URGENT: Time is Running Out – Apply for Free ECO4 Boiler Grants & Home Insulation Before the Scheme Ends April 2026
- Anne-Marie Keane
- Nov 28
- 9 min read
Chancellor Announces Historic End to ECO Scheme After 13 Years
In a landmark decision announced in the Autumn Budget on 26th November 2025, Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme will be permanently scrapped after its current phase ends on 1st April 2026. This marks the end of one of Britain's most successful home energy efficiency programmes that has been running since 2013.
The Eco Advisory Bureau can now confirm that if you qualify for free initiatives under the ECO4 scheme, you must act immediately. Applications submitted after March 2026 will not be processed, and eligible homeowners will permanently lose access to grants worth thousands of pounds.
Understanding the ECO Scheme: Money You've Already Paid For
For over a decade, UK energy bill payers have been contributing to the ECO scheme through green levies added to their energy bills – approximately 8% of your total bill, or around £60 per year. The scheme cost households £1.7 billion annually. These contributions have funded a massive national programme of free home improvements for eligible households.
In essence, if you qualify for ECO4 funding, you're accessing initiatives that you and other UK bill payers have already paid for through your energy bills over many years. This isn't a handout – it's support that's been funded by consumers nationwide.
Why the Chancellor is Scrapping the ECO Scheme
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced she is scrapping the ECO scheme because it failed to reduce fuel poverty for most families. The decision aims to deliver immediate energy bill savings to all households rather than continuing the current system.
From April 2026, the government plans to:
Cut household energy bills by an average of £150 per year by removing the ECO levy from energy bills
Redirect £1.5 billion into a new "Warm Homes Plan" that will be funded through general taxation rather than energy bill levies
Provide more targeted, area-by-area support through government-run programmes rather than energy company obligations.
While these changes may benefit bill payers overall in the long term, they mean the current ECO4 scheme; which offers completely free installations to eligible households – will cease to exist in its current form. The new Warm Homes Plan details remain unclear, and there is no guarantee it will offer the same level of comprehensive, free support that ECO4 currently provides.
ECO Scheme Achievements: A Remarkable 13-Year Success Story
Since 2013, the ECO scheme has transformed millions of UK homes, delivering unprecedented energy and cost savings. According to official government statistics, here's what has been achieved:
Total Programme Impact (2013-2025)
4.2 million energy efficiency measures installed in approximately 2.5 million homes across Great Britain
Estimated lifetime carbon savings: 60 million tonnes of CO₂
Estimated lifetime energy savings: 224,400 GWh
Estimated lifetime bill savings: Over £20 billion
Cost Savings Per Measure Type:
Based on government data, here's what each free initiative could save you annually:
Loft Insulation: £225 per year – Over 25 years: £5,625 in total savings
Cavity Wall Insulation: £300 per year – Over 25 years: £7,500 in total savings
Solid Wall Insulation: £450 per year – Over 25 years: £11,250 in total savings
Boiler Replacement (A-rated condensing): £200-400 per year – Over 15 years: £3,000-6,000 in total savings
Air Source Heat Pump: Up to 50% reduction in heating costs compared to oil heating
Underfloor Insulation: £70 per year – Over 25 years: £1,750 in total savings
What These Initiatives Would Cost You Without ECO4 Funding
If you had to pay for these energy efficiency measures privately, here's what they would typically cost:
Loft Insulation (120-150mm): £800 - £1,500
Cavity Wall Insulation: £1,000 - £2,000
External Solid Wall Insulation: £8,000 - £22,000
Internal Solid Wall Insulation: £5,000 - £15,000
New A-rated Condensing Boiler Installation: £2,500 - £4,000
Air Source Heat Pump: £10,000 - £14,000 (even with the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant)
Underfloor Insulation: £800 - £1,200
First Time Central Heating System: £3,000 - £7,000
Under ECO4, eligible households receive all these measures completely free of charge. The Eco Advisory Bureau can help you access these installations at zero cost before the scheme closes forever.
Real Homeowners, Real Results: 5-Star ECO4 Reviews
Don't just take our word for it – thousands of UK homeowners have already transformed their homes through ECO4:
Guaranteed Quality: TrustMark Certified Installations You Can Trust
One concern many homeowners have is whether free installations mean compromised quality. With ECO4, the opposite is true. The scheme maintains some of the strictest quality standards in the industry.
