.36 million or 9.4% of households were in fuel poverty in England in 2025, driven by low energy efficiency, low incomes, and high energy prices.

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) aims to improve the least energy-efficient housing stock occupied by low-income and vulnerable households. This will help improve many fuel-poor homes as reasonably as possible to reduce carbon emissions and make progress towards achieving net zero.

If you qualify, the ECO grant scheme can help cover the costs of insulating your loft or cavity walls or upgrading your heating system, including repairing or replacing an inefficient or broken boiler. Understanding who qualifies, what improvements are covered, and how the application process works can help you avoid missing out on support that could make your home warmer and cheaper to run.

Key Takeaways on the ECO Grant Scheme:

• ECO4 runs until 31 December 2026, extended nine months from the original March 2026 deadline. Apply now because suppliers may stop taking applications before that date.
• You can qualify through income-based benefits, Child Benefit with a low income, energy debt with your supplier, or through ECO4 Flex routes set by your local council.
• ECO4 can fund insulation, boiler repair or replacement, first-time central heating, heat pumps, and solar panels as part of an electric heating system, and it’s all free to eligible households.
• Apply through your local council, any ECO scheme energy supplier, or a TrustMark-registered installer. Never pay an upfront fee.
• Many homes receiving external wall insulation under ECO4 had major defects requiring remediation. If you’ve had insulation work done, check for damp or mould.
• The Warm Homes Plan replaces the ECO grant scheme framework to help households on low incomes and in fuel poverty.

What Is the ECO Grant Scheme?

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a government energy efficiency scheme that places a legal obligation on large and medium energy suppliers with over 150,000 domestic customers to fund energy efficiency improvements in homes across Great Britain. It’s currently in its fourth iteration, known as ECO4, which runs until 31 December 2026.

Energy suppliers fund the work to meet legally binding targets. Under ECO4, around 949,800 measures have been installed in around 280,100 households. Since ECO launched in 2013, around 4.4 million measures have been installed in 2.6 million properties to the end of September 2025.

You can approach any participating energy supplier, and it doesn’t have to be your own. Once the ECO grant scheme ends, there will be no successor supplier obligation. The government has instead committed to helping lift a million households out of fuel poverty through our interventions in the Warm Homes Plan.

Check out our video on how to vet boiler brands/models in the UK:

How Does the ECO Grant Scheme Work?

The ECO grant scheme follows a staged process designed to assess your home before any work begins. Your property goes through checks before installers recommend improvements. This process aims to match upgrades to your home’s condition.

Most applications follow these stages:

ECO projects involve several specialists, including assessors, retrofit coordinators, and installers. Quality checks have become more important across energy schemes due to issues with poor-quality installations and non-compliant work. You should check whether installers hold recognised certifications and work under approved quality schemes.

TrustMark acts as a government-endorsed quality scheme for retrofit work and records ECO project information.

Who Is Eligible for the ECO Grant Scheme?

You might be able to apply for help with the cost of home improvements, such as insulation, a new boiler or a renewable heating system like a heat pump. Your eligibility depends on your financial situation and your property’s energy rating. There are four routes to qualify:

The Income-Based Benefits Route

You can apply to the ECO scheme if you, or your partner, get at least one of these benefits: Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), or Income Support.

If you own your home, it must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F or G. If you rent from a private landlord, your home must have an EPC rating of E, F or G. The goverments housing and local services make it easy to search and find your home’s EPC by postcode, street name and town, or certificate number.

If your home doesn’t have an EPC, you might still be able to apply. Your home may need energy efficiency improvements like insulation or a more efficient heating system.

The Child Benefit Route

You can apply to the ECO scheme if you get Child Benefit and also have a low income. The amount of income you can have depends on how many children you’ve got, and whether you’re single or in a couple. Contact your local council or an ECO scheme supplier to confirm whether your income falls within the threshold for your household size.

The Energy Debt Route

According to Citizens Advice, you might be able to apply to the ECO scheme if you have owed money to your gas or electricity supplier for at least 13 weeks. You also need to have a debt repayment plan with your supplier or be repaying your debt through a deduction from your benefits. Your home also needs to have an EPC rating of E, F or G.

