What is ECO4?
ECO stands for Energy Company Obligation. It is an energy efficiency scheme for Great Britain that legally obliges energy suppliers to deliver energy efficiency measures to homes in the UK. The primary obligation, the Home Heating Cost Reduction duty (HHCRO), requires energy suppliers to save a total of £224.3 million in yearly bills for UK homes.
ECO4 is Energy Company Obligation 4, the fourth round of government-led funding to be released. The scheme aims to lift low-energy-efficient houses out of fuel poverty while lowering carbon emissions to meet the UK’s obligation to its target of Net Zero in 2050.
Under this scheme, eligible homeowners can access free funding for energy-saving measures in their homes. These measures will help lower the property’s energy consumption and, in turn, decrease the household’s energy bills.
The ECO4 scheme predominantly focuses on home occupants with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) property rating of E, F, and G. ECO4 aims to bring houses in these bands up to at least an EPC rating of C through specific retrofit measures, with free funding available to eligible occupants. The scheme runs until 31 March 2026.
ECO4 Eligibility: Who can apply for funding?
The UK Government has earmarked £6 billion in ECO4 funding for homes and businesses. If your house has an EPC rating of E, F, or G and you receive benefits, you could qualify for free measures under the ECO4 scheme.
Ofgem sets the basic ECO4 eligibility criteria: If you are a homeowner or renting a private home and you or someone living with you is receiving one of the following benefits, you can apply for ECO4 funding to see what free measures can be carried out in your home to increase its energy efficiency.
The qualifying benefits include:
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support (IS)
- Pension Credit Guarantee (PCGC)
- Working Tax Credit (WTC)
- Child Benefit (CB) (subject to income threshold eligibility)
- Child Tax Credits (CTC)
- Universal Credit (UC)
- Housing Benefit (HB)
- Pension Credit Savings Credit (PCSC)
Here, we cover some of the more frequently asked questions about ECO4 eligibility.
Does child benefit qualify for ECO4 funding?
As listed above, if you receive Child Benefit, there are income thresholds that apply. We’ve listed these in the table below.
Does PIP qualify for ECO4?
The Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was eligible in the ECO3 scheme, which closed in 2022, but is not included in the ECO4 scheme.
What is the DWP check?
Upon application, we will carry out a Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) check to receive a confirmation of your benefit status, allowing your application to move on to the next stage.
I don’t know the EPC rating for my property
Don’t worry—unless you’ve recently sold or rented a house, you may not even have an Energy Performance Certificate. SmartStone Energy can help when sending an assessor to your property.
I am a landlord. Can I apply for ECO4 funding on my properties?
Yes, if your properties have an EPC rating of E, F, or G and you have tenants who claim qualifying benefits. Your tenants must apply, and you can complete a Landlord Authorisation form.
What ECO4 measures might I expect to receive for my property?
Numerous retrofit measures are available under the ECO4 scheme, which takes into account a whole-house retrofit policy. Multiple measures, including insulation, renewables, and the upgrade of inefficient heating systems, could be applied for under the ECO4 scheme.
The ECO4 could cover the following measures.
- Solid Wall Insulation
- Cavity Wall Insulation
- Loft Insulation
- Room in Roof Insulation
- First Time Central Heating
- Inefficient Gas Boiler Replacement (For Non-Condensing Boilers)
- Air-Source Heat Pump
- Solar PV
Remember, the main aim of the ECO4 funding is to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Specific retrofit measures like insulation can stop heat loss and reduce energy costs. As every property’s requirements vary, a retrofit assessor will be sent to your property for a free energy audit and assessment to see which measures you can benefit from the most.
This list is not comprehensive, and other ECO4 measures may be available for your property. All of the work carried out under ECO4 is completed by fully qualified and certified installers who will be PAS2030 and Trustmark certified. This means that the scheme’s installers will understand the importance of quality work and follow an approved process.
ECO4 scheme installers
Only a fully qualified PAS2030 and TrustMark-certified installer can carry out all ECO4 installation measures. This will ensure that the approved process is followed from the first retrofit assessment and energy efficiency measures installed to specifications set by the overarching certified body.
ECO4 eligibility: How can I apply?
At SmartStone, we have assisted thousands of UK homeowners and tenants in reducing their energy bills by installing energy-efficient measures. With over 25 years of industry-specific experience, we’ve helped UK households receive £1000s of funding as we understand all there is to know about funding and grants.
If you live in a poorly insulated house or could use some energy-efficiency measures to lower your energy bills, speak to one of our team members. They can guide you through the eligibility process to see if you qualify for the recent ECO4 measures.
We can guide you through the process and handle all the complicated forms and paperwork so you’re not alone. Our independent energy assessors can also visit you and recommend the most effective energy-saving retrofit measures necessary to improve your property’s energy performance and EPC rating.
We will contact the funders to determine your entitlement to funding and keep you informed every step of the way.
How SmartStone can help you get ECO4 funding.
Find out what ECO4 funding is available to you in four easy steps.
APPLY—Click here to fill out a simple three-step form.
CONTACT—We will review your ECO4 application, and a friendly member of our team will guide you through the next steps.
SURVEY—If you meet the necessary ECO4 criteria, we will send an independent surveyor to your home to conduct a free, no-obligation home assessment and advise you on the best insulation and energy-efficient measures.
INSTALLATION—After completing the survey, your ECO4 application will be submitted. Once approved, SmartStone will allocate one of their experienced NVQ-qualified installers to complete the work as soon as possible.
SmartStone is a member of the NIA, Trustmark and is a Green Deal-approved installer. We are also a PAS2030-19 and PAS 2035 retrofit accredited company certified by the British Assessment Bureau and ISO9001 compliant. So, if you want lower energy bills and do your part towards a greener future, don’t delay as this scheme ends next year.
Let us take the hassle out of applying for ECO4 funding by contacting us today.