Every ECO4 Installation is Protected by:
✓ TrustMark Registration – Government-endorsed quality standard for all installers
✓ PAS 2030/2035 Certification – The gold standard for energy efficiency installations and coordination
✓ Gas Safe Registration – Legal requirement for all gas heating work
✓ MCS Certification – Required for renewable energy installations like heat pumps
✓ HIES Membership – Additional consumer protection for home improvement work
✓ Comprehensive Guarantees – All installations come with manufacturer guarantees (typically 5-10 years for boilers, 25 years for insulation)
✓ Insurance Backed Warranties – Protection even if the installer ceases trading
The Eco Advisory Bureau works exclusively with personally vetted installation partners who not only meet these mandatory standards but exceed them through demonstrated track records of exceptional workmanship and customer satisfaction.
Your installation will be completed by highly qualified professionals who specialize in ECO4 work and understand exactly what's required to meet the scheme's rigorous standards.
Free Boiler Grants, Free Insulation, Free Central Heating: What ECO4 Can Provide
If you qualify, ECO4 can deliver a comprehensive home energy transformation at absolutely no cost to you:
Free Boiler Replacement & Heating Systems
New boiler installations: Modern A-rated condensing boilers replacing old, inefficient models
First time central heating: Complete system installation for homes without existing heating
Boiler repairs and upgrades: For systems that can be improved
Electric heating upgrades: Modern electric storage heaters replacing outdated systems
Air source heat pumps: Low-carbon renewable heating technology
Free Insulation Measures
Loft insulation: Top-up or full installation to 270mm depth
Cavity wall insulation: For properties with unfilled cavity walls
External solid wall insulation: For solid wall properties (typically pre-1920s homes)
Internal solid wall insulation: Alternative for solid wall properties
Underfloor insulation: Stopping heat loss through floors
Room-in-roof insulation: For converted loft spaces
Flat roof insulation: Specialized insulation for flat roof properties
Additional Free Upgrades
Heating controls: Smart thermostats, programmers, and thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs)
Draught proofing: Professional sealing of doors, windows, and other openings
Ventilation improvements: Extractor fans and air vents to prevent condensation
Solar PV panels: For eligible properties (subject to specific criteria)
Who Qualifies for Free ECO4 Initiatives?
ECO4 eligibility is broader than many people realize. You may qualify if:
Benefits-Based Eligibility
You receive any of the following qualifying benefits:
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit or Savings Credit)
Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit (with qualifying income)
Universal Credit
Housing Benefit
Child Benefit (with qualifying income threshold)
Property-Based Eligibility
Your property has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F, or G
You own your home or privately rent (with landlord permission)
Your property is located in England, Scotland, or Wales
The Eco Advisory Bureau specialises in helping homeowners navigate these complex eligibility criteria and finding funding pathways that others miss.
The Eco Advisory Bureau: Your Trusted Partner for ECO4 Applications
The Eco Advisory Bureau is a specialist advisory service dedicated to helping UK homeowners access the full range of government energy efficiency schemes. Unlike installer companies that focus on selling specific products, we provide impartial, expert guidance to ensure you receive every initiative you're entitled to, installed in the optimal sequence to maximize benefits.
Why Choose The Eco Advisory Bureau?
Expert Grant Navigation: We assess your eligibility across ECO4, Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS), Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), and all regional programmes simultaneously, ensuring you don't miss out on thousands in available funding.
Strategic Whole-House Planning: Many homeowners unknowingly forfeit grant funding by installing measures in the wrong order. We provide strategic planning that ensures you claim every eligible grant before opportunities close. For example, installing solar panels before claiming ECO4 insulation grants can permanently disqualify you from fabric improvements worth up to £6,000.
Personally Vetted Installers: We only recommend TrustMark registered, PAS 2030/2035 certified installation partners who have been personally audited for quality and customer satisfaction. All our partners are Gas Safe registered, MCS certified (for renewables), and covered by comprehensive insurance.
End-to-End Support: From initial eligibility assessment through installation completion and beyond, our team guides you through every step. We handle the paperwork, coordinate with installers, and ensure your installation meets all quality standards.
No Cost, No Obligation: Our advisory service is completely free. We're here to help you access the initiatives you're entitled to, with no pressure and no hidden costs.
Our Proven Track Record
The Eco Advisory Bureau has helped hundreds of homeowners across the UK successfully navigate the ECO4 application process. Our strategic approach typically secures £3,000 - £12,000 in additional grant funding through optimal sequencing that most homeowners would otherwise miss.
We understand that these schemes can seem complex and overwhelming. That's exactly why we're here – to make the process simple, transparent, and stress-free while ensuring you receive maximum benefits before the April 2026 deadline.
