The UK Government’s Energy Company Obligation ECO scheme does have ECO4 as the fourth phase that it is. Home energy efficiency improvement is designed to support vulnerable and low-income households. This scheme allows families to benefit via warmer homes, lower energy bills, also eco-friendly carbon emission cuts.

Leading energy suppliers back ECO4, because it covers a large range of improvements. These improvements include free boiler grants along with insulation upgrades plus full home retrofits. For the tenants and homeowners who are eligible, these measures for saving energy are often provided for free.

The ECO4 grant offers a wide range of home improvements designed to make properties more energy efficient and lower household bills. The upgrades you receive will depend on a professional survey of your home, but the aim is always to raise your EPC rating—often from D, E, F or G up to a much higher standard.

✅ Heating Measures

• Free boiler upgrades (non-condensing to condensing boiler)
• First-time central heating systems
• Electric storage heaters
• Air source heat pumps

✅ Insulation Upgrades

• Loft insulation
• Cavity wall insulation
• Cavity wall extraction (where required)
• Internal wall insulation (solid wall insulation)
• Room-in-roof insulation

✅ Smart Energy Controls

• Smart heating controls
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) issued after improvements

So Far:

• Government-backed schemes have already been installing more than 3.1 million energy-saving measures.
• Across the whole UK, households are now more comfortable on account of improvements. Efficiency gains were seen by over 2.3 million too.
• Yet around 13% of households in England continue to live in fuel poverty and face high energy costs.

To qualify for ECO4 funding, your property must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or lower. You may be eligible if you meet ECO4 scheme eligibility requirements:

• Homeowners or private tenants receiving one of the qualifying benefits.
• Households with a total income of £31,000 or less, which is ECO4 eligibility income criteria under the Local Authority Flex Scheme
• Households with a member who has a health condition made worse by living in a cold home.

Homeowners across Great Britain could be eligible for ECO4 funding. The ECO4 scheme is open to both homeowners and tenants. You may qualify if any of the following apply:

• Your home is heated by electricity
• You have an old, non-condensing boiler
• You rely on a back boiler or oil heating system
• You receive income-related benefits
• Your household income is below £31,000 per year
• You are considered vulnerable due to living in a cold home

You might be eligible if you meet these rules. Free energy-saving upgrades may then be yours through ECO4. Upgrades may include insulation, heating system replacements, or renewable energy solutions, and they are all aimed toward making your home more energy-efficient and reducing monthly energy costs.

According to a 2024 Age UK report, 59% of people over 60 with an income of £20,000 or less worry about keeping their homes warm. If this sounds familiar, you could qualify for a free boiler replacement under the ECO4 scheme. ECO4 Grant Eligibility 2025 for pensioners is given below:

• Be aged 60 or above
• Live in a property with an EPC rating of D or lower
• Meet specific health requirements
• Fall under certain income thresholds or receive qualifying benefits

The ECO4 eligibility criteria UK helps older homeowners upgrade to modern, energy-efficient boilers, making it easier to heat their homes while cutting annual heating costs by up to £490.

If you’re wondering whether you qualify for ECO4 support, the scheme is aimed at helping households with low incomes, vulnerable residents, and homes with poor energy efficiency. If you receive certain benefits, you may be eligible for free energy-saving upgrades such as boiler replacements, insulation grants, or heating improvements.

ECO4 Qualifying Benefits List:

If you receive any of the following, you may qualify for ECO4:

• Universal Credit (UC)
• Income Support (IS)
• Housing Benefits
• Working Tax Credit (WTC)
• Pension Credit Saving Credit
• Child Tax Credits (CTC)
• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• Warm Home Discount Scheme Rebate
• Income based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
• Income related Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)

Homeowners and tenants may qualify for free boiler grants if they meet the following criteria:

• Receive qualifying benefits
• Are homeowners or a tenant with landlord’s permission
• Have a non-condensing boiler installed before 2005
• Have a gas meter fitted before April 2022
• Live in an eligible property type
• Reside in a home with an EPC rating of D or lower

If you meet these requirements, applying for a free boiler grant is a cost-effective way to upgrade your heating system, improve your EPC rating, and reduce your energy bills.

Under the ECO4 scheme, homes may qualify for a Central Heating Grant if they meet certain criteria. To be eligible:

• Your property must have an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G
• Your home must currently have no heating system, or one of the following:
  • Electric room heaters (such as direct acting heaters, fan heaters, or inefficient electric storage heaters)
  • Gas room heaters, including fixed mains gas heaters
  • Gas fire with back boiler
  • Solid fuel fire with back boiler
  • Mains gas warm air system
  • Electric underfloor or ceiling heating (not connected to an electric boiler)
  • Bottled LPG room heating
  • Solid fuel room heaters
  • Wood or biomass heating
  • Oil room heaters
• You must receive at least one qualifying benefit
• Your home must be properly insulated

Meeting these requirements could make you eligible for a first-time central heating system, helping to improve energy efficiency, lower bills, and keep your home warmer throughout the year.

To qualify for insulation grants through the ECO4 Scheme, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a recipient of qualifying benefits
• Live in a property with an EPC rating of D or lower
• Be a homeowner or a tenant with the landlord’s permission

Insulation grants often have more flexible requirements compared to other heating grants, making it easier for vulnerable households to benefit. With several types of insulation available, these grants can help improve your home’s energy efficiency, keep it warmer in winter, and lower your energy bills.

Applying for ECO4 eligibility application process is very simple:

1. Check your eligibility online – Use our ECO4 eligibility checker online to see if you qualify.
2. Home Survey – We will inspect your home to determine the improvements that are necessary for you as the homeowner to become more efficient and qualify for funding.
3. Get confirmation – After we tell you what we think is needed, you let us know if you want us to go ahead.
4. Book your installation – Once you are happy with the quote, we will schedule an install date that works for you. All work will be carried out by Trustmark approved installers, to guarantee quality and compliance. When you qualify for ECO4, you can make your home warmer and more efficient at little or no cost to yourself and reduce your energy bills.

With ECO4, you can make your home warmer, more efficient, and cut down on energy costs—at little or no cost to you.

At heat1, our mission is to help households in fuel poverty access carbon-saving and energy-efficiency measures through the ECO4 scheme. With a strong track record of excellent customer service, positive reviews, and trusted testimonials, we’re committed to making the process simple and stress-free.

Our key services include:

• Free boiler replacements
• Loft insulation 
• Internal wall insulation
• Central heating grants
• Air Source Heat Pump Grants

If you are unsure if you qualify, we’ll walk you through it. Call us now or fill out our online application to get started. We are ready to provide you with the advice, products and services your home needs to make it warmer, greener and more energy efficient.