Key Takeaways
- ECO4 ends on 31 December 2026 — work must be finished by then, and there is no ECO5
- You qualify if you receive benefits like Universal Credit or Pension Credit (tax credits ended in April 2025)
- Free boilers, heat pumps, insulation, and solar panels are available
- Your property must have an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G
- LA Flex provides an alternative route if you don't receive benefits
ECO4 ends 31 December 2026: what you can get now
If you were looking at ECO4, these are the schemes you can apply to today, and the ones that keep running after it closes.
- Warm Homes: Local Grant (England) — insulation, heat pumps and solar panels for privately owned or privately rented homes rated EPC D–G, through councils taking part, if household income is £36,000 or less, someone gets a qualifying means-tested benefit, or you live in one of the most deprived postcodes. Owner-occupiers can have the work fully funded; tenants pay nothing, and a landlord gets one home fully funded, then pays 50% from the second. It runs to March 2028. Apply free on GOV.UK; your council usually contacts you within 10 working days. How it works.
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme (England & Wales) — £7,500 off an air source or ground source heat pump for most homeowners replacing fossil-fuel heating — no income or benefits test, and since 28 April 2026 no valid EPC needed. Homes heated by oil or LPG with no mains gas connection get £9,000 off an air source or ground source heat pump until 31 March 2027. The installer claims it and takes it off the quote; you pay the rest. Boiler Upgrade Scheme guide.
- In Scotland or Wales? — the Warm Homes: Local Grant is England only. In Scotland, Warmer Homes Scotland funds insulation and heating (Home Energy Scotland, 0808 808 2282); in Wales, Nest does the same for free if you get a means-tested benefit such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit, or have a low income, and your home is rated EPC E or below, or D with certain health conditions (0808 808 2244).
- Warm Home Discount — £150 off your electricity bill for winter 2026/27. In England and Wales it is usually paid automatically if you got Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or income-related ESA on 23 August 2026. Who qualifies.
- ECO4, while it lasts — ECO4 can still fund work where a local installer has capacity, but only until 31 December 2026, and the work has to be finished, not just booked. There are no new targets and no ECO5. What replaces ECO4.
Sources, checked 10 October 2026: GOV.UK Warm Homes: Local Grant, GOV.UK Boiler Upgrade Scheme, SI 2026/390, Ofgem ECO, HMRC VAT Notice 708/6, GOV.UK Warm Home Discount, Home Energy Scotland, gov.wales Nest.
What Is ECO4 and Why Does It Matter?
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) is the UK government's flagship energy efficiency scheme, requiring large energy suppliers to fund home improvements for households that need them most. It's been running since 2013, with ECO4 being the fourth and current iteration of the programme.
ECO4 matters because it provides free or heavily subsidised energy efficiency measures to homes that need them most. We're talking about free boilers, heat pumps, insulation, and even solar panels — all funded by the big energy companies as part of their legal obligations.
But here's the catch: ECO4 is ending on 31 December 2026. After that date, the scheme will close and there may not be a direct replacement. That's why if you've been thinking about upgrading your home's energy efficiency, now is the time to act.
⏰ Deadline Alert: ECO4 closes 31 December 2026. With high demand as the deadline approaches, applying now gives you the best chance of having your installation completed in time.
What's Changed from ECO3 to ECO4?
ECO4 introduced several important changes from its predecessor ECO3:
| Feature | ECO3 | ECO4 |
|---|---|---|
| EPC requirement | D-G | D-G (stricter enforcement) |
| Minimum improvements | Any | Must achieve EPC band D or above |
| Local Authority eligibility | Limited | Expanded LA Flex criteria |
| Heat pump focus | Optional | Encouraged through supplier targets |
| Scheme duration | 2022-2026 | 2022-2026 |
The key difference is that ECO4 places a greater emphasis on achieving measurable improvements in home energy efficiency. Properties must now reach an EPC rating requirements of D or above to qualify for certain measures — a change designed to ensure the scheme delivers real carbon savings.
What Can You Get Through ECO4?