This route is underused because it’s not widely publicised. Contact your supplier directly to ask whether your arrears situation makes you eligible.

The Prepayment Customer Route

You might be eligible for the ECO scheme if you’re a prepayment customer and you run out of money. If you have a prepayment meter and regularly struggle to top it up, or your supplier has lent you credit in the last 13 weeks, you may be able to apply.

Your supplier may have other conditions that you’ll need to meet. For example, being classed as vulnerable to the cold or having a low income. Contact your supplier or local council to explore this route.

Social Housing Tenants

If you have a social landlord and you pay below market rent, there are different rules which mean you might be eligible for the ECO scheme. Market rent is the average cost of renting a home like yours in the area you live in from a private landlord. Your landlord will be able to tell you if you pay below market rent. If you have a social landlord and your rent is at or above market rent, the rules are the same as for private tenants.

What Does the ECO Grant Scheme Cover?

You can get help with things like insulation, boilers, and improving your heating. If your home already has renewable heating, you can only get help with a new renewable heating installation, not a replacement of the same kind. For example, you can’t get an old air source heat pump replaced with a new air source heat pump.

The main types of improvement available under ECO4 include:

• Insulation: loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation (internal or external), underfloor insulation, and park home insulation.
• Heating: boiler repair or replacement, first-time central heating installation for homes that have never had it, and heat pumps.
• Renewables: solar panels as part of an electric heating system, and biomass boilers in limited circumstances.

Got a common boiler problem? Check out our quick fix guide for boiler lockout, ignition faults, PCB faults, faulty diverter valves, and boiler timer issues.

How to Apply for the ECO Grant Scheme

Applying for ECO4 costs you nothing. There are no legitimate fees at any stage. If anyone asks you for money to access the scheme, stop the process and treat it as a scam.

Step 1 — Check Your Eligibility

Use the eligibility routes in the section above to identify which route applies to you.

Step 2 — Choose Your Application Route

There are different ways to apply to the ECO scheme, depending on which conditions you meet. Your local council might be able to help you to apply for energy efficiency grants, including the ECO scheme.

If your local council can’t help, you should be able to apply through any energy supplier that is part of the ECO scheme, and it doesn’t have to be your own supplier. You can also apply through a TrustMark-registered installer, who can manage the process on your behalf.

Step 3 — Home Assessment

A surveyor visits your property to confirm your eligibility and identify which improvements are appropriate. This visit is free. Never pay for an assessment, and if anyone demands money for a survey, walk away.

Step 4 — Installation

A TrustMark-registered installer carries out the approved work. Timescales typically run from 4 to 12 weeks, depending on your region and the complexity of the work.

If you’re planning to apply to the ECO scheme, you should start your application as soon as you can. They might stop taking applications sooner than 31 December 2026. When you know who you’ll need to apply to, contact them to find out when they stop taking applications.

ECO Grant Scheme Equivalents: Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

ECO4 applies across England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has its own equivalent schemes. Each nation also has additional regional programmes worth knowing about.

• Warmer Homes Scotland – It provides funded improvements for eligible homeowners and private tenants. The scheme is means-tested and administered through Home Energy Scotland.
• Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan – It offers combined grant and interest-free loan support for homeowners, regardless of income. You don’t need qualifying benefits to access this scheme.
• Northern Ireland’s Affordable Warmth Scheme – This supports homeowners and private tenants with a gross annual income under £23,000. You can apply via the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
• Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP) provides grants for energy efficiency measures, including heat pumps and insulation. Contact your electricity supplier or visit the Utility Regulator’s website for current availability.
• Nest – This is the Welsh Government’s energy efficiency programme. It provides free insulation, boiler replacement, and heating controls to homeowners and private tenants on low incomes or with health conditions worsened by cold.

Use our guide to learn about the different types of boilers, including condensing boilers, LPG boilers, oil boilers, and OpenTherm boilers, and calculate boiler size.

