Check Your Eligibility for ECO4 Home Upgrades
ECO4 is designed to help specific households upgrade their energy efficiency. Learn about the qualifications and see if your home fits the criteria
Energy Efficient
ECO4 is a government-funded initiative aimed at enhancing energy efficiency in homes across the UK and combating fuel poverty.
Save Money & Energy
Reduce your monthly energy consumption and save money on your bills with the ECO4 Scheme.
Quick Application
Apply for the ECO4 UK Government Scheme today, a quick 60 seconds application.
What is the ECO4 Scheme?
The ECO4 scheme is the fourth phase of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), a government-funded initiative aimed at enhancing energy efficiency in homes across the UK and combating fuel poverty. With over 31 million home improvements implemented since its inception in 2013, ECO has proven to be a vital program in achieving these objectives. ECO4 represents a significant expansion of the scheme, with a focus on providing increased support to low-income households. This comprehensive guide offers in-depth information on ECO4, including eligibility criteria, covered home improvements, and the application process.
Understanding the ECO4 Scheme:
ECO4 is the latest stage of the ECO scheme, which has been extended for another four years until March 2026. The primary goal of the ECO4 grant is to assist low-income households in improving their homes and heating systems. By providing support to vulnerable individuals and families, the government aims to ensure warmer and more energy-efficient homes, while also contributing to the national objective of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
What Sets ECO4 Apart from ECO3?
Although there are similarities between ECO3 and ECO4, the latter has been designed to reach a larger number of people during its implementation. Under ECO3, energy suppliers with over 150,000 domestic customers were obligated to support eligible applicants. However, ECO4 introduces a buy-out mechanism, eliminating obligation thresholds and allowing smaller energy companies to participate in the scheme.
Moreover, the eligibility criteria for ECO4 have been expanded to include low-income households that may not be receiving traditional benefits. Local authority flexibility has also been reformed and expanded, enabling energy suppliers to fulfill up to 50% of their obligation through this avenue. The government’s aim is to better target households with low incomes, which means that some non-means-tested benefits previously available under ECO3 will no longer be applicable under ECO4.
ECO4 Scheme Eligibility
The UK government is focusing on specific homeowners for their ECO4 scheme, if you believe that you fall into one of the following categories and/or qualifying benefits, then you will most likely be eligible for the ECO4 scheme:
- Armed Forces Independent Payments
- Child Benefits
- Child Tax Credits
- Disability Living Allowance (or severe disablement allowance)
- Income Related Employment
- Income Related Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
- Pension Guarantee Credit
- Personal Independence Payment Carer’s Allowance
- Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credits
Comprehensive Home Improvement Coverage:
ECO4 provides a range of home improvements, depending on the chosen energy supplier. The scheme adopts a “fabric-first” approach, prioritizing improvements to the building itself before considering upgrades to heating systems. Homes with an energy efficiency rating of D or lower are required to install loft, roof, and cavity wall insulation before proceeding with any heating system enhancements. Additionally, the scheme emphasizes the insulation of solid walls, aiming to complete 22,000 installations each year.
ECO4 encourages the repair of existing efficient heating systems whenever possible, rather than outright replacement. However, if a heating system cannot be repaired, it may be replaced through the Broken Heating Cap. Furthermore, the scheme promotes the adoption of greener heating systems by excluding coal-fueled heating systems and extending the exclusion list to include oil- and LPG-fueled heating systems. The government encourages the replacement of older boilers with more environmentally friendly alternatives such as heat pumps and biomass boilers. Additionally, installations of solar photovoltaics (PV) are available for electrically heated homes, as long as a biomass machine or District Heat Network is not a suitable option.
Applying for ECO4:
To apply for ECO4, individuals need to contact one of the energy suppliers offering the scheme. A telephone assessment will be conducted to evaluate factors such as income, benefit receipt, and the energy efficiency rating of the property. If eligibility is determined, an installer will arrange a visit to the applicant’s home to confirm suitability for the grant and to proceed with the necessary improvements.
Energy Companies Offering ECO:
All gas and electricity companies with over 150,000 customers are obligated to provide ECO measures. Energy suppliers offering ECO4 include British Gas, E, EON, Ecotricity, EDF, ESB Energy, Octopus Energy, Outfox The Market, OVO Energy, Scottish Power, Shell Energy, SO Energy, The Co-operative Energy, The Utility Warehouse, and Utilita Energy. Applicants are not limited to their current energy supplier and can choose the company that best meets their needs.
By following the steps outlined in this ultimate guide, individuals can gain access to the support offered by the ECO4 scheme. This support allows them to make their homes more energy-efficient, while simultaneously combating fuel poverty and contributing to the UK’s broader sustainability goals.
Apply for the ECO4 UK Government Grant Today
