Table Of Content
ECO4 Extension Confirmed
Scheme Extended to December 2026: Apply Now for Free Boilers, Insulation & Heating Grants
Breaking: ECO4 Government Consultation Proposes 6-9 Month Extension
This is a game-changer for UK households still waiting to upgrade their heating, insulation, and renewable energy systems. Here’s why it matters:
Why extend now? Energy suppliers need more time to meet their annual bill savings targets, the supply chain requires certainty of continued work, and crucially—millions of fuel-poor households remain in inefficient homes.
The Facts: What You Need to Know About ECO4 Extension
| Fact | Current Status | Proposed After Extension |
|---|---|---|
| Original End Date | 31 March 2026 | Extended to December 2026 (proposed) |
| Extension Length | — | 6-9 months additional time |
| Total Funding | £4 billion | Same (no new funding announced) |
| Eligible Measures | Free boilers, insulation, heat pumps, smart controls, solar | Likely same + potential battery storage |
| Minimum Requirements | Solid wall & EFG targets set | Expected to remain unchanged |
| Consumer Protections | Current standards | Stronger protections being introduced |
What This Means in Real Numbers
If you’re eligible, you could receive free:
- Free boiler replacement: Up to £3,500+ fully covered (modern efficient gas boiler)
- Free insulation: Loft insulation (£2,000+), cavity wall insulation (£1,500+), solid wall insulation (£5,000+)
- Free heat pump installation: Air source heat pumps (£5,000+) for low-carbon heating
- Free smart heating controls: WiFi thermostats and advanced heating management (£600-£800)
- Free solar panels: With battery storage eligibility (if heating is electric)
- Total potential value: Up to £10,000 per household
ECO4 Timeline: Past, Present & Future
April 2022: ECO4 Launches
Government’s fourth phase of energy efficiency obligation begins. Focused on fuel-poor and vulnerable households with clearer eligibility criteria.
June 2025: Milestone Reached
875,900 measures installed in 260,400 properties. ECO4 becomes the largest single government energy efficiency scheme ever delivered.
August 29, 2025: Consultation Begins
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero opens formal consultation on extending ECO4 by 6-9 months (closed September 25, 2025).
September 25, 2025: Consultation Closes
Government reviews responses from energy suppliers, installers, consumer groups, and households.
Expected: Autumn 2025
Government announces formal decision on ECO4 extension. Decision published by DESNZ (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero).
December 2026: New End Date (Proposed)
ECO4 scheme concludes. Final installations completed. Transition to successor scheme (possibly “Warm Homes Obligation”) begins 2027.
How Many Homes Have Been Upgraded? The Delivery Breakdown
Measures Installed Under ECO4 (By June 2025)
| Measure Type | Number Installed | % of Total | Average Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insulation (Loft/Cavity/Solid Wall) | ~420,000 | 47% | £150-£300/year |
| Boiler Replacements & Heating | ~310,000 | 35% | £110-£200/year |
| Smart Heating Controls | ~90,000 | 10% | £110-£425/year |
| Solar Panels & Renewables | ~38,000 | 5.75% | £200-£400/year |
| Heat Pumps (Air Source, Ground Source) | ~17,900 | 2.25% | £250-£500/year |
What’s the Impact?
By June 2025, ECO4 had delivered approximately £870+ million in combined annual bill savings to UK households. This proves the scheme works—families are genuinely paying less to heat their homes.
Why The December 2026 Extension Changes Everything
Millions still waiting can apply before the scheme ends. No sudden cutoff in March 2026.
Installers, engineers, and contractors get 9+ months certainty of work. Prevents job losses.
Government using extension period to introduce tighter safeguards (guarantees, dispute resolution).
Suppliers can carry unused funds (up to 20% of obligation) into successor scheme post-2026.
Bridges the gap while £13.2 billion Warm Homes Plan is designed for 2027+.
Sources suggest batteries will be added as eligible measure in successor schemes.
Am I Eligible? Quick Eligibility Check
You’re likely eligible for ECO4 if:
- You receive certain benefits (Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit, Employment & Support Allowance, Housing Benefit, Income Support)
- OR you live in a property with an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G
- OR you’re considered in fuel poverty (struggles to afford heating)
- Your property is in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)
- You own or rent your property (tenants need landlord permission)
- Your home hasn’t received ECO funding in the last 10 years
Expanded Access: LA Flex
Even if you don’t receive benefits, Local Authority Flex (LA Flex) broadens eligibility. If your household income is under £31,000 annually, you may still qualify through your local council’s nomination process.
