ECO4 ends 31 December 2026 — what replaces it
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.
In England the replacement for low-income households is the Warm Homes: Local Grant — a £500m scheme delivered by councils and their appointed installers from April 2025 to March 2028. It funds insulation, heating and solar in full for privately owned and privately rented homes rated EPC D to G.
One of these three routes must apply:
- Household income under £36,000 a year before tax; or
- Someone in the home gets one of: Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance; or
- The home is in a postcode the government lists as among the most deprived (IMD deciles 1–2).
On top of one of those routes, the home must be rated EPC D to G and you must be an owner-occupier or a private tenant (with your landlord's consent — rented homes rated F or G need a registered MEES exemption). Social housing is not eligible.
Not every council joined, delivery is postcode-by-postcode, and councils must contact eligible households within 10 working days of a referral.
Check the Warm Homes route for your home →You can also apply directly through the government's checker on GOV.UK.
All Energy Grants Available to Pensioners
Pensioners in the UK can access multiple energy grants and support schemes. If you receive Pension Credit, you unlock the most generous support — including free home improvements worth thousands of pounds. Here's every scheme available in 2026. On Attendance Allowance? Attendance Allowance qualifies you for a free boiler through ECO4.
| Scheme | What You Get | Who Qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| ECO4 | Free insulation, boilers, heat pumps | Pension Credit recipients |
| GBIS | Closed 31 March 2026 | Was: council tax bands A-D (no benefits needed) |
| Warm Home Discount | £150 off electricity bill | Pension Credit (Guarantee) — automatic |
| Winter Fuel Payment | £200-£300/year | Pension Credit recipients (means-tested) |
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme | £7,500 towards heat pump | All homeowners (no income test) |
ECO4 — Free Home Improvements Through Pension Credit
If you receive Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit), you automatically qualify for ECO4. This means you can get completely free:
- Loft insulation — save up to £590/year
- Cavity wall insulation — save up to £395/year
- Solid wall insulation — save up to £475/year
- Boiler replacement — new A-rated condensing boiler
- Air source heat pump — low-carbon heating
- Underfloor insulation — for suspended timber floors
Your home must have an EPC rating requirements of D or below (most older properties qualify). Check your eligibility now.
Important: Around 880,000 pensioners who are eligible for Pension Credit don't claim it. If you're on a low income in retirement, check your Pension Credit eligibility first — it unlocks thousands of pounds in energy grants.
Warm Home Discount — £150 Off Your Electricity Bill
The Warm Home Discount provides a one-off £150 discount on your electricity bill each winter. If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you should receive this automatically — no application needed. Your energy supplier applies the credit between October and March.
You don't need to call anyone or fill in forms. If you're on Pension Credit (Guarantee) and haven't received it, contact your energy supplier.
Winter Fuel Payment 2026
The Winter Fuel Payment is a tax-free annual payment to help with heating costs:
- Born before 23 September 1944 (80+): up to £300
- Born between 23 September 1944 and 22 September 1958: up to £200
Since winter 2024/25, the Winter Fuel Payment is means-tested. You only qualify if you receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit energy grants, Income Support, income-based JSA, income-related ESA, or certain other benefits. It is paid automatically in November or December — no need to apply.
Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) — No Benefits Needed
Even if you don't receive Pension Credit or any benefits, you may still qualify for free insulation through GBIS. If your home is in council tax band energy grants A-D, you can get free loft insulation or cavity wall insulation regardless of your income. This is a separate scheme from ECO4 and has no means test for the council tax band pathway.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
All homeowners — regardless of income or benefits — can receive a £7,500 government grant towards an air source heat pump through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. This reduces the typical cost from £12,000 to around £4,500. The scheme runs until 2028.
How to Claim Pension Credit
If you're not already claiming Pension Credit and think you might be eligible, you can apply:
- Online: at gov.uk/pension-credit
- By phone: 0800 99 1234 (free, Mon-Fri 8am-6pm)
- By post: download the form from gov.uk
You may qualify for Pension Credit if your weekly income is below £218.15 (single) or £332.95 (couple). Claiming Pension Credit unlocks ECO4, Warm Home Discount, and Winter Fuel Payment.