ECO4 Scheme Explained: Free Energy Upgrades Before December 2026

ECO4 is the UK’s biggest free home energy grant — worth up to £14,000 for eligible households. It closes 31 December 2026 with no replacement confirmed. Here’s everything you need to know.

The ECO4 scheme is the UK government’s most generous home energy grant — and most people who qualify have never heard of it. It can cover the full cost of insulation, heating upgrades, heat pumps, and even solar panels for eligible households. Not a loan. Not means-tested in the traditional sense. Free.

The scheme was extended by 9 months to 31 December 2026 — and the government has confirmed there will be no ECO5 replacement. If you qualify, this is your last chance to access this level of funding. Here’s everything you need to know.

What Is the ECO4 Scheme?

ECO stands for Energy Company Obligation. It’s a legal requirement placed on large UK energy suppliers — including British Gas, EDF, E.ON, and Octopus — to fund energy efficiency improvements in low-income and vulnerable households. The cost doesn’t come from the government’s budget — it comes from the energy suppliers, who pass a small portion of the cost on to all their customers through bills.

ECO4 is the fourth phase of the scheme, running from April 2022 to 31 December 2026. Its primary goal is to lift the worst-performing homes — EPC bands F and G — by at least two EPC bands. Homes rated D and E can also qualify but may find funding more limited as the scheme approaches its end date.

What Does ECO4 Cover?

ECO4 takes a whole-house approach — rather than funding single measures, it funds packages of improvements designed to move your home up the EPC scale. The measures covered include:

Who Qualifies for ECO4?

ECO4 eligibility is based on two criteria — you need to meet both. First your household circumstances, and second your property’s energy efficiency rating.

Criteria 1 — Household circumstances

You qualify if someone in your household receives one of these benefits:

ECO4 Flex — no benefits needed

ECO4 Flex is a separate route that allows local authorities to refer households who don’t receive qualifying benefits but are still considered vulnerable or fuel poor. Eligibility criteria vary by council but typically include households with an income under £31,000 or with certain health conditions made worse by cold homes. Contact your local council to ask about ECO4 Flex referrals.

Criteria 2 — Property EPC rating

Your property must have an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G. Homes rated F and G are the highest priority. D and E rated homes can qualify but may find funding more limited as suppliers approach their targets.

Can Renters Apply for ECO4?

Yes — private tenants can apply for ECO4 providing their landlord gives written permission for the work to be carried out. Most landlords are happy to agree — the improvements are free, increase the property’s EPC rating, and can help meet the government’s upcoming minimum EPC requirements for rented homes.

Social housing tenants should contact their housing provider directly — many housing associations have their own ECO arrangements in place.

How to Apply for ECO4 — Step by Step

What Happens After ECO4 Ends?

The government has confirmed there will be no ECO5 scheme. From 2027, home energy support will fall under the broader Warm Homes Plan — a £13.2 billion fund running to 2028. However, the Warm Homes Plan is delivered through local councils rather than energy suppliers, meaning coverage will be less consistent and the process slower and more bureaucratic than ECO4.

Other grants continue beyond December 2026 — the Boiler Upgrade Scheme runs until April 2028, and the Warm Homes Local Grant runs until March 2028. But neither offers the same breadth of free measures as ECO4.