The most direct way to get ECO4 funding is to contact a government-approved installer registered with Ofgem, who will assess your home and apply on your behalf (GOV.UK, 2026). You cannot apply directly to the scheme; it is delivered through energy suppliers.
ECO4 is a scheme that funds energy-efficiency improvements for low-income, low-energy-performance homes. Eligibility depends on your household income, receipt of certain benefits, and your property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating. If you own your home or rent privately, and your EPC is D or below, you may qualify. The scheme covers insulation, heating upgrades, and solar panels, with no upfront cost to you.
Check your eligibility first
Before contacting an installer, confirm you meet the criteria. You must receive at least one qualifying benefit, such as Pension Credit, Income Support, or Child Tax Credit (GOV.UK, 2026). Your home must also have an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G. If you are unsure of your EPC, you can check it for free on the government’s EPC register. If you do not receive benefits but have a low income and poor energy performance, you may still qualify under the “flex” route, which local authorities manage.
Find an approved installer
Only TrustMark-registered installers can carry out ECO4 work. You can search the TrustMark database for local companies that offer ECO4 services (TrustMark, 2026). The installer will arrange a free home survey to measure your property’s energy performance and identify eligible improvements. They will then apply to your energy supplier for funding. The supplier must approve the application before any work starts. Avoid any installer asking for upfront payment; legitimate ECO4 work is fully funded.
Work through your energy supplier
Your current energy supplier is your first point of contact for ECO4, but any obligated supplier can fund the work. Ofgem publishes a list of obligated suppliers, which includes all major providers (Ofgem, 2026). The installer will handle this on your behalf. Once the supplier approves the funding, the installer completes the work to certified standards. After installation, you receive a certificate confirming the improvements. The entire process, from survey to completion, typically takes four to eight weeks.
A worked example
A typical 1930s semi-detached house in Manchester with an EPC rating of E and a household receiving Pension Credit would qualify for ECO4 funding covering a full package of cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, an A-rated gas boiler, and solar panels, all at no upfront cost. Under ECO4, the energy supplier funds the entire installation, so the homeowner pays £0 for work that would normally cost around £12,000. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that this package would save roughly £580 per year on heating bills, based on a 90m² property with gas heating. With the 0% VAT rate on energy-saving materials extended until March 2027, there are no hidden charges. Over 25 years, those savings total approximately £14,500, far exceeding the initial cost. The payback period is immediate because there is no upfront expense, and the home’s EPC rating typically jumps to a C or B, increasing the property’s value by an estimated 5% to 10% according to Energy Saving Trust analysis.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Upfront cost after grants | £0 |
| Yearly savings | £580 |
| Payback period | Immediate |
| 25-year lifetime savings | £14,500 |
What homeowners often get wrong
The most common mistake is assuming you can apply for ECO4 funding directly through the government or your energy supplier like a typical grant. Homeowners often try to submit an application themselves, which leads to rejection. Here are the three biggest errors to avoid
- Applying directly to a supplier or Ofgem You cannot submit an ECO4 application yourself, only a TrustMark-registered installer can do this on your behalf. If you contact your energy supplier directly, they will simply redirect you to an approved installer anyway, wasting weeks of time.
- Assuming all benefits qualify Many people think any means-tested benefit makes them eligible, but only specific ones count, such as Pension Credit, Income Support, or Universal Credit. If you receive Housing Benefit alone, you do not qualify, and you will be turned away after the initial assessment.
- Thinking the EPC must be E or worse Some homeowners believe ECO4 only covers properties rated F or G, but homes rated D also qualify. Missing this means thousands of households with a D-rated property miss out on free insulation and heating upgrades that could save them £400 a year.
Quick reference
- ECO4 funding is available from April 2022 to March 2026, with total scheme value of £4 billion across all energy suppliers.
- You must receive a qualifying benefit such as Pension Credit, Income Support, Universal Credit, or Child Tax Credit to be eligible for the main route.
- Your home must have an Energy Performance Certificate rating of D, E, F, or G, properties rated A, B, or C do not qualify.
- The average ECO4-funded package saves a typical semi-detached home between £300 and £600 per year on energy bills according to Ofgem data.
- If you do not receive qualifying benefits, you may still qualify through the “ECO4 Flex” route if your local authority confirms you have a low income and poor energy performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you cannot apply directly to the ECO4 scheme. You must contact a government-approved installer registered with Ofgem to assess your home and submit the application for you (GOV.UK, 2026).
Qualifying benefits include Pension Credit, Income Support, Child Tax Credit, and Universal Credit, among others. Check the full list on GOV.UK to confirm your eligibility (GOV.UK, 2026).
Search the TrustMark database for TrustMark-registered installers that offer ECO4 services in your area. These approved companies can arrange a free home survey and handle the application process (TrustMark, 2026).
