The Government’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO) requires large energy companies to help improve the energy efficiency of domestic homes through reducing the cost of improvement works
The primary goal of ECO4 is to support low-income households, and people who are vulnerable for health reasons, who are unable to upgrade their homes and heating systems.
By doing this, the Government will be able to help vulnerable people power their homes, whilst also helping the Government to reach its ‘Net Zero by 2050’ goal.
Energy Company Obligation (ECO) 4
ECO 4 is the fourth stage of the Government’s ECO scheme. As part of its Sustainable Warmth strategy, the Government has extended the ECO grant for an extra four years, meaning it will run until March 2026.
The primary goal of the grant is to support low-income households who are unable to upgrade their homes and heating systems.
This scheme is available to households with an EPC rating between D and G.
By doing this, the Government will be able to help vulnerable people power their homes, whilst also assisting the country in reaching its ‘Net Zero by 2050’ goal.
What it covers
The scheme facilitates full retrofits, including the installation of whole-house insulation, air/ground source heating and solar photovoltaics (subject to survey).
It is due run until March 2026, at which point it will probably be replaced by a new scheme.
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
The Great British Insulation Scheme (formerly known as ECO +) is a new Government energy efficiency scheme designed to deliver improvements to the least energy efficient homes in Great Britain.
GBIS complements the ECO 4 scheme, yet unlike ECO 4’s ‘whole-house approach’, this scheme will mostly deliver singular insulation measures such as loft and cavity wall insulation.
Like ECO4, it is aimed at low-income households and people who are vulnerable to the cold.
This scheme is available to households with an EPC rating between D and G that sit within Council Tax bands A-D.
This scheme will also run until March 2026.
Eligibility
The three most common routes to eligibility for funded improvements are:
- A combined household income of less than £31,000 per year (before tax etc.)
- Someone in the house has one of a number of listed health conditions that make them vulnerable to the cold
- Receiving certain, listed benefits
Are you interested and are you eligible?
For more information see the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) page on the OFGEM website.
If you do not meet the minimum criteria for ECO4 or the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) you may be eligible via the local authority ECO4 & GBIS Flexible Eligibility route. This is detailed in our published Statement of Intent.
Please note that the Great British Insulation Scheme is ending in March 2026 and we will cease processing ECO4 Flexible Eligibility applications on the 31 March 2026.
What you should do now
See which eligibility route applies and if you are eligible for ECO4 either contact your energy provider or a Registered Trust Mark installer in the first instance. It is important that you get an installer on board as soon as possible as funding is diminishing for installers.
Prior to the end of March 2026 our application form can be downloaded below. A copy of the application form can also be posted to you should it be required. Please call Housing Standards on 01553 616200.
Once you have submitted the completed form and all of the necessary supporting evidence to us we will assess your eligibility via the ECO4 & GBIS Flexible Eligibility route. Please see OFGEM's guidance document for help on what evidence is needed.
Please note that if you are applying via the low income route you will need to submit three months consecutive bank statements for each adult in the household as well as the relevant supporting documents such as benefit statements, pension or annuity statements or tax returns etc. See the administration guidance referred above.
If you are applying via route three based upon a medical need you will need to have a GP complete this form and submit this with your application. This is available below.
After reviewing your application, if you are deemed eligible via ECO4 & GBIS Flexible Eligibility then the we will issue a declaration of eligibility to Ofgem who administer the scheme and your chosen Trust Mark registered installer.
ECO4 Flexible Eligibility applications will no longer be accepted and processed by us after 31 March 2026.
Please be aware that the we do not have any involvement in the provision of funding or the undertaking of the works. This is managed by your chosen installer via Ofgem and the Borough Council simply declares eligibility under the ECO4 & GBIS Flexible Eligibility route in accordance with our statement of intent.