What Was the ECO4 Scheme?
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) was a UK government-backed scheme that required energy suppliers to fund free energy efficiency improvements in eligible homes. Running from April 2022 to March 2026, it was the fourth phase of the ECO programme and focused on the least energy efficient properties, targeting homes rated EPC D, E, F or G.
Under ECO4, eligible households could receive fully funded:
- ✓ Loft insulation and cavity wall insulation
- ✓ Solid wall insulation (internal and external)
- ✓ Air source heat pumps
- ✓ First time central heating systems
- ✓ Smart heating controls
- ✓ Solar photovoltaic panels (in some cases)
Who Qualified for ECO4?
ECO4 eligibility was based on a combination of household circumstances and property condition. The key qualifying routes were:
Benefits-Based Route
Households where someone received a qualifying means-tested benefit such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, or Child Tax Credit.
Area-Based Route
Properties in low-income areas identified by the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), even where no qualifying benefit was received, provided the property was EPC D to G.
In all cases, the property had to have sufficient improvement potential. ECO4 took a whole-home approach, meaning improvements had to meaningfully increase the EPC rating rather than simply installing a single measure.
ECO4 Has Closed: What Comes Next?
ECO4 closed to new applications in March 2026. The Government has announced the Warm Homes Plan as the successor programme. With a budget of £15 billion, the Warm Homes Plan is designed to upgrade 5 million homes to EPC C or above and provides similar, and in many cases improved, funding compared to ECO4.
Key differences between ECO4 and the Warm Homes Plan include:
- ✓ Warm Homes Plan funding goes up to £30,000 per property, higher than typical ECO4 packages
- ✓ Eligibility is extended to households with income below £36,000 per year, not just benefit recipients
- ✓ The Warm Homes Plan covers owner-occupied and private rented properties
- ✓ Local delivery through local authorities provides additional targeting of need
- ✓ Greater emphasis on whole-house retrofits including heat pumps and solar
Available Funding in 2026
If you previously qualified for ECO4, or were considering applying before it closed, the following funding routes are now available:
- ✓ Warm Homes Plan
Up to £30,000 for eligible low-income households. Covers insulation, heat pumps, solar and more.
- ✓ Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
A £7,500 grant for air source heat pumps with no income test. Open to any homeowner replacing fossil fuel heating.
- ✓ Warm Homes Local Grant
Delivered by local authorities for households not covered by the national Warm Homes Plan.
How Cucumber Eco Helps
The transition from ECO4 to the Warm Homes Plan means the funding landscape has changed. Cucumber Eco provides free assessments to help homeowners, landlords, and tenants understand exactly what funding is now available and whether they qualify. We:
- ✓ Check your eligibility across all current schemes including the Warm Homes Plan, Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and Warm Homes Local Grant
- ✓ Identify the most effective measures for your property type and current EPC rating
- ✓ Handle all applications and coordination with accredited installers
- ✓ Ensure all works are completed to PAS 2030 and TrustMark standards required for funded schemes
Whether you are a homeowner, a landlord managing rental properties, or a tenant in a privately rented property, Cucumber Eco will identify the right route and manage the process on your behalf.
Check What Funding Is Available to You
Our free assessment covers the Warm Homes Plan, Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and all other current funding routes. No obligation.
Related topics: Warm Homes Plan, Government Energy Grants, Air Source Heat Pumps, About Cucumber Eco, and EPC Grants for Landlords.