How Much Money Can I Get from ECO4?
The question everyone wants to ask is, “How much money can I receive through the ECO4 Scheme?” The easy answer is somewhere between a few hundred pounds and more than ten thousand pounds, subject to your home, your salary, and how much work needs doing on your property. ECO4 is not one-off cash; rather, it is a fund that pays installers for making your home more energy-efficient.
In the majority of instances, the work is done at no cost to you. The following is a simple explanation of how the funding works out and what to anticipate.
What Is the ECO4 Scheme?
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4 Scheme) is from April 2022 to March 2026. It’s paid for by big energy companies such as British Gas, E.ON, and Octopus, and established by the government to enable low-income and vulnerable individuals to make their properties warmer and less expensive to heat.
What Can ECO4 Cover?
Under ECO4, you may qualify for:
- Free boiler replacement (including gas or heat pump)
- Air source heat pump grants
- First‑time central‑heating systems
- Cavity, loft, or solid wall insulation
- Heating controls like thermostats
- Solar panels in some cases
What You Could Receive
- Free boiler – Up to ~£4,000 depending on boiler type
- Free air source heat pump – Typically £6,000–£14,000
- Insulation – Loft (£900), cavity wall (£1,800), solid wall (£6,000–£11,000)
- Smart controls or solar – Additional upgrades
Many UK households receive £7,000–£20,000+ worth of energy improvements. The total value depends on the energy efficiency gap between your current home and the desired EPC rating (C or D).
Maximum Possible Help
ECO4 can cover an entire upgrade package:
- Full heat pump install
- All insulation needed
- Smart controls and solar, if appropriate
In such cases, total funding can exceed £20,000, and there is no fixed cap per household.
How Is the Grant Value Worked Out?
ECO4 uses a “scorecard” system:
- Starting EPC grade – Homes with the worst EPC (E, F, or G) earn the most points.
- Proposed measures – Each upgrade (boiler, insulation, heat pump) has a set number of points.
- Carbon savings – The bigger the CO₂ cut, the bigger the funding pot.
- Household benefits – Low‑income or means‑tested benefits unlock higher scores.
The installer submits the score to Ofgem (the energy regulator). If the score is high enough, the measures are fully funded. If not, you might be asked for a small “customer contribution.”
Typical Funding Amounts in 2025
| Upgrade Type | Typical ECO4 Funding | What You Pay |
| Cavity‑wall insulation | £800 – £1,500 | £0 |
| Loft insulation | £500 – £1,200 | £0 |
| Solid‑wall (internal) | £4,000 – £8,000 | £0 |
| First‑time central heating (gas) | £3,500 – £6,000 | £0 |
| A‑rated combi boiler swap | £2,000 – £3,000 | £0 |
| Air source heat pump | £7,000 – £14,000 | £0 |
| Solar PV | £4,000 – £6,000 | £0 |
Example Households
| Household | Starting EPC | Measures Approved | Grant Value | Customer Pays |
| 2‑bed terraced, pension credit (have no insulation) | F | Loft + cavity | £2,300 | £0 |
| 3‑bed semi, Universal Credit (outdated heating system with no gas metre) | E | ASHP + radiators | £11,500 | £0 |
| 4‑bed (gas metre), Universal Credit | F | Full First-time Central Heating | £12,000 | £0 |
| 1‑bed flat, working adult, no benefits | D | Loft upgrade | £600 | £0 |
Other Advantages of the ECO4 Scheme
The ECO4 Scheme benefits homeowners, tenants, and the environment in a number of ways in the long run. To start with, it reduces your energy bills. Through the installation of improved insulation, efficient heaters, and smart heating controls, your home consumes less power to maintain warmth. This translates to lower payments every month, particularly during winter.
Secondly, ECO4 can fund the complete cost of these improvements if your household meets the criteria. This involves high-end improvements such as air source heat pumps and solar panels, which are costly to have installed privately. For qualifying households, the improvements are carried out for free or at a minimal cost.
Another significant aspect is comfort. A well-insulated dwelling with a good heating system remains warmer in winter and cooler in summer. It also eliminates cold patches, damp, and draughts, which makes the entire building more habitable.
From an environmental view, the scheme reduces carbon emissions, helping the UK meet its climate targets. This means you’re not just saving money—you’re helping the planet too.
Who Can Apply?
To access ECO4 funds, you must:
- Be a homeowner or private tenant with permission
- Live in a low-rated home (EPC band D–G)
- Receive qualifying income-based benefits like Universal Credit, Pension Credit, JSA, ESA, IS, Child Tax Credit, or Housing Benefit
- Or qualify via LA Flex, approved by your local authority
Eligible households might qualify for a free boiler or heat pump installation, along with insulation, etc.
How to Get Funding via the ECO4 Scheme
Step 1: Check Eligibility
Enter your postcode, benefits status, and EPC rating into an installer’s online checker.
Step 2: Survey
A qualified surveyor visits to assess your home and heating.
Step 3: Custom Package
The installer draws up a retrofit plan to reach your EPC target (D or C).
Step 4: Full Funding Approval
Funding is approved and passed to the installer—you pay nothing.
Step 5: Installation
All measures (boiler, insulation, controls) are installed in one visit or a series of visits, depending on complexity.
How Much You’ll Save
Lower Energy Bills
- Modern boiler saves ~£520/year
- A home with a heat pump can save £400–£1,000+/year
Long-Term Boost
Compared to spending ~£8,070–£12,120 total without grants, you pay nothing upfront with ECO4. You’ll enjoy immediate energy bill savings, typically repaid in 3–7 years by way of lower bills and efficient energy use.
The Bottom Line
So, how much can you get from ECO4? Depending on your property and requirements, you might qualify for £4,000 towards a boiler, or £10,000–£20,000+ for complete upgrades that include heat pumps and insulation. The ECO4 Scheme pays for all the equipment you need to warm your home up, make it greener, and cheaper to live in—without you paying a penny.
If you believe that you may be eligible, the best place to start is to look online or consult with a registered ECO4 installer. You’ll quickly discover just how much assistance you are eligible for—and how much you can save on your bill.