What Happens After December 2026? Introducing the Warm Homes Plan
The UK government has announced a £13.2 billion Warm Homes Plan starting 2027—a successor to ECO4. Here’s what to expect:
ECO4 (Ending December 2026)
- £4 billion funding
- Targets fuel-poor households
- Focus: Insulation & heating
- ~875,000 measures delivered
- Supplier-led delivery model
Warm Homes Plan (2027+)
- £13.2 billion funding (3x more)
- Broader eligibility (all low-income homes)
- Focus: Heat pumps + batteries + solar
- Expected: 2+ million+ homes
- Potentially NHS/local authority referrals
Key Changes Coming in Warm Homes Plan:
- Batteries included: Solar + battery storage packages likely eligible (vs. current solar-only)
- Broader reach: Not just fuel-poor—all low-income households targeted
- Renamed scheme: May be called “Warm Homes Obligation” (replacing ECO branding)
- NHS/Local authority involvement: Vulnerable patient referrals from NHS and local councils
- Heat pump acceleration: Emphasis on replacing gas boilers with air/ground source heat pumps
Why You Should Apply NOW (Not Wait Until 2026)
1. Local budgets exhaust by region: Even though ECO4 nationally runs to December 2026, many councils’ annual allocations run out by autumn 2025. Once exhausted, you must wait until the new financial year or next scheme.
2. Massive demand expected: News of extension will trigger a rush of applications. Installers’ schedules will fill up 6-12 months in advance.
3. Installation delays: Complex measures (solid wall insulation, heat pump fitting) take 4-8 weeks to schedule and complete. Apply in 2025 = work done in 2025-2026. Wait until 2026 = risk missing the deadline.
The Process: From Application to Warm Home (Timeline)
| Step | Timeline |
|---|---|
| 1. Apply for ECO4 (eligibility check) | 1-2 weeks |
| 2. Energy assessment survey | 2-4 weeks |
| 3. Receive quote & approval | 1-2 weeks |
| 4. Schedule installation | 4-12 weeks (demand dependent) |
| 5. Installation completed | 1-4 weeks (depends on measures) |
| 6. Final inspection & certification | 1-2 weeks |
| Total | 10-27 weeks (2.5-7 months) |
Translation: If you apply in December 2025, your work won’t be finished until mid-2026. If you apply in 2026, you risk missing the December deadline if scheduling conflicts arise.
Official Government Resources & Links (For Verification)
📋 Official Government Sources:
✓ UK Government ECO4 Extension Consultation (August-September 2025) ✓ ECO4 Extension Consultation Document (Accessible Version) ✓ Ofgem – ECO4 Scheme Administrator & Obligated Suppliers List ✓ Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) News Updates🏠 Eligibility & Application:
✓ Ofgem ECO4 Scheme Information & Obligated Suppliers ✓ LA Flex (Local Authority) Expanded Eligibility Guidance ✓ Energy Saving Trust – ECO4 Partner & Consumer Advice ✓ TrustMark – Find Approved ECO4 Installers📊 Policy & Future Schemes:
✓ Warm Homes Plan (£13.2 Billion Post-2026 Scheme) ✓ ECO4 & GBIS Mid-Scheme Changes Consultation (Completed Nov 2024) ✓ EDIE News – Latest Energy Efficiency Policy UpdatesYour Action Plan: Don’t Miss Out on £10,000 Free Upgrades
This Week:
- Check your EPC rating at: Find Energy Certificate (gov.uk)
- List your benefits (if any) to confirm eligibility
- Note your postcode and property type (house/flat/bungalow)
Next Steps:
- Contact your energy supplier or local council about ECO4 application
- Request a free energy assessment survey
- Get a detailed quote for your upgrades
- Schedule installation (aim for 2025 to beat deadline pressure)
Key Statistics Summary
| ECO4 Funded: | £4 billion (2022-2026) |
| Measures Installed (by June 2025): | 875,900 |
| Properties Benefited: | 260,400+ |
| Estimated Annual Savings Delivered: | £870+ million combined |
| Current Scheme End Date: | March 31, 2026 |
| Proposed Extension End Date: | December 2026 (6-9 months longer) |