ECO4 Eligibility: Who Qualifies for a Free Boiler or Insulation in 2026

What is ECO4? ECO4 is the fourth phase of the Energy Company Obligation, a UK government scheme that requires large energy suppliers to fund energy-efficiency improvements in lower-income and vulnerable households. In plain English: if you may qualify, an energy supplier pays for upgrades like a free boiler replacement, insulation or even a heat pump — and you don't pay it back. The scheme runs until 31 December 2026. But here's what many people don't realise: individual suppliers close their doors early once their funding runs out. British Gas has already stopped accepting new ECO4 applications, and EDF closed its books back in early 2026. The scheme is still live — but the window is narrowing. Important: Fairway Energy is an independent eligibility-check service. We are not the government, an official grant administrator, or an installer. What can you get through ECO4? ECO4 isn't a single fixed grant — it's a whole-house approach. Depending on your property and circumstances, funded measures may include: Free boiler replacement — upgrading an old, inefficient non-condensing boiler to a modern condensing one Loft insulation — one of the cheapest, most effective upgrades available Cavity wall insulation — for homes with unfilled cavity walls Solid wall insulation — internal or external, for older solid-wall properties First-time central heating — for homes that have never had a full central heating system Air source heat pumps — in suitable properties, as part of the push towards low-carbon heating Heating controls, thermostats and TRVs — smaller measures that cut waste An assessor surveys your home and recommends the package of measures that will lift its energy efficiency the most. You don't pick from a menu — the assessment decides what's funded. Who qualifies for ECO4? The two main routes There are two ways into ECO4. You only need to fit one of them. Route 1: The benefits route (Help to Heat) If someone in your household receives one of the following income-related benefits, you may qualify: Universal Credit Housing Benefit Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Income Support Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit) Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit Your home generally needs an EPC rating of D, E, F or G — the scheme targets the least efficient homes. (If you rent, your landlord will need to agree to the work, and there are extra rules for private tenants.) Route 2: ECO4 Flex (local authority referrals) Don't receive benefits? You may still qualify through ECO4 Flex, where your local council can refer you. Councils use four routes: Route 1 — low income: household income below a set threshold (your council sets the exact figure) Route 2 — health conditions: someone in the home has a health condition made worse by living in a cold home, such as respiratory or cardiovascular conditions Route 3 — vulnerable to cold: identified vulnerability to the effects of living in a cold home Route 4 — bespoke: other routes your council has defined in its published statement of intent Not every council takes part in ECO4 Flex, and each one sets its own criteria — so it's worth checking your local authority's website or asking us. ECO4 eligibility checklist Run through this quick checklist. If you can tick most of these, it's well worth checking properly: ☐ Your home is in England, Scotland or Wales ☐ Someone in the household receives a qualifying benefit, or you may fit a Flex route ☐ Your home's EPC is D or below (or you don't have one — an assessment can be arranged) ☐ You own your home, or your landlord agrees to the work ☐ Your current boiler is old, inefficient or broken — or your home lacks insulation Every case is different, and funding is subject to eligibility and property assessment. A free check takes a minute and costs nothing. How to apply for ECO4: step by step Step 1: Check your eligibility Start with a quick eligibility check. You'll need to know which benefits (if any) your household receives and roughly how efficient your home is. Don't worry if you don't have an EPC — that can be sorted during the process. Step 2: Get referred to an installer or supplier ECO4 work is delivered through obligated energy suppliers and their accredited installer networks. Because some big suppliers have already closed their application books, going through an experienced route matters more than ever in 2026. Step 3: Home assessment A qualified assessor visits your property, checks your existing heating and insulation, and usually lodges or updates an EPC. This assessment determines which measures your home qualifies for — and it's normally free. Step 4: Installation An accredited installer carries out the agreed work — boiler replacement, insulation, heating controls, or a combination. Installations are carried out to required standards, and you should receive documentation for the work done. Step 5: Aftercare Keep your paperwork. If anything isn't right, raise it with the installer promptly — reputable firms will put problems right. Why you shouldn't wait until December ECO4 officially runs to 31 December 2026, but that date is misleading. Here's why acting now matters: Suppliers close early. British Gas and EDF have already shut their doors to new applications. Others will follow as their funding is committed. Installer diaries fill up. The installers still taking ECO4 work get booked out finishing their current pipelines. Eligibility doesn't guarantee funding. Funding is limited and allocated as suppliers hit their targets — when it's gone, it's gone. If you think you may qualify, checking now costs nothing. Waiting until autumn is a gamble. ECO4 FAQs Is it really free? For qualifying households, yes — the measures are fully funded by the obligated supplier. You don't repay anything. That said, what exactly is funded depends on your assessment, and eligibility is subject to checks. I'm a tenant — can I apply? Possibly, but your landlord must agree to the work, and there are additional rules for the private rented sector. It's always worth checking. What if I don't get benefits? Look into ECO4 Flex — your local council may be able to refer you based on income, health conditions or vulnerability to cold. My boiler still works. Can I still get a replacement? If it's an old, inefficient non-condensing boiler and you meet the eligibility criteria, quite possibly — the scheme specifically targets inefficient heating. The assessment will confirm. What's the difference between ECO4 and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme? ECO4 is aimed at lower-income and vulnerable households and can fully fund measures including boilers and insulation. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers a fixed grant (£7,500 for most heat pumps) towards the cost, and you pay the balance. Different schemes, different audiences — some households could be relevant for either. What happens during the home assessment? Knowing what to expect takes the stress out of it. A typical ECO4 assessment looks like this: Paperwork first: the assessor confirms your identity, benefit status or Flex referral, and that you (or your landlord) consent to the work Property survey: they inspect your boiler, heating controls, radiators, loft insulation, wall type and windows — usually taking 45–90 minutes EPC: if you don't have a valid EPC, one is usually lodged as part of the assessment Recommendations: the assessor's report lists which measures your home qualifies for — this is what gets funded, not a wishlist The assessment itself is normally free. You are under no obligation to proceed until you've seen the recommendations and are happy with the proposed installer. ECO4 for private tenants: what renters and landlords need to know If you rent privately, you can still be eligible — but there are extra rules: Your landlord must give written consent before any work goes ahead The property must meet minimum EPC standards for rented homes — and note that rented properties with higher EPCs may have different measure options than owner-occupied homes Landlords can't pass the cost of ECO4-funded work on to tenants through rent increases for the funded measures Some landlords welcome ECO4 because it improves their property's EPC rating at no cost to them — it's worth framing it that way when you ask If your landlord refuses, you can't force the issue — but many say yes once they understand it's free. A short, polite written request explaining the scheme often does the job. Check if you qualify ECO4 could mean a free boiler, free insulation, or a full package of energy-efficiency upgrades — but supplier doors are closing and funding is limited. A free check takes 60 seconds. Fairway Energy is an independent eligibility-check service — not the government, not an installer, no obligation. 👉 Start your free ECO4 eligibility check 💬 Prefer WhatsApp? Message us on +44 7367 065216