The UK’s flagship energy efficiency programme, ECO4, is meant to cut bills and carbon, but four arrests this week show the scheme can also attract the wrong kind of attention.
As reported by Inside Housing, an appeal has been launched after four arrests in relation to the UK government’s energy efficiency scheme. The news is a jolt for the 800,000 households expected to benefit from ECO4 by 2026.
What ECO4 actually delivers
ECO4 is the fourth phase of the Energy Company Obligation, a scheme that forces large energy suppliers to fund insulation, heat pumps, solar panels, and draught-proofing in low-income and fuel-poor homes. A typical 3-bed semi can receive up to £10,000 worth of upgrades at no direct cost, provided the household qualifies. The catch is that installers must be approved by Ofgem and registered with TrustMark. Without those checks, a household risks shoddy work, invalid warranties, or worse.
Who qualifies, and who doesn’t
To be eligible for ECO4, a household must be in receipt of certain means-tested benefits (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or Housing Benefit, among others) and live in a property with an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G. The scheme targets the least efficient homes first. But the arrests suggest that some installers may have fabricated eligibility paperwork or inflated costs. Ofgem told the BBC in a separate statement that it investigates every complaint and has suspended several suppliers since ECO4 launched in July 2022.
What it costs a typical 3-bed semi
For a household that qualifies, the cost is zero, the energy supplier covers the work. But a fraudulent installer could leave a homeowner with incomplete work, a damaged EPC rating, and a bill from the supplier for work not actually done. The Energy Saving Trust warns that even a single bad installation can cost £2,000–£5,000 to rectify. Worse, if the fraud is discovered, the grant may be clawed back from the household, leaving the resident liable.
Yet the bigger risk is that honest homeowners will now hesitate to use ECO4 at all. That would be a tragedy. The scheme has already delivered loft insulation to 1.2 million homes and cavity wall insulation to 500,000, according to government figures. The arrests are a reminder, not a reason to opt out.
How to protect yourself
Three steps, in order: check the installer is on the TrustMark register; confirm they are an approved ECO4 provider via Ofgem’s list; and never sign a blank form. If a company cold-calls offering free upgrades, ask for their ECO4 registration number and call Ofgem to verify. The National Intelligence Model used in the arrests suggests organised crime is involved, so vigilance is not paranoia.
What comes next
The four arrested individuals have been released under investigation. The Crown Prosecution Service will decide on charges. Meanwhile, the government has confirmed that ECO4 funding continues until March 2026. Households on qualifying benefits should apply through their energy supplier before that date. Do not let a few bad actors cost you a warmer home and a lower bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The scheme remains open and is not suspended. Use only Ofgem-approved installers and check their TrustMark registration to avoid fraud.
Report them to Ofgem's enforcement team immediately via their website or by calling 020 3263 9400. Do not allow work to start until their credentials are verified.
