ECO4 is a £4 billion government scheme that funds energy-efficiency improvements for low-income households, not a cash payment to homeowners.
The ECO4 grant is a legal obligation on large energy suppliers to fund energy-saving upgrades in low-income and fuel-poor homes. It runs from 2022 to March 2026 and is part of the government’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme (GOV.UK, 2026). The key distinction is that the grant pays the installer directly for the work; the homeowner receives no cash payment.
ECO4 is a £4 billion government scheme that pays for home energy upgrades, not cash. You qualify if you receive a means-tested benefit and your home has an EPC rating of D to G. An installer handles the application and work.
- ECO4 is a £4 billion government scheme, not a cash payment.
- You must receive a means-tested benefit to qualify.
- Your home needs an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G.
- The grant pays the installer directly for energy-saving measures.
- Apply through an approved installer, not directly to the government.
- ECO4 is a £4 billion government scheme that funds energy-efficiency improvements for low-income households, not a cash payment to homeowners.
- The ECO4 grant is only available to households receiving specific means-tested benefits
- Your property must have a low Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating to qualify
- The grant covers a fixed set of measures, not custom renovations
- Quick numbers, key eligibility thresholds and grant values
- The only way to get the ECO4 grant is through an MCS-certified installer, you cannot apply directly
- How to confirm you qualify, the three-step check
- The ECO4 grant ends in March 2026, applications must be submitted before the deadline
ECO4 is not a cash handout. The money covers the full or partial cost of measures like insulation, heating systems, and solar panels. The installer claims the grant from the energy supplier after completing the work. You do not receive a cheque or bank transfer.
The ECO4 grant is only available to households receiving specific means-tested benefits
To qualify for ECO4, you or someone in your household must be receiving one or more of the following means-tested benefits:
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit (via local authority flexibilities)
- Child Benefit (under a separate low-income route for families with a gross annual income below a set threshold)
You must be a homeowner or a private tenant to apply. Social-housing tenants are ineligible for ECO4 because a separate scheme covers their properties (Ofgem, 2026).
Your property must have a low Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating to qualify
Your home must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F, or G before any ECO4-funded work begins. Properties already at EPC band C or above are ineligible for the main scheme (DESNZ, 2026).
An EPC is a document that rates your home’s energy efficiency on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). You can find your current EPC on the gov.uk EPC register using your report number.
The grant covers a fixed set of measures, not custom renovations
ECO4 funds a specific list of energy-efficiency improvements. The eligible measures are:
- Loft insulation
- Cavity-wall insulation
- Solid-wall insulation (internal or external)
- Underfloor insulation
- Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels (up to 3.84 kWp)
- Air-source heat pumps
- Ground-source heat pumps
- First-time central heating (gas or electric)
Ineligible measures include double glazing, boiler replacements, smart thermostats, and cosmetic upgrades (Ofgem, 2023). The scheme is built to improve your home’s energy performance, not to fund general home improvements.
Quick numbers, key eligibility thresholds and grant values
| Measure | Typical grant value (GBP) | EPC improvement target | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loft insulation | £500–£1,500 | Raises EPC by 1–2 bands | EST “ECO4 Cost Caps” |
| Solid-wall insulation | £2,000–£10,000 | Raises EPC by 2–3 bands | EST “ECO4 Cost Caps” |
| Air-source heat pump | £7,500–£12,000 | Raises EPC by 1–2 bands | EST “ECO4 Cost Caps” |
| Solar PV (3.84 kWp) | £3,000–£5,000 | Raises EPC by 1 band | EST “ECO4 Cost Caps” |
| First-time central heating | £5,000–£8,000 | Raises EPC by 2–3 bands | EST “ECO4 Cost Caps” |
All figures are maximums. The actual grant depends on your property size, location, and the installer’s assessment (Energy Saving Trust, 2026).
The only way to get the ECO4 grant is through an MCS-certified installer, you cannot apply directly
You cannot apply for ECO4 directly to the government or your energy supplier. The process works through an MCS-certified installer. MCS stands for the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, a quality assurance scheme for renewable energy technologies. For insulation work, the installer must also be registered with TrustMark, a government-endorsed quality scheme (MCS, 2026; TrustMark, 2026).
You contact a certified installer or a scheme administrator like AgilityEco, E.ON, or British Gas. The installer carries out a free survey, verifies your eligibility, and applies to the energy supplier on your behalf. You do not need to handle the paperwork yourself.
How to confirm you qualify, the three-step check
Follow these three steps to check your eligibility for the ECO4 grant:
- Check your benefits status. Compare your benefits against the Ofgem eligibility list provided above. You must be receiving at least one of the qualifying means-tested benefits.
- Obtain your EPC rating. Visit the gov.uk EPC register and enter your postcode or report number. Your EPC must be band D, E, F, or G. This check costs nothing if you have your report number (GOV.UK, 2026).
- Contact an MCS-registered installer. Use the MCS finder tool to locate a certified installer near you. They will arrange a free survey, verify your eligibility, and apply for the grant on your behalf (MCS, 2026).
how to find a trusted installer for home energy upgrades
The ECO4 grant ends in March 2026, applications must be submitted before the deadline
All ECO4-funded installations must be completed and claimed by the energy supplier by 31 March 2026. After this date, the successor scheme (ECO5) will begin, with updated eligibility rules and eligible measures (DESNZ, 2025).
If you think you may qualify, contact an installer as soon as possible. The application and installation process can take several weeks, so waiting until the final months may mean you miss the deadline.
what to expect from the ECO5 grant scheme from 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
The ECO4 grant pays for energy-saving improvements in your home, but you receive no cash. An approved installer carries out the work and claims the grant from your energy supplier. You must be a homeowner or private tenant receiving a qualifying benefit, as confirmed by Ofgem.
ECO4 covers the full or partial cost of insulation, heating systems, and solar panels. The exact measures depend on your home's EPC rating and what an installer recommends. The Energy Saving Trust lists common upgrades like loft insulation and heat pumps.
You qualify if you or someone in your household receives a means-tested benefit such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or Child Tax Credit. You must also be a homeowner or private tenant with an EPC rating of D to G, as stated by DESNZ.
No, the ECO4 grant is not a cash payment. It pays the installer directly for the work completed on your home. You will not receive a cheque or bank transfer, as clarified by GOV.UK.
You cannot apply directly to the government for ECO4. Instead, contact an approved installer who will check your eligibility and arrange a survey. The installer then handles the grant claim with your energy supplier.
