The ECO4 Scheme is the latest phase of the long-running Energy Company Obligation (ECO4), a UK government-backed initiative that requires large energy suppliers to fund energy-efficiency upgrades for eligible homes. The ECO4 period officially started on 27 July 2022, and runs through 31 December 2026.
Many sources — including installers and scheme guides — suggest that to ensure installation is completed before the December 2026 deadline, it’s wise to submit your application by October 2025. That means the next few weeks are critical — this is truly an ECO4 last chance to apply and benefit. The ECO4 scheme closing sooner in practice than its official date, many households may miss out if they delay.

Currently, the ECO4 last chance to apply officially runs until 31 December 2026, which marks the ECO4 deadline 2026 for installations and applications.
However, it’s critical to understand:
Installations must be completed before the official end date — not just applied for.
Many installers recommend that you apply before late 2025 to ensure your survey, approval, and installation can be completed on time.
Because of these deadlines, this really is the ECO4 last chance to apply — and if you wait too long, you could lose access to free home improvements.

With the ECO4 funding ending soon, waiting to apply could mean:

1. Installer Backlogs
As the deadline nears, energy assessors and heat1 installers book up quickly, meaning longer wait times for surveys and work.

2. Funding Constraints
Although the scheme has a substantial budget, funding is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and can be exhausted in certain regions early.

3. Completion Time
Processing, inspection, and installation can take several weeks — even months — so applying well before the scheme closes is essential to secure your upgrades.

4. No Guaranteed Successor
Although plans for future programmes exist, no guaranteed replacement with the same benefits is yet confirmed. Waiting could mean missing out if the next scheme changes eligibility or funding levels.

1. Free Boiler Grants (Ending Soon)
The free boiler grant ending warning is real—old boilers can be replaced with modern A-rated systems, saving hundreds of pounds per year.

2. Heating Grants (Final Call)
The ECO4 heating grants deadline is approaching fast. This includes heat pumps, modern electric heating, and first-time central heating installations.

3. Insulation Upgrades
Insulation is one of the most requested measures under ECO4 because it dramatically reduces heat loss.

4. Smart Heating Controls
Modern thermostats and controls help reduce energy waste and improve efficiency.
If you want access to these improvements at little to no cost, this is your final call for ECO4 grants.

Many people still don’t know who qualifies for ECO4 scheme, leading to missed opportunities. Eligibility is based on a combination of income, benefits, vulnerability, and property efficiency.

ECO4 eligibility 2025–2026: Boiler type: Priority is given to homes without a central heating system or those with an outdated or inefficient, non-condensing boiler, usually older than 15+ years.

Property Type: Your circumstances are also influenced by the kind of property you live in. You have to be a private tenant (with the landlord’s consent) or the property’s owner.

Low-Income Households: You may qualify for this grant if your household income falls below a certain amount. This includes those who receive benefits.

Gas connection: There should be a gas hookup in your home, or you should be willing to have one installed.

House Type: Internal wall insulation is the main option for homes with solid walls where cavity wall insulation is not practical. Older properties are more likely to qualify, especially those built prior to the 1920s.

Qualifying benefits: Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) based on income, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) based on income, Income Support, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, and Pension Credit (Guarantee or Savings).

Low Rating for Energy Efficiency: If your home has an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G, you can qualify for free ECO4 heating grants before deadline.
Thanks to the ECO4 funds, many of these improvements, if approved, are given to the homeowner at no cost. ECO4 funding is ending soon, so there is an urgent need for ECO4 applications.

One of the most popular benefits of the ECO4 scheme is the free boiler grant, which can replace old, inefficient boilers with new A-rated boilers or other heating systems at little or no cost to eligible households.

This kind of support can save you hundreds to thousands of pounds on installation costs while dramatically reducing your energy bills. With funding running down and the free boiler grant ending soon, your last chance to apply for ECO4 scheme support could be months away — act now!

Applying for ECO4 funding isn’t complex, but it requires steps that take time — and that’s why acting early matters:

Verify Your Grant Eligibility
First, find out if you qualify for the ECO4 grant. If you utilize our online eligibility tool, we’ll take care of the rest!

Free Home Assessment by the Heat1
Our qualified surveyors will do a free home assessment to ascertain your property’s energy efficiency in ten to fifteen minutes. The procedure is simple and quick.

Gather Your Documents
Obtaining important documentation, such as benefit statements and proof of income, should come first. If these are ready, the application process will proceed much more swiftly.

Completing the Installation
Once we’ve determined what needs to be improved, we’ll schedule the installation at a time that works best for you. Most installations are finished in three days.

Apply now for the government ECO4 scheme before it closes — the last date for ECO4 application is tied to the scheme’s official end on 31 December 2026, so act early to ensure your application is processed and upgrades are completed before the ECO4 deadline.

The significance of ECO4 goes beyond individual households:

• It helps tackle fuel poverty, ensuring that low-income families don’t overpay for heating.
• It contributes to carbon emission reduction and energy efficiency, supporting national and global environmental goals.
• It reduces demand on the energy grid by promoting efficient heating and better-insulated homes.
• For homeowners and renters alike, it offers a rare opportunity to upgrade homes — sometimes dramatically — with little or no upfront cost.

For many eligible households, ECO4 can be life-changing: lower energy bills, a warmer and healthier home, and long-term energy savings.

The closing of the ECO4 scheme means now is the time to apply before it ends. With the ECO4 deadline of December 2026 approaching, and heat1 installers already planning beyond the official end date, your best chance to receive funding and have installations completed is by applying today. Whether you’re hoping to upgrade your heating system, improve insulation, or secure a free boiler grant before it’s gone, there’s no time to waste.

Apply for ECO4 now — check eligibility criteria, start your application, and take advantage of this government-supported opportunity before the window closes for good! You can check your eligibility at Heat1.co.uk in just 60 sec.