The Critical Urgency: Why You Must Apply NOW
The ECO4 scheme ends permanently on 1st April 2026. Applications submitted after this date will not be processed. With only months remaining and high demand from homeowners who've heard about the scheme ending, here's what you need to understand:
Application and Installation Timeline
A typical ECO4 application and installation takes just 5 weeks from start to finish:
Week 1: Eligibility assessment and application submission
Week 2: Technical survey of your property
Week 3: Approval process and installer allocation
Week 4-5: Installation scheduling and completion
With the deadline approaching, installer availability is becoming increasingly limited. Energy companies must complete all ECO4 work by 31st March 2026, which means installation slots are filling rapidly.
What Happens if You Miss the Deadline?
If you don't apply before the ECO4 scheme closes, you will:
❌ Lose access to free boiler replacement (value: £2,500-£4,000)
❌ Miss out on free insulation (value: £800-£22,000 depending on property type)
❌ Forfeit free heating system upgrades (value: £3,000-£7,000)
❌ Continue paying higher energy bills (average £290-£450 more per year)
❌ Face uncertainty about what the replacement Warm Homes Plan will offer
The government's proposed Warm Homes Plan will not begin until after ECO4 ends, and details about its scope, eligibility criteria, and level of support remain unclear. There is absolutely no guarantee that the replacement programme will offer the same comprehensive, fully-funded support that ECO4 currently provides.
This is genuinely your last opportunity to access these life-changing home improvements at zero cost.
Take Action Today: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Don't wait another day to secure your eligibility and begin your ECO4 journey. Here's exactly what to do right now:
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility (5 Minutes)
Contact The Eco Advisory Bureau today:
Call: 0330 341 3420
Visit: www.ecoadvice.org.uk
Complete the online eligibility form on our website
We'll conduct a comprehensive assessment of your eligibility across all available schemes and confirm what free initiatives you qualify for.
Step 2: Property Survey (1-2 Hours)
If eligible, we'll arrange for one of our TrustMark registered partners to conduct a free, no-obligation technical survey of your property. They'll assess:
Current insulation levels
Heating system condition
EPC rating and improvement potential
Optimal measures for your specific property
Step 3: Approve Your Plan (30 Minutes)
Based on the survey, we'll present a detailed plan of recommended measures, estimated savings, and installation timeline. You'll have complete control over what gets installed – there's never any pressure.
Step 4: Installation Begins (1-5 Days)
Once approved, our certified installers will schedule your installation at a time convenient for you. Most installations are completed within 1-5 days depending on the measures involved.
Step 5: Enjoy Your Transformed Home
From day one, you'll experience warmer rooms, lower energy bills, and a more comfortable home – all at absolutely no cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is ECO4 really completely free? A: Yes, for eligible households, all measures are 100% free with no repayment required. This isn't a loan – it's grant funding you've already contributed to through your energy bills over the years.
Q: What if I own my home but have a mortgage? A: That's absolutely fine. Homeowners with mortgages are fully eligible for ECO4 support.
Q: I'm a tenant – can I apply? A: Yes, private tenants can access ECO4 measures with their landlord's permission. The Eco Advisory Bureau can help facilitate this conversation.
Q: Will I have to pay anything toward the cost? A: For most eligible households, measures are completely free. In some circumstances, a small customer contribution may be required for certain high-cost measures, but this is always discussed and agreed upfront.
Q: How long do the installations take? A: Most installations are completed within 1-5 days. Loft and cavity wall insulation typically take 1 day, boiler replacements 1-2 days, and solid wall insulation 3-5 days.
Q: What guarantees come with the installations? A: All ECO4 installations come with comprehensive guarantees: typically 5-10 years for boilers, 25 years for insulation measures, and insurance-backed warranties for additional protection.
Final Urgent Call to Action
The clock is ticking. With the ECO scheme ending permanently on 1st April 2026 and installation slots filling rapidly, delaying your application by even a few weeks could mean missing out entirely on free improvements worth thousands of pounds.
Over 2.5 million UK households have already transformed their homes through the ECO scheme since 2013. Thousands more are applying right now before the final deadline. Don't be the homeowner who realizes too late that you were eligible but missed the opportunity.
The initiatives you could receive are already funded by contributions you and other UK bill payers have made through energy bills over many years. If you qualify, this is your money working for you – but only if you claim it before April 2026.
Apply Today – Don't Delay
Contact The Eco Advisory Bureau now:
📞 Call: 0330 341 3420
🌐 Visit: www.ecoadvice.org.uk
📧 Email: info@ecoadvice.org.uk
Our expert team is standing by to conduct your free eligibility assessment, answer all your questions, and begin your application immediately. Evening and weekend appointments are available.
The ECO4 scheme has delivered life-changing benefits to millions of UK households. Make sure you're not left behind when this historic programme ends forever.
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