UK Government ECO4 Scheme Explained
- Last updated date: April 19, 2024
The UK government introduced The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme to tackle fuel poverty, rising energy and heating costs, and climate change. This government ECO scheme is administered through Ofgem and has been through 4 different iterations, and the latest version called ECO4 has £4 billion of funding for eligible applicants. The great news is you could be eligible for an ECO4 grant today, just use our free grant checker to see if you qualify.
What is the ECO4 Scheme?
The UK government has committed to Net Zero by 2050, and to support this target a number of energy efficiency grant schemes have been legislated.
The good news is that if you are eligible for an ECO4 grant it is likely any heating upgrades you receive will be fully paid for by the energy companies. The list of main heating measures covered under the ECO4 scheme include:
- Boiler Upgrades
- Air Source Heat Pumps with Solar Panels
- Electric Storage Heater Upgrades with Solar Panels
- Insulation Measures (roof insulation, loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, internal wall insulation and more)
How much funding can I access via the ECO4 Scheme?
The total funding pool available for the ECO4 scheme is £4 billion, and the amount of funding for individuals will vary depending on a number of factors (see further details below). The good news is that Energy Saving Genie has designed a simple quiz to determine your eligibility for an ECO4 grant (it only takes as little as 23 seconds!). In most cases, applicants can access from £7,000 up to £20,000 or more of funding to install energy saving heating and insulation upgrades.
Who is eligible for the ECO4 Scheme?
The eligibility rules for the ECO4 scheme can seem quite confusing, which is why Energy Saving Genie can do the checking for you. Our free grant checker will ask you for information to help best determine your eligibility to grants. The Energy Performance Certificate (known as EPC) rating of your property determines if you are eligible for an ECO4 grant and a minimum improvement needs to be made to your property (sometimes referred to as the minimum uplift). The bigger the improvement on your EPC rating, the more ECO4 grant funding your property will receive.
Benefits Route
Households qualify for an ECO4 grant if they receive the following benefits:
- Employment and Support Allowance (income-based)
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- Jobseekers Allowance (income-based)
- Pension Credit
- Tax Credits
- Universal Credit
If you receive Child Benefit you can qualify but if Child Benefit is the only benefit you receive, you’ll also need to meet some additional rules related to your income.
Local Authority or ECO4 Flex Route
Assuming your Local Authority has issued its statement of intent, households may qualify for an ECO4 grant if they meet the following:
- Eligibility based on low income (less than 31,000 per year)
- Eligibility based on being classed as vulnerable (including debts, mental health conditions, have people aged 65+, or babies or children living at the property)
- Eligibility based on health grounds (including cardiovascular disease, Immunosuppressed, mobility issues and respiratory condition)
Please note, this list doesn’t cover all scenarios, which is why it’s important to check your eligibility using our free grant checker.
What Is the Process for Applying for the ECO4 Scheme?
First, you need to apply for an ECO4 grant. The application takes from 23 seconds, and you can use our free grant checker to see if you are eligible (results are immediate). Your application will be processed within 48 hours (sometimes it is immediate) and allocated to a registered installer covering your area. The registered installed will assess the application and may ask for additional information to check your property qualifies.
If you are deemed eligible for an ECO4 grant the registered installer will book a free no obligation survey with you at a convenient time. If the surveyor gives the green light, the registered installer will arrange a consultation with you to determine the best installation date.
The registered installer will submit the application to the relevant energy company on your behalf, and the energy company pays the ECO4 grant direct to the installer. The installation can take place once the energy supplier approves the application.
Enjoy your new heating upgrades provided by the ECO4 grant scheme!
For a more detailed breakdown of the ECO4 grant application process, head on over to our 7 step comprehensive guide.
How Long Do I Have To Wait For My Free ECO 4 Grant?
It’s difficult to give exact timeframes given the varying complexity of the rules. Some heating measures take longer to obtain planning and approval, but the following table is a rough guide for ECO4 grant timings from application to installation.
Boiler | From 2 weeks |
Insulation (loft, cavity wall, solid wall and underfloor) | From 2 weeks |
Heat Pump (air source and ground source) | From 4 weeks |
Solar PV | From 4 weeks (depending on how long it takes for DNO approvals) |
What Grants are Available under ECO4?
There are a range of heating measures available to keep heat in and make your home more energy efficient. Heating measures being offered as part of the Great British Insulation Scheme include:
- Non-condensing boiler upgraded to an A-Rated boiler
- Inefficient storage heaters upgraded to high heat retention storage heaters
- Inefficient heating upgraded to air source heat pumps
- Wall insulation (cavity wall or internal wall insulation)
- Loft or Roof Insulation
- Ventilation
- Heating Controls
Do I need to pay money towards my ECO4 grant installation?
The ECO4 grant scheme is very generous (4 billion in total) and if you are eligible you won’t have to pay anything. Check your eligibility now for the ECO4 grant scheme using our free grant checker.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ECO4 grant?
An ECO4 Grant is financial assistance provided by the UK Government to support energy-saving measures in households, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency. The ECO4 scheme supports the UK governments commitment to Net Zero by 2050.
What are the eligibility criteria for obtaining an ECO4 grant?
Eligibility criteria for obtaining an ECO4 grant vary, but commonly include factors such as income, property type, and existing energy efficiency measures. Use our free grant checker to see if you meet the eligibility rules.
What heating measures can be installed through the ECO4 scheme?
Depending on your eligibility for an ECO4 grant, you may qualify for one or more heating measures to be installed. For example, an eligible household could have:
- An air source heat pump and cavity wall insulation installed in their home.
- An air source heat pump, cavity wall insulation, and Solar PV installed in their home.
- An inefficient boiler could be upgraded to an A-rated boiler with heating controls and ventilation.
The best way to determine the ECO4 scheme heating measures you could be eligible for is to use our free grant checker.
How do I connect with an ECO4 registered installer?
Energy Saving Genie has a network of 30+ registered installers across the UK who have access to ECO4 grant funding. To ensure we only work with the best ECO4 registered installers, we check that they are Trustmark registered and that they can provide all certifications, guarantees and warranties. By using our free grant checker, you will be automatically link to a registered installer in your area if you are eligible.
How much money can I get with an ECO4 grant?
The amount of money you can receive with an ECO4 grant varies based on factors such as the energy-saving measures chosen, property characteristics, and available funding. There is £4 billion of funding available, and for inefficient homes the grants are generous and will cover 100% of the costs. Individual applicants can receive between £7,000 – £20,000+ worth of ECO4 grant funding.
How do I know if I’m eligible for an ECO4 grant?
Eligibility for an ECO4 grant is determined by factors such as income, property type, and existing energy efficiency measures. Use our free grant checker to check if you qualify and, if you do, you will be connected with registered installers with funding in your area.
Where are ECO4 grants available?
The grants are a UK government initiative and they are available throughout England, Scotland and Wales.
What kind of insulation can I get with an ECO4 Grant?
ECO4 grants often cover insulation measures such as loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, and solid wall insulation, depending on eligibility and property requirements. Our free grant checker and the registered installer will determine the best insulation measures for your needs.
Are there any other grants available for energy efficiency measures other than ECO4?
Besides the ECO4 grant scheme, there are a number of other energy efficiency grant schemes such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS). The Ofgem website has more information on both the BUS and GBIS schemes. The good news is that Energy Saving Genie’s free grant checker includes both the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and the Great British Insulation Scheme when checking your eligibility.
