One in five households that received an ECO grant in 2021 are now eligible for a second measure under the 2026 scheme rules
If you had an energy-efficiency grant installed a few years ago, you might wonder whether you can get help with another measure now. The answer is yes, but only under specific conditions. According to the DESNZ ECO4 annual report published in March 2026, 22% of homes that received funding under the previous ECO3 scheme now meet the eligibility criteria for a different measure under the current rules (DESNZ, ECO4 data release, 2026).
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a rolling government programme that runs in phases, each with its own rules. Having received a grant in the past does not automatically disqualify you from applying again. The key shift is from ECO3 (which ended in March 2022) to ECO4 (April 2022 to March 2026), and now to the confirmed ECO+ extension (April 2026 to March 2031), each with updated eligibility thresholds (DESNZ, ECO+ policy document, 2026). A repeat grant is possible only if the new measure is different from the one previously installed. For example, if you had loft insulation under ECO3, you could apply for cavity wall insulation under ECO4 or ECO+.
The eligibility rules for a second grant are stricter than the first
The eligibility criteria for a second grant are tighter than they were for the first. The household must still be on a qualifying benefit or have a low income. Qualifying benefits include Universal Credit, Pension Credit, and Child Tax Credit (with a household income below £20,000 per year) (GOV.UK, Energy Company Obligation eligibility, 2026).
Your property must also have a low Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating. Typically, this means E, F, or G. If the first grant improved your EPC rating to D or above, a second grant is unlikely. A new EPC or in-home assessment is required to prove the need for the second measure. The previous grant’s assessment cannot be reused. If the first grant was for a heating system replacement, such as a boiler, the second grant cannot be for the same system type unless the original has failed and is beyond repair. In that case, an installer report is required to confirm the failure (GOV.UK, ECO eligibility and applications, 2026).
Quick numbers costs, savings, and grant amounts for repeat applications
The table below shows typical costs, annual savings, and grant amounts for common measures under ECO4 and ECO+. Savings figures come from the Energy Saving Trust (Energy Saving Trust, Home energy efficiency, 2026). Grant amounts are based on Ofgem ECO4 delivery data for the first quarter of 2026 (Ofgem, ECO4 delivery data, 2026).
| Measure type | Typical cost (£) | Annual saving (£) | Grant amount range (£) | Typical grant coverage (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loft insulation (top-up) | £300–£600 | £40–£80 | £200–£500 | 60–80% |
| Cavity wall insulation | £500–£1,200 | £100–£200 | £400–£1,000 | 70–90% |
| Gas boiler replacement | £2,500–£4,500 | £150–£250 | £1,500–£3,000 | 50–70% |
| Air source heat pump | £7,000–£13,000 | £200–£400 | £5,000–£9,000 | 60–80% |
| Solid wall insulation | £8,000–£22,000 | £200–£500 | £6,000–£18,000 | 70–85% |
Repeat grants for the same measure type are capped at 50% of the original grant amount (Ofgem, ECO rules, 2026).
Your second grant is most likely for a different energy-saving measure
Because the rules require a different measure for a second grant, common pairings have emerged. According to the DESNZ policy document for ECO4, typical repeat combinations include: first grant for loft insulation, second grant for cavity wall insulation; first grant for a boiler, second grant for smart heating controls; and first grant for draft-proofing, second grant for solar photovoltaic (PV) panels (DESNZ, ECO4 policy document, 2026).
If your first grant was for a heat pump, the second grant can be for solar panels to power it under the ECO+ extension. However, you cannot get a second grant for another heat pump. The installer must confirm that the first measure is still functional and not causing issues, such as blocked vents or damp, before a second measure can be added. This check is part of the new in-home assessment (Energy Saving Trust, 2026).
How to verify an installer for a second grant application
Finding the right installer is critical because the grant is paid to them, not to you. For heat pumps, solar panels, or insulation, the installer must be MCS-certified and registered with TrustMark (GOV.UK, Find an MCS-certified installer, 2026). For gas boiler replacements, the installer must be Gas Safe registered (Gas Safe Register, 2026). For electrical measures like smart heating controls, the installer must be NICEIC or NAPIT registered (NICEIC, 2026).
You must also check that the installer is listed on the Ofgem ECO register to ensure the grant is claimable (Ofgem, ECO4 installer list, 2026). Always request a written quote that states the grant amount and the installer’s certification numbers before work begins.
A second grant is not a repeat, it is a new application under the current scheme
The phrase “second grant” is misleading. Each application is assessed independently under the rules in force at the time (Ofgem, ECO4 guidance for households, 2026). The original grant’s paperwork, including the EPC and installer report, is not transferable. A new assessment is required. The grant is paid to the installer, not the homeowner, so you must find an approved installer willing to work under the current scheme.
If the household has changed ownership since the first grant, the new owner can apply as a first-time applicant with no previous grant history. This is a common scenario for homes sold within the past few years (GOV.UK, ECO eligibility, 2026).
What happens if your home’s EPC rating improved after the first grant?
If the first grant raised your EPC rating from F to D, a second grant for a whole-house measure like solid wall insulation is unlikely because the property is no longer in the lowest bands. However, a second grant for a “top-up” measure may still be available. For example, loft insulation top-up from 100mm to 270mm is possible if the EPC shows a “very poor” score for that element (GOV.UK, Energy Performance Certificate data, 2026).
You can request a new EPC assessment before applying. The assessor will calculate the potential for further improvement. If the EPC rating is already C or above, no second grant is available under ECO4 or ECO+ (DESNZ, 2026 scheme rules).
