As things stand, the ECO4 scheme is set to run until 31 December 2026. This official ECO4 scheme deadline is confirmed by government guidance and public consultations on energy efficiency policy. 

However, a formal government consultation has proposed extending the end date by 6–9 months to help energy suppliers complete obligations and create smoother transitions to future programmes — though no extension has yet been confirmed.

Properties usually need to fulfill several requirements to be eligible for ECO4 free boiler installation and old boiler replacement assistance: 

Qualifying Benefits 

• Income Support Allowance 
• Income-related Employment & Support Allowance 
• Working Tax Credit 
• Income-based Job seeker’s Allowance 
• Child tax credit 
• Universal Credit 
• Pension Guarantee Credit
• Pension savings Credit
• Child benefit
• Housing benefit

Boiler Age and Condition: Your current boiler needs to meet a number of requirements. The back boiler should typically be installed before 2005. The ECO4 seeks to provide a free upgrade to the current low-energy new combi boiler.

Type of Boiler: Priority is given to homes without a central heating system or with an outdated or inefficient back boiler, usually older than ten to fifteen years.

Type of Property: Another factor is the kind of house you reside in. You have to be either the property’s owner or a private tenant (with the landlord’s consent).

Gas connection: Your house should have a gas hookup, or you should be open to having one installed.

House Type: When hollow wall insulation is impractical, internal wall insulation is the primary choice for houses with solid walls. Older homes, particularly those constructed before the 1920s, are more likely to be eligible.

Low Energy Efficiency: If your property has insufficient insulation or an EPC rating of D or lower, you are more likely to qualify for ECO4 support for applicants.

Current Scheme Status

ECO4 remains active and open for applications — as long as funding is available. Obligated energy suppliers such as Heat1 are legally required to deliver energy-efficiency measures to eligible homes until their obligations are met or the scheme formally ends. 

But this doesn’t mean unlimited time:

• Applications are subject to fund availability and supplier quotas. Once a supplier hits its allocation target, it may stop taking new ECO4 applications even before the deadline. 
• Installer scheduling can become highly competitive closer to the deadline, making early applications more likely to be completed successfully.

What Happens to ECO4 Pending Applications

A big concern for many homeowners is the fate of ECO4 pending applications — those started but not approved before funding ends.

If funding is withdrawn or a supplier stops taking cases:

• Unapproved pending applications may be cancelled or paused. There’s no guarantee they will be carried forward past the funding cutoff. 
• Installed projects already approved and scheduled before the cutoff are typically honoured, provided they comply with scheme rules and timelines.

This means timing matters — if your application is still in review when funds run out, you could lose your place.

Understanding the ECO4 application process in 2026 can help applicants anticipate how long things might take and why the approaching deadline matters.

Check Your Eligibility Via

First, make sure you qualify for funding for an ECO4 boiler. The Heat1 official website offers easy, free online form to check if your house qualifies for the UK energy grants.

Gather Documents

Prepare supporting documents, including details on your current heating system, proof of income or benefits, and your current EPC rating. These make it easier for you to apply and help confirm whether families are eligible for government-funded boiler upgrades.

Do a survey at home

If preliminary checks show you are eligible, a Heat1-accredited surveyor will come inspect your home and heating system. This free site survey helps determine the exact work needed prior to a free boiler update.

If any step isn’t completed before funding runs out, your application could become pending indefinitely or be cancelled.

With the ECO4 scheme deadline approaching:

Heat1 installers and experts recommend applying as early as possible rather than waiting until 2026.

Some sources suggest applying before late 2025 to avoid delays in surveys, approvals, and installations.

If you delay:

• Your installation may not be completed in time before the deadline.
• Your approved works could be delayed or rejected if the supplier stops allocating funds.

This makes a strong case for early action rather than last-minute rushes.

There have been reports from applicants and installers of funding pauses or work being put on hold — especially where suppliers have reached internal targets or oversubscribed particular measures. While not an official “ECO4 funding closure,” these pauses effectively pause new approvals until the next funding window or extension is confirmed. Even if ECO4 is technically open, approvals can slow or stop regionally due to resource limits. Please expedite your application for ECO4 support by utilizing Heat1’s assistance.

To maximize your chances of ECO4 application status success:

• Start Early: The sooner you begin, the quicker you move through the process. 
• Prepare the Documentation: Proof of income, benefits, EPC, and energy bills should be ready. 
• Choose Qualified Installers: Only approved installers can submit valid ECO4 applications. Heat1 is the approved installer of ECO4.
• Stay In Contact: Regularly follow up with your installer about application and scheduling status.

At present:

There’s no official replacement scheme confirmed beyond ECO4, though consultations have discussed future obligations and the Warm Homes Plan. Without a confirmed successor, households losing ECO4 support may have fewer options for grant-funded energy upgrades after December 2026. Stay updated through government announcements and energy supplier communications.

The ECO4 scheme funding ends in December 2026 makes timing critical. While the ECO4 application process in 2026 still operates under official rules, many households are already seeing delays and pauses in funding as supplier quotas tighten. Heat1 helps you to resolve energy bill issues in your home before the ECO4 scheme funding ends. 

If you’re eligible and considering applying, don’t wait: submit early, prepare thoroughly, and be aware that unfinished or pending applications may be at risk if funding is exhausted or if the scheme closes regionally before the formal deadline. Visit heat1.co.uk to verify your eligibility before UK energy grants expire. Act now to maximise your chances of securing a valuable ECO4 grant before the funding closure.