ECO4 Scheme Explained: Free Home Energy Upgrades in 2026
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) is the largest UK scheme paying for energy efficiency upgrades in low-income and vulnerable households. Funded by the big energy suppliers and running until March 2026, it can cover insulation, heating system upgrades and even small renewable installations at little or no cost. This guide explains who actually qualifies in 2026, what is funded, and the practical steps to take to avoid the rogue installers that have plagued the scheme.
Who qualifies for ECO4
ECO4 is targeted at low-income, fuel-poor and vulnerable households. The main qualifying route is receipt of a means-tested benefit: Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based JSA or ESA, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Housing Benefit all count. Disability benefits paired with a low income can also qualify.
A secondary route, called LA Flex (Local Authority Flexible Eligibility), lets councils refer households on the basis of low income, vulnerability to cold or a health condition made worse by cold homes, even without a qualifying benefit. Each council publishes its own LA Flex criteria — incomes up to £31,000 are common thresholds in 2026.
Properties must be owner-occupied or privately rented (with landlord consent) and have a current EPC rating of D, E, F or G. Newer, well-insulated homes (EPC A to C) are not eligible because the scheme targets the worst-performing stock.
What measures are funded
Loft, cavity wall and solid wall insulation are the most commonly installed measures because they offer the best carbon and bill savings per pound. Underfloor insulation, draught-proofing and room-in-roof insulation are also funded where appropriate.
Heating upgrades include first-time central heating systems, broken boiler replacements (where the household is on benefits and the boiler is irreparable) and, increasingly, air source heat pumps. ECO4 also funds smart heating controls and, in limited cases, solar PV when paired with insulation as part of a 'whole house' upgrade.
How the application process works
You do not apply directly to ECO4. Instead, an installer or an energy supplier surveys your home, confirms eligibility against an obligated supplier's criteria, and submits the work for funding. The installer must be TrustMark-registered and PAS 2030 certified for the measure they install.
After the survey, you should receive a written quote showing the full cost, the ECO4 contribution and any contribution you must make. For deeply fuel-poor households the ECO4 contribution often covers 100 percent of the cost. For households qualifying through LA Flex, a partial contribution is more common — typically 25 to 75 percent.
Avoiding rogue installers
ECO has attracted aggressive cold-callers and rogue traders since it began. Never sign anything during a doorstep or phone visit. Genuine installers will give you a written quote, full PAS 2030 and TrustMark numbers and a clear explanation of the work and any guarantee.
Check the TrustMark register and the relevant scheme provider (e.g. CIGA for cavity wall insulation, IAA for solid wall) for an installer's number. Ask for at least one recent local reference. Walk away from any installer who pressures you, asks for cash up-front or refuses to leave a quote in writing.
What changes in 2026 and beyond
ECO4 is scheduled to run until 31 March 2026. The successor scheme, ECO+ (rebranded as the Great British Insulation Scheme) widens eligibility to households in lower council tax bands with EPC ratings of D or below, even without a qualifying benefit. It is smaller in scope (largely loft and cavity wall insulation) but reaches a much broader population.
If you qualify under ECO4 today, do not wait for the successor scheme — the deeper, more valuable measures (solid wall insulation, heat pumps) are being installed under ECO4 and may not be available under GBIS at the same level.
Frequently asked questions
Is ECO4 always free?
Often yes for benefit recipients, especially for insulation. Heat pumps and solid wall insulation can require a household contribution depending on property type and EPC rating.
Can private tenants apply?
Yes, with the landlord's written consent. The landlord may need to make a contribution for some measures.
How long does it take?
From survey to installation typically 6 to 12 weeks, longer for heat pumps which require a Heat Loss Survey and design.