ECO4 offers a wide range of energy efficiency improvements. The exact measures you're eligible for depend on your property type, current heating system, and EPC rating:
Heating Upgrades
- Free gas boiler replacement — if you currently have a broken or inefficient gas boiler
- Oil and LPG boiler replacement — available for off-grid properties
- Air source heat pumps — efficient electric heating alternatives
- Ground source heat pumps — for properties with suitable outdoor space
- Electric storage heaters — modern, efficient electric heating
Insulation Measures
- Cavity wall insulation — typical savings of £200-£400 per year
- Loft insulation — typical savings of £180-£350 per year
- Solid wall insulation — typical savings of £430-£640 per year
- Underfloor insulation — for properties with suspended floors
- Flat roof insulation — for flats and bungalows
Renewable Energy
- Solar panel systems — reduce your electricity bills and earn SEG payments
- Battery storage — store excess solar energy for later use
- Solar thermal panels — for hot water generation
Pro tip: Many households qualify for multiple measures. A typical package might include a new boiler plus cavity wall insulation, delivering combined savings of £500+ per year on your energy bills.
Who Qualifies for ECO4?
ECO4 eligibility falls into two main categories: the benefits route and the LA Flex eligibility route.
Benefits Route (Most Common)
You qualify if you receive any of these benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit or Savings Credit)
- Child Tax Credit (ended 5 April 2025 — no longer counts)
- Working Tax Credit (ended 5 April 2025 — no longer counts)
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Support (some schemes)
LA Flex Route (No Benefits Required)
If you don't receive benefits, you may still qualify through LA Flex — a local authority referral system that considers:
- Low income (below specific thresholds set by your council)
- Health conditions that affect energy costs (e.g., respiratory conditions, cardiovascular disease)
- Vulnerable household circumstances
- Properties in hard-to-heat areas
Each local council sets its own LA Flex criteria, so eligibility can vary depending on where you live. Learn more about LA Flex eligibility.
Property Requirements
Beyond personal circumstances, your property must meet certain criteria:
- EPC rating of D, E, F, or G — you can check this on the government's EPC register
- Owner-occupied or private rented — social housing has separate funding routes
- Valid gas grid connection (for gas boiler replacements) — off-grid properties may qualify for heat pumps or other measures
ECO4 vs Other Schemes
Understanding how ECO4 compares to other available schemes helps you choose the right option:
| Scheme | Closes | Eligibility | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECO4 | Dec 2026 | Benefits or LA Flex | Boilers, heat pumps, insulation, solar |
| GBIS | Closed 31 Mar 2026 | Council tax A-D | Insulation only |
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme | Extended to 2030 (vouchers to 31 Dec 2029) | All homeowners | Heat pump grants (£7,500, or £9,000 for oil and LPG homes until 31 Mar 2027) |
| Warm Home Discount | Ongoing | Certain benefits | One-off £150 payment |
Key insight: ECO4 is the most comprehensive scheme, covering both heating upgrades AND insulation. GBIS only covered insulation and closed on 31 March 2026. If you need a new boiler or want solar panels, ECO4 is your best option.
What Happens After ECO4 Ends?
There's no confirmed replacement for ECO4 at this stage. The government may introduce a successor programme, but:
- Eligibility criteria could change — potentially becoming stricter
- Funding levels are uncertain — future schemes may offer less
- Measures could be limited — focus may shift away from heating upgrades
- Waiting means risk — you may miss out entirely
Bottom line: If you qualify for ECO4, don't wait. The window is closing and there's no guarantee what — if anything — will replace it.
How to Apply for ECO4
- Check your eligibility — use our free eligibility checker (takes 60 seconds)
- Gather your documents — proof of benefits, recent energy bills, EPC certificate
- Get a free home survey — a qualified assessor will visit to determine which measures you're eligible for
- Installation scheduled — MCS-certified installers complete the work, usually at no cost to you
- Start saving — enjoy lower energy bills and a warmer home
The process typically takes 6-12 weeks from application to completed installation. With work having to be finished by 31 December 2026, an application made late in the year may not complete in time — so check now, and look at the Warm Homes: Local Grant if ECO4 can no longer be delivered where you live.