What is ECO4?
ECO4 is a government grant that runs until the 31st of March 2026. The scheme aims to help people avoid fuel poverty by providing free upgrades to homes to make them more energy efficient.
Fuel poverty is when a household has to spend a significant amount of its annual income on energy costs. This means they have less money to spend on other necessities such as food. In 2020, 13.6% of households (3.6 million) were in fuel poverty. This number is expected to rise during the current cost of living crisis.
By reducing the energy costs of lower-income households, ECO4 allows them to spend more on other necessities, helping to lift them out of fuel poverty. These upgrades include improved insulation and heating.
Who qualifies for the ECO4 grant?
The grant is primarily intended for those on low incomes who are more likely to be in fuel poverty and therefore need the support the most.
Although many of the recipients will be on benefits, those with low incomes who aren’t on benefits will still be able to receive support. There are a minimum of 3.5 million homes that are eligible for ECO4 funding, with the actual number expected to be higher, especially due to the effects of the cost of living crisis.
Additionally, those who live in rented accommodation need a home with an EPC rating of E or lower to qualify. For other homes, you need an EPC rating of D or lower to be eligible.
EPC stands for Energy Performance Certificate and is measured on a scale from A to G. It measures the relative energy efficiency of a home, with A being the highest and G being the lowest.
How to apply for the ECO4 grant
The first step is to check to see if you qualify by completing the form.
If you qualify for the scheme, a specialist from EnergyHelp will contact you to arrange a free consultation with a specialist, who will assess your home to work out what upgrades you are entitled to as part of the scheme. You will then choose a time that suits you for the installations to be completed.