What is ECO4?
ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation 4) is the fourth phase of a government scheme that requires large energy suppliers to fund free energy efficiency upgrades for low-income and fuel-poor households across the UK.
Under ECO4, eligible households can receive fully funded insulation, boiler replacements, or heat pump installations — at no cost to the homeowner or renter. The scheme is delivered by approved installers acting on behalf of the energy suppliers who fund the work.
ECO4 has been extended and will run until 31 December 2026. After that date, it will be replaced by the Warm Homes Plan, which launches more fully from 2026 onwards.
What can you get for free?
ECO4 funds a range of improvements depending on your home's needs and what measures are most cost-effective. All works are fully funded for eligible households.
Loft Insulation
Insulating an uninsulated or poorly insulated loft can significantly reduce heat loss. Most homes with a loft are eligible for this measure.
Cavity Wall Insulation
Homes built after around 1920 often have cavity walls which can be filled to dramatically reduce energy bills and improve comfort.
Boiler Replacement
If your boiler is old, inefficient, or broken, ECO4 can fund a replacement with a modern, efficient boiler at no cost to you.
Heat Pump Installation
In suitable properties, air source or ground source heat pumps may be funded under ECO4, providing low-carbon heating at no upfront cost.
Who qualifies for ECO4?
There are two main routes to ECO4 eligibility — through qualifying benefits, or through your property's energy efficiency rating.
Qualifying benefits
If you or anyone in your household receives any of the following, you are likely eligible:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Child Benefit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Housing Benefit
- Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit
Poor energy efficiency
Even without qualifying benefits, you may be eligible if your home has a poor EPC rating or high heat loss characteristics:
- EPC rating of D, E, F or G
- Older properties with solid walls or poor insulation
- Homes with high estimated heating costs
- Both homeowners and private renters can apply
If you don't know your EPC rating, an approved installer can check this for free during a property assessment.
Council and housing association tenants should contact their landlord directly about ECO4 upgrades.
ECO4 ends 31 December 2026
Funding is allocated on a first-come basis and some supplier quotas are already filling up. If you think you may qualify, check your eligibility now while funding is still available.
Check ECO4 eligibility →How it works
Check your eligibility
Answer a few questions about your household benefits, property type, EPC rating and location. Takes about 2 minutes.
Get your initial result
We show whether your household looks like a strong, medium or lower-likelihood candidate for ECO4 based on your answers.
Get matched with an installer
If eligible, we match you with an approved local installer who will arrange a free property assessment to confirm exactly what your home qualifies for.
Common ECO4 questions
Check if your home qualifies for free ECO4 upgrades
Our free 2-minute eligibility checker gives you an initial indication based on your household details. No obligation to continue.
Start the eligibility check