ECO4
Free Insulation and Heating Upgrades

What Is ECO4?

ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation 4) is a government scheme that requires the UK's largest energy suppliers to fund energy efficiency improvements for low-income and vulnerable households. The measures are free at the point of delivery - the cost is met by the energy supplier, not the householder.

The scheme is administered by Ofgem and is one of the most significant sources of funding for home energy improvements in the UK, covering insulation, heating upgrades and in some cases heat pump installation.

Who Qualifies for ECO4?

ECO4 has two main eligibility routes:

Route 1 - Benefits-based: You receive one of the following qualifying benefits:

• Universal Credit
• Pension Credit (Guarantee or Savings)
• Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income Support
• Housing Benefit
• Child Benefit (subject to income cap)

Route 2 - Low EPC rating: Your property has an EPC rating of D, E, F or G AND your household income is below the scheme threshold. This route is intended to bring the least energy-efficient homes up to a minimum standard regardless of benefit status.

Your property must also have a current EPC or be assessed as part of the application process. Properties that already have adequate insulation in place may not qualify for further measures under that category.

What Does ECO4 Cover?

The specific measures available depend on your property type and what will deliver the greatest improvement in energy performance. Common measures include:

• Loft insulation - topping up or installing insulation in an uninsulated or under-insulated loft
• Cavity wall insulation - filling the gap between the inner and outer leaf of a cavity wall
• Solid wall insulation - internal or external insulation for properties without a cavity
• Underfloor insulation - insulating suspended timber ground floors
• First-time central heating - installing a full central heating system where none exists
• Air source heat pump - where a heat pump is the most appropriate low-carbon replacement for the existing system
• Solar PV panels - in some cases, alongside other measures

ECO4 focuses on whole-house improvement rather than single measures. Installers are required to model the energy performance impact of proposed measures before proceeding.

Landlords and Tenants

ECO4 applies to privately rented and social housing as well as owner-occupied properties. If you are a tenant and you believe you qualify, your landlord's permission is required before work can proceed - but the landlord cannot charge you for any measures installed under ECO4.

Landlords can also engage directly with the scheme to improve the energy performance of properties they let, provided the tenants meet the eligibility criteria. For landlords, improving EPC ratings also reduces exposure to future minimum EPC regulations for the private rented sector.

How to Apply

1. Check your eligibility using the government's Simple Energy Advice service at simpleenergyadvice.org.uk or by contacting your energy supplier directly.
2. Contact an ECO4 registered installer or broker. Many operate on a no-obligation basis and will carry out a home assessment to identify which measures you qualify for.
3. Your installer submits the application to the relevant energy supplier and manages the paperwork on your behalf.
4. Measures are installed at a time agreed with you, at no cost. The installer is paid directly by the energy supplier.

You do not need to approach your own energy supplier - any ECO4 registered installer can access the scheme funding regardless of which supplier you are with.

Check eligibility at Simple Energy Advice →