How Do I Apply For The ECO4 Grant?

According to the charity National Energy Action (NEA), an estimated 6.1 million households were in fuel poverty as of April 2025, who potentially need assistance from programmes like the Energy Company Obligation Phase 4 (ECO4) scheme.

ECO4 is a UK government programme that requires large energy suppliers to install energy-saving fixtures, devices, and complete home improvements to help low-income and fuel-poor households meet the country’s goal of achieving Net Zero by 2050, as well as lowering their monthly energy bills.

If you’re one of the millions who need assistance with upgrading your property’s heating system, you need to understand the requirements you need to fulfil to apply for an ECO4 scheme grant.

What Are The Eligibility Requirements For ECO4?

The ECO4 scheme is a UK government initiative designed to tackle three big issues:

• Cutting down fuel poverty
• Lowering carbon emissions
• Boosting the energy efficiency of homes across the country

To do this, ECO4 focuses on upgrading homes with energy-saving improvements, especially for those who need it most.

How Does ECO4 Help?

It may come as a surprise to some, but successful applicants can receive free energy-efficient upgrades for their existing heating systems.

Through ECO4, eligible households can get funding for essential improvements like:

• Insulation (think lofts, cavity walls, underfloors, etc.)
• Heating system upgrades
• First-time central heating systems
• Renewable tech like air source heat pumps

These upgrades are paid for by large energy suppliers, who are legally required to help reduce emissions and support vulnerable households.

Who’s Eco 4 Funding For?

As we mentioned, the ECO4 scheme’s primary target audience is low-income and fuel-poor households.

These are homes where people struggle to afford their energy bills, and the home is energy inefficient. By upgrading these individuals’ inefficient heating systems, the government aims to reduce their energy bills, saving them money while also allowing them to stay warm.

Common groups that fall into needing help from the ECO4 scheme include:

• Families on tight budgets
• Elderly residents
• People in homes with poor insulation or outdated heating systems

Eligibility: Do You Qualify for Eco4 Grant?

One major criterion for receiving support under ECO4 is that someone in the household must receive at least one qualifying benefit.

The benefits include:

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income Support (IS)
• Pension Credit (Guarantee or Savings Credit)
• Universal Credit (within income thresholds)
• Working or Child Tax Credits
• Child Benefit (means-tested)
• Housing Benefit
• Warm Home Discount recipients

To check your eligibility quickly and avoid delays, complete the ECO4 Eligibility Checklist.

What If You’re in Social Housing?

If you’re renting from a local authority or housing association, you can qualify if your home has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F, or G, or if you pay below the typical market rent.

An EPC rating is valid for 10 years, and you can check it or order a new one on the GOV.UK website.

When applying to the ECO4 scheme for help, the EPC rating of your property will determine the level of help you can apply for:

• F or G-rated homes: Full upgrades allowed (insulation, heating, renewables, etc.)
• D or E-rated homes: Limited to insulation or first-time central heating, unless extra criteria are met

ECO4 Flex: Another Way to Qualify

Not on benefits but still struggling? There’s hope. ECO4 Flex allows local councils and energy suppliers to refer households who:

• Earn less than £31,000 a year, or
• Have long-term health conditions made worse by cold homes (e.g. heart, lung, or mobility issues), or
• Are considered vulnerable or fuel-poor by the local authority

This flexible route helps more households access support when they don’t fit the standard criteria.

In-Fill Properties: What’s That?

Sometimes, homes that don’t qualify on their own can still get help if they’re next to or part of a group of homes that do.

This is common in:

• Flats in the same block
• Terraced houses or semi-detached pairs

For example, if one flat qualifies for wall insulation, it often makes sense to insulate the neighbouring flat at the same time. That’s where in-fill support kicks in.

How Do You Apply for the ECO4 Scheme?

Step 1: Speak to an Approved Installer

The first step is to contact a government-approved ECO4 installer. They’re the only ones who can assess your home and submit an application on your behalf.

You can find one by searching for “ECO4 installer near me” or checking with energy efficiency companies that are listed on the GOV.UK website.

Step 2: Home Assessment

The installer will come to your home and carry out an energy assessment for free. They’ll check your EPC rating and current heating setup and look at what improvements are needed.

This assessment is important because it helps decide:

• Whether you qualify
• What upgrades your home is eligible for

Step 3: Installer Submits Your Application

If you’re eligible, your installer will prepare and submit your application to Ofgem (the energy regulator that manages the scheme).
You don’t need to deal with Ofgem directly as your installer handles that for you.

Step 4: Confirmation and Installation

Once your application is approved:

• You’ll get confirmation of the work being done
• Your installer will schedule a time to carry out the upgrades
• In most cases, there’s no cost to you, or it’s heavily subsidised

When busy with this application process, it helps to have the following documents ready:

• Proof of benefits (if applicable)
• Your EPC certificate (or info about your home’s efficiency)
• Details about your income or health condition (for ECO4 Flex)

What About ECO4 Flex Applications?

If you don’t receive any benefits but still think you qualify under the ECO4 Flex rules, here’s what to do:

• Contact your local council and ask about the ECO4 Flex referral process
• Explain your situation, whether it’s your income level, a health condition, or general vulnerability
• If approved, they’ll refer your case to an approved installer to move the process forward

Quick Checklist Applying For The ECO4 Scheme Grant

For a quick reference, here’s what you need to know when applying for an ECO4 scheme grant:

• You can’t apply directly, but a certified installer can apply for you
• You’ll need to have a quick home assessment
• The scheme is designed to be free or low-cost for eligible households
• Local councils can help via ECO4 Flex if you’re outside the standard criteria

As mentioned, to receive an ECO4 scheme grant, you must apply through a TrustMark-certified installer.

While WarmZilla doesn’t process ECO4 applications directly, they can help connect you to an approved installer

However, we do offer clients extensive finance options and installation within 48 hours anywhere in the UK.