Other Energy Grants You May Be Eligible For

You might be able to apply to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). The BUS provides upfront capital grants to replace fossil fuel heating systems with low-carbon alternatives. You can get £7,500 toward an air or ground source heat pump, or £5,000 toward a biomass boiler in eligible rural properties. If you have a private landlord, they might be able to apply to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Your chosen MCS-certified installer applies on your behalf.

The Warm Home Discount provides a £150 rebate applied directly to your electricity bill. You receive it automatically in England and Wales if you’re on Pension Credit or certain qualifying benefits. In Scotland, some households still need to apply. The scheme will reopen in October 2026.

The Winter Fuel Payment is a tax-free annual payment between £100 and £300 to help you pay winter heating costs if you were born before 28 June 1960. From winter 2025/26, the government reinstated it for all pensioners, with a clawback mechanism for those earning over £35,000 annually. You receive it automatically if you already qualify.

The Crisis and Resilience Fund, which replaced the Household Support Fund in England from 1 April 2026, supports households in short-term financial difficulty, including those facing a broken boiler or forced to leave rented accommodation. Contact your local council to ask about availability in your area.

What Replaces the ECO Grant Scheme: The Warm Homes Plan

The Warm Homes Plan aims to upgrade 5 million homes by 2030 through direct support for those on low incomes and in fuel poverty. Grants and innovative low- and zero-interest finance are available to all, and new rules ensure that tenants in both the private and social rented sectors have lower bills and warmer, more comfortable homes.

Low-income and fuel-poor households will benefit from around £5 billion investment to 2030, with £4.4 billion in direct capital grants backed by an initial £600 million from the Warm Homes Fund. The scheme will initially be delivered through the existing Warm Homes Social Housing Fund and Local Grant before being consolidated and integrated into a single scheme for low-income households.

You might be able to apply to the Warm Homes: Local Grant scheme, which is delivered through local councils rather than energy suppliers. If you rent your home, you should talk to your landlord before you apply. You’ll need permission from them if you want to make changes to your home.

Details on interest rates, loan terms, and how to apply are still being confirmed and are expected later in 2026. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme continues under the Warm Homes Plan with the same £7,500 grant for heat pumps, running through to 2030.

The most important practical point is not to wait for Warm Homes Plan successor schemes before acting, since the details are still being finalised. If you’re planning to apply to the ECO scheme, you should start your application as soon as you can.

The ECO Grant Scheme for Landlords and Tenants

ECO4 supports both private tenants and landlords, but eligibility works differently depending on your situation.

Private Tenants

Your eligibility for ECO4 is based on your own circumstances. You must meet the qualifying benefits, Child Benefit, debt, or ECO4 Flex criteria. Your property must meet the relevant EPC requirements. You should talk to your landlord before you apply. You’ll need permission from them if you want to make changes to your home. Your landlord might have to pay some of the cost of making the improvements.

If you can’t apply or your application is unsuccessful, your landlord might be able to apply for help from other schemes.

Landlords

If your tenant qualifies for ECO4, you can allow the work to proceed at no cost to you. The improvements stay with the property and raise its EPC rating. If you own the property and rent it out, your private landlord might be able to apply to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

If you have a social landlord, for example, a local council or housing association, ask if they applied for funding through the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund. Government-owned properties and council homes don’t qualify through the standard ECO4 route.

ECO4 Grant Scheme Insulation Quality Problems: What You Need to Know Before Applying

In October 2025, the National Audit Office published a report on the quality of insulation installed under ECO4. Its findings are significant whether you’re considering applying or have already had work done.

What the NAO Found

98% of homes that had external wall insulation installed under ECO4 before 16 January 2025 had major issues requiring remediation. Of those, 6% present immediate health and safety risks, with the NAO estimating 22,000 to 23,000 homes fall into this category.

For internal wall insulation, 29% of homes have major issues requiring remediation, with 2% presenting immediate health and safety risks. The NAO estimates 9,000 to 13,000 homes fall into this category.

The report identified an under-skilled workforce, businesses cutting corners, and insufficient clarity over installation standards as the primary causes of these failures.

If You’ve Already Had Insulation Work Done

Check your walls and ceilings for damp, mould, or cold spots. If you have concerns, contact Ofgem’s dedicated ECO4 complaints process. The government also publishes guidance on what to do if you’ve had poor-quality wall insulation fitted through a government scheme.

