ECO4 ends 31 December 2026 — what replaces it in Belfast City
ECO4 has been extended once, to 31 December 2026, so suppliers can finish existing targets and fix faulty installs only. There are no new targets, no carry-over and no ECO5. The Great British Insulation Scheme closed to new applications on 31 March 2026.
Northern Ireland is outside ECO and outside the Warm Homes: Local Grant. The main help here is the Affordable Warmth Scheme, run through the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, and the Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP), which has been administered under the NI Utility Regulator. Both are subject to funding.
You are likely to qualify if:
- You own your home, or you rent privately.
- Gross annual household income is under £23,000.
- Your home needs insulation, heating or window improvements.
Apply directly to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive; councils no longer make the referral.
Check the Warm Homes route for Belfast City →Available Grants in Belfast City
Residents in the Belfast City Council area can access several government-funded energy efficiency schemes. Here's what's currently available:
ECO4 Scheme
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) can fully fund energy improvements for households receiving qualifying benefits (installers sometimes ask for a top-up). Measures include loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation, boiler replacements, solar panels, and air source heat pumps. Your property needs an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G.
Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
The GBIS closed to new applications on 31 March 2026 — if you don't claim benefits, check LA Flex and the Warm Homes: Local Grant instead. Until it closed, GBIS provided free or heavily subsidised insulation to properties in council tax bands A-D (England). No means test is required — eligibility is based on your property, not your income.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers £7,500 towards an air source or ground source heat pump (£5,000 for a biomass boiler). Available to homeowners in England and Wales replacing fossil-fuel heating, with no income test (a valid EPC has not been required since 28 April 2026). It is not available in Northern Ireland.
Warm Home Discount
A £150 discount on your electricity bill each winter. Most eligible households receive this automatically.
LA Flex Eligibility — Belfast City
Even if you don't receive qualifying benefits, you may still qualify for ECO4 through the Local Authority Flexible Eligibility (LA Flex) route. Each council sets its own criteria.
Belfast City Council — LA Flex
Northern Ireland operates separate energy efficiency schemes. The Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP) and Affordable Warmth Scheme provide similar support to ECO4.
How to Apply
- Check your eligibility — Enter your postcode above or use our eligibility checker
- Get matched with installers — We'll connect you with TrustMark-registered, PAS 2030/2035-certified installers in Belfast City
- Free home survey — An assessor visits to evaluate your property and recommend measures
- Installation — Approved contractors carry out the work, usually within 4-8 weeks
📋 Sources & Data
- EPC data sourced from Open EPC Register (DLUHC)
- Ofgem — ECO4 Programme Data
- DESNZ — Household Energy Efficiency Statistics
- LA Flex criteria sourced from Belfast City Council published guidance
- Last verified: 4 March 2026