ECO4 vs Other UK Energy Schemes: Complete 2026 Comparison
By Peter Davies, ECO4 Analyst
Reviewed
Short answer: ECO4 offers up to £10,000+ in free boiler and whole-house upgrades for benefits recipients (GOV.UK) and is the best choice for a free boiler if you qualify — but it closes with no ECO5 confirmed. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives £7,500 toward a heat pump with no income restrictions (open until 2028), and the Warm Homes: Local Grant offers up to £30,000 for low-income households. Compare all five UK government energy schemes below.
Government schemes compared
5
Max ECO4 funding
£10,000+
ECO4 deadline
31 Dec 2026
Max Warm Homes grant
£30,000
UK Energy Schemes in 2026 — Quick Summary
Five government-backed schemes are available in 2026, collectively worth over £6 billion in funding. Each targets different households and offers different levels of support.
Quick Summary — UK Energy Schemes in 2026
- ECO4 — The most popular scheme for free boilers. Extended to December 2026 (GOV.UK source). Up to £10,000+ in whole-house upgrades. Total scheme funding: £4 billion. No ECO5 is