ECO4 Scheme 2026: Eligibility, What It Covers, and How to Apply in Leeds

What is the ECO4 scheme?

ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation 4) is a government scheme that requires large energy suppliers to fund energy efficiency improvements in homes across England, Scotland, and Wales. It is the main route to getting free or heavily subsidised insulation, heating, and other upgrades.

The scheme has been running since April 2022 and has been extended to December 2026. However, funding is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and availability is tightening. If you think you might be eligible, it is worth applying sooner rather than later.

Who is eligible for ECO4?

There are two main routes to eligibility: the benefits route and the local authority flex route.

Benefits route

You may qualify if you (or someone in your household) receive any of the following:

**Universal Credit** (with income below the relevant threshold)

**Pension Credit** (Guarantee Credit)

**Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance**

**Income-related Employment and Support Allowance**

**Income Support**

**Housing Benefit**

**Child Tax Credit** (with income below £16,480)

**Working Tax Credit** (with income below £16,480)

**Child Benefit** (with income below £31,000, subject to certain conditions)

**Warm Home Discount** (core group)

Your property must also have an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G to qualify.

Local authority flex route

This is an alternative route for people who do not receive qualifying benefits but are still considered to be living in fuel poverty or on a low income. Your local council sets the eligibility criteria.

In Leeds, the flex route is managed by Leeds City Council. You may qualify if:

Your household income is below a set threshold (typically £31,000 or less)

You live in an area identified as having high levels of fuel poverty

You have a health condition made worse by living in a cold home

You are referred by a health professional, social worker, or other approved referrer

Other West Yorkshire councils — Bradford, Wakefield, Kirklees, and Calderdale — each run their own flex schemes with similar but not identical criteria. Contact your local council directly to check.

What measures does ECO4 cover?

ECO4 can fund a wide range of improvements, depending on what your home needs. Common measures include:

Insulation

Loft insulation — topping up or replacing to 300mm

Cavity wall insulation — for properties with empty cavities

Solid wall insulation — internal or external (this is a high-value measure, particularly useful for the older stone and brick terraces common in Leeds and Bradford)

Underfloor insulation — for suspended timber ground floors

Room-in-roof insulation — for rooms built into the loft space

Flat roof insulation — for properties with flat roof extensions

Heating

First-time central heating — for homes without a central heating system

Boiler replacement — in some circumstances, where the existing boiler is broken or very inefficient

Heat pump installation — air source heat pumps as a replacement for old heating systems

Heating controls — programmable thermostats and smart controls

Other measures

Draught-proofing — sealing gaps around doors, windows, and floors

Ventilation — to ensure adequate airflow after insulation is installed

The "fabric first" approach

ECO4 follows a "fabric first" principle. This means insulation and draught-proofing are prioritised before heating upgrades. The idea is simple: there is no point installing an expensive new heating system if the heat is going straight out through the walls and roof.

Your installer will carry out an assessment and propose a package of measures designed to improve your home's EPC rating by at least two bands (for example, from F to D).

How to apply for ECO4 in Leeds

Step 1: Check your eligibility

Use the benefits list above or contact Leeds City Council to check if you qualify through the flex route.

Step 2: Find an approved installer

ECO4 work must be carried out by a TrustMark-registered installer who is also PAS 2030/2035 accredited. You can find approved installers through our directory. The installer will typically handle the application process for you.

Step 3: Get a home assessment

A qualified assessor will visit your property to determine your current EPC rating, identify what measures are appropriate, and confirm that the work will achieve the required improvement.

Step 4: Agree to the work

The installer will present a plan of recommended measures. There should be no cost to you if you fully qualify, though in some cases a small contribution may be required for higher-cost measures like solid wall insulation.

Step 5: Installation

Work is carried out by the accredited installer. Loft insulation might take a day; cavity wall insulation a few hours; solid wall insulation can take 1-2 weeks depending on the property.

Step 6: Post-installation check

After the work is complete, a compliance check is carried out to verify the installation meets the required standards.

Important: funding is running low

ECO4 has a fixed budget allocated across the energy suppliers. As more homes are treated, the remaining funding decreases. Some suppliers have already met or are close to meeting their obligations, which can mean longer waiting times or fewer available installers.

If you believe you are eligible, apply as soon as possible. Do not wait for the Warm Homes: Local Grant (expected spring 2026) — you can always access additional support later if more measures are needed.

Tips for a smooth application

Have your benefits paperwork ready — you will need to provide evidence of qualifying benefits

Know your EPC rating — check the government's EPC register before you apply

Be wary of scams — legitimate ECO4 installers will never ask for upfront payments for free scheme work

Get your council involved — if you do not qualify through benefits, ask Leeds City Council about the flex route

Do not sign anything you are not comfortable with — take time to read any paperwork and ask questions

Where to get help

Leeds City Council — housing and energy efficiency team

Citizens Advice Leeds — can help check benefit entitlements

West Yorkshire Combined Authority — regional energy advice

Browse our directory for ECO4-accredited installers in the Leeds and West Yorkshire area