If You’re Considering Applying for Insulation

Insulation remains available under ECO4. Consumer protection during the extension will rely on strengthened compliance measures already introduced, including stricter audits, independent inspections, and enhanced supplier processes. Only use a TrustMark-registered installer and ensure you verify registration before agreeing to any work.

How to Avoid ECO Grant Scams and Find a Legitimate Installer

ECO4 scams specifically target the vulnerable households the scheme is designed to help. Knowing the warning signs protects you before you start the process.

Use Only TrustMark-Registered Installers

All installers delivering ECO4 work must hold TrustMark registration. Ask for the registration number upfront and verify it. A legitimate installer provides it without hesitation.

Warning Signs of a Scam

Watch for these:

• Any company asking for an upfront fee for a survey, assessment, or application

• Cold callers claiming you’re “automatically entitled” without any assessment
• Companies pressuring you to sign immediately
• Installers who won’t provide their TrustMark registration number
• Anyone claiming to act “on behalf of the government” while requesting personal details

The ECO4 scheme is free to access at every stage. No legitimate application, assessment, or registration fee exists.

Final Thoughts on the ECO Grant Scheme for Homeowners and Tenants

If you receive qualifying benefits, are in energy debt with your supplier, or live in a home with a poor EPC rating, check your eligibility and apply now. ECO4 can replace a failing boiler, insulate a cold home, or install first-time central heating at no cost to you. It’s one of the most valuable benefits currently available to eligible UK households.

If you’re planning to apply to the ECO scheme, you should start your application as soon as you can. They might stop taking applications sooner than 31 December 2026. The Warm Homes Plan successor schemes are not yet open for applications. Don’t wait for them.

If you don’t qualify for ECO4 and need a new boiler, comparing fixed prices from a Gas Safe-registered online installer is your most cost-effective alternative.

FAQs on the ECO Grant Scheme

How Long Does the ECO4 Application Take?

From your initial eligibility check to completed installation, the process typically takes 4 to 12 weeks. Complex installations or high-demand periods can take longer.

What Is the Income Limit for ECO4?

ECO4’s benefits routes have no income limit, and receiving a qualifying benefit is sufficient. The ECO4 Flex low-income route uses a threshold of annual household income under £31,000. For the Child Benefit route, the income limit varies based on your household size. Contact your local council to confirm your specific threshold.

Does Receiving an ECO Grant Affect My Benefits?

No. Receiving improvements through ECO4 doesn’t affect any benefits you receive, including Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or Housing Benefit.

Can I Apply for the ECO Scheme If I Rent?

You might be able to apply to the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme if you rent your home. You should talk to your landlord before you apply. You’ll need permission from them if you want to make changes to your home. Your property must have an EPC of E, F or G if you rent privately.

When Does ECO4 End?

ECO4 will be extended by nine months, ending on 31 December 2026, to allow suppliers additional time to meet existing targets and remediate non-compliant installations. They might stop taking applications sooner than 31 December 2026. Apply as soon as possible.

What Replaces ECO4 After 2026?

There will be no successor supplier obligation to ECO4. The Warm Homes Plan replaces the ECO framework with government-funded grants and loans. The primary successor for low-income households is the Warm Homes: Local Grant, delivered through local councils. Full eligibility details are still being confirmed.

Is ECO4 Legitimate?

Yes. ECO4 is a genuine government scheme administered by Ofgem under statutory obligations on energy suppliers. Always access it through your local council, an Ofgem-listed energy supplier, or a TrustMark-registered installer.

Sources and References

• Department for Energy Security & Net Zero – Extending the ECO4 end date: government response
• GOV.UK – Find an energy certificate
• Citizens Advice – Get help paying for energy efficiency home improvements
• GOV.UK – Warm Home Discount Scheme
• GOV.UK – Winter Fuel Payment
• Department for Work & Pensions – Crisis and Resilience Fund
• Department for Energy Security & Net Zero – Warm Homes Plan
• The National Audit Office – Energy efficiency installations under the Energy Company Obligation
• TrustMark – Find the right tradesperson for you