If you’re struggling with high energy bills or living in a draughty, hard-to-heat home, you may be eligible for free or subsidised home upgrades through the government’s ECO4 scheme, including a special route called ECO Flex. But what are these schemes, and who qualifies?
In this blog, we’ll break down the essentials so you can find out whether help is available for you or someone you know.
What Is ECO4?
ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation Phase 4) is a UK government-backed energy efficiency scheme that runs from 2022 to 2026. Its main goal is to support lower-income households and those in energy-inefficient homes by funding:
- Insulation (e.g., loft, cavity wall, external wall)
- Low-carbon heating systems (e.g., air source heat pumps)
- Solar PV panels
- Heating controls and other improvements
The upgrades are carried out by approved installers and funded by energy suppliers.
Who Is Eligible for ECO4?
There are two main ways to qualify:
1. Means-Tested Benefits Route
You may be eligible if someone in your home receives one of the following:
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Pension Credit (Guarantee or Savings Credit)
- Housing Benefit (including social housing tenants)
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
You must also:
- Own or privately rent a home (not social housing)
- Live in a property with an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating of D, E, F, or G
Note: For private renters, the landlord may need to contribute, and the home must be EPC E or below.
What Is ECO Flex?
ECO Flex (or LA Flex) is a local authority-approved route that allows people who don’t receive benefits to still qualify for ECO4 support. Councils can set their own flexible criteria to help people who:
- Are on low incomes (usually under £31,000 household income per year)
- Live in cold, inefficient homes
- Have health conditions made worse by the cold
- Are vulnerable in other ways (e.g., young children, elderly, disabilities)
Your local council or an approved partner can assess your situation and issue a declaration that enables ECO4 support through the Flex route.
What Documents Might You Need?
To check your eligibility, you might be asked for:
- Proof of income or benefits
- ID and utility bills
- EPC or property details
- Evidence of any health vulnerabilities
How Do I Apply?
- Contact a local partner – Like us at Greener Homes for Lancashire!
- Get assessed – We’ll talk through your needs, check eligibility, and explain the process.
- Installer visit – If eligible, you’ll be referred to a TrustMark-registered installer to carry out a survey.
- Improvements made – Once approved, you could receive upgrades at no cost or a heavily subsidised rate.
Need Advice?
Even if you’re not sure whether you qualify, we can help you find out. We’ve supported hundreds of households across Lancashire to:
- Understand their energy bills
- Get insulation and solar panels
- Access advice on other support schemes
Get in touch today to see what’s possible. You might be surprised by what’s available!