When does eco4 grant scheme end the direct answer
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) grant scheme is scheduled to close on 31 March 2026. This is the final date by which all qualifying energy-efficiency measures must be installed and signed off, with no new applications accepted after that point (GOV.UK, 2026).
ECO4 ends on 31 March 2026. All work must be completed and signed off by this date. Grants range from £10,000 to £20,000 for insulation and heating improvements if you qualify on benefits or low income.
- ECO4 closes on 31 March 2026 with no new applications after this date.
- Grants cover up to £20,000 for insulation, heat pumps, and central heating.
- Eligibility requires means-tested benefits or income below £31,000 annually.
- Your property must have an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G to qualify.
- Apply now as work must be completed and signed off before the deadline.
- When does eco4 grant scheme end the direct answer
- ECO4 grants are for specific home improvements, not cash payments
- You must meet eligibility criteria to qualify for an ECO4 grant
- Quick numbers ECO4 grant costs, savings, and deadlines
- The direct answer to "when does eco4 grant scheme end" is 31 March 2026
- You must use an MCS-certified installer for ECO4-funded heat pumps or boilers
- Applying for an ECO4 grant requires contacting your energy supplier first
After this deadline, the government may announce a successor scheme, tentatively called ECO5, but no details have been confirmed as of 2026. If you are considering applying, you must ensure all work is completed before the March 2026 cut-off, as funding cannot be claimed for installations carried out after this date.
ECO4 grants are for specific home improvements, not cash payments
ECO4 does not provide direct cash grants to homeowners. Instead, your energy supplier pays an approved installer directly for the work carried out on your property. The scheme funds a range of energy-efficiency measures, including loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation, and first-time central heating systems such as heat pumps (Ofgem, 2026).
For qualifying low-income households, the grant can cover up to 100% of the installation cost. However, the exact amount depends on your property’s current energy performance and the specific measures installed. A typical grant value ranges from £10,000 to £20,000 for comprehensive work such as solid wall insulation or a heat pump system (Energy Saving Trust, 2026).
You must meet eligibility criteria to qualify for an ECO4 grant
Eligibility for ECO4 is primarily based on receiving certain means-tested benefits. These include Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income Support, or Working Tax Credit, among others. Alternatively, if your household income is below £31,000 per year in 2026, you may qualify under the low-income route (GOV.UK, 2026).
Your property must also have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F, or G, meaning it is poorly insulated and inefficient. If you are a private tenant, you will need landlord permission before work can proceed. Social housing properties are also eligible under specific rules, though the scheme primarily targets the private sector (Ofgem, 2026).
Quick numbers ECO4 grant costs, savings, and deadlines
| Measure | Average cost covered | Typical annual saving | EPC improvement | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loft insulation | £300–£600 | £200–£300 | 1–2 bands | 31 March 2026 |
| Cavity wall insulation | £500–£1,500 | £200–£400 | 1–2 bands | 31 March 2026 |
| Solid wall insulation | £8,000–£15,000 | £300–£500 | 2–3 bands | 31 March 2026 |
| First-time central heating (heat pump) | £10,000–£20,000 | £400–£700 | 2–3 bands | 31 March 2026 |
These figures are based on typical installations under the ECO4 scheme. Around 450,000 homes are expected to be upgraded before the scheme ends (DESNZ, 2026). Actual savings and costs vary depending on your property size, current insulation levels, and heating system.
The direct answer to “when does eco4 grant scheme end” is 31 March 2026
The ECO4 scheme officially ends on 31 March 2026, with no extensions announced as of 2026. All installations must be completed and signed off by this date. If you apply now, you must ensure the work is finished before the deadline, as funding cannot be claimed for measures installed after this date (GOV.UK, 2026).
The government has not yet confirmed a replacement scheme (ECO5), but it is expected to be announced later in 2026. The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026. It funded insulation measures only and never covered windows or glazing. The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026. It funded insulation measures only and never covered windows or glazing.
You must use an MCS-certified installer for ECO4-funded heat pumps or boilers
For heat pumps and certain central heating systems funded by ECO4, the installer must be certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). This ensures the equipment meets quality standards and that your installation qualifies for the grant (MCS, 2026). For other measures like insulation, installers should be registered with TrustMark, a government-endorsed quality scheme (TrustMark, 2026).
To verify an installer, you can search the MCS register at mcscertified.com or the TrustMark database at trustmark.org.uk for their certification status. Using an uncertified installer may result in your grant application being rejected, so always check before proceeding.
Applying for an ECO4 grant requires contacting your energy supplier first
Start by contacting your energy supplier, such as British Gas, E.ON, or Octopus Energy, to check if they are obligated to fund your installation under ECO4. Each supplier has its own allocation of funding, and they will arrange a free home energy assessment to confirm your eligibility and recommend suitable measures (Ofgem, 2026).
The process typically takes 4 to 12 weeks from application to installation, so applying as soon as possible is critical to meet the March 2026 deadline. If you are unsure which supplier to contact, the Energy Saving Trust provides a step-by-step guide on how to apply (Energy Saving Trust, 2026). How to apply for an ECO4 grant step by step
Frequently Asked Questions
The ECO4 grant scheme ends on 31 March 2026. All qualifying measures must be installed and signed off by this date, as confirmed by GOV.UK.
ECO4 funds energy-efficiency improvements like loft insulation and heat pumps. Your energy supplier pays an approved installer directly, with grants up to £20,000 per household according to the Energy Saving Trust.
You qualify if you receive means-tested benefits such as Pension Credit or Universal Credit, or if your household income is below £31,000 per year. Your home must also have an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G as per GOV.UK.
A typical ECO4 grant ranges from £10,000 to £20,000 for comprehensive work like solid wall insulation or a heat pump system, based on data from the Energy Saving Trust.
The government may announce a successor scheme tentatively called ECO5, but no details have been confirmed as of 2026. Check GOV.UK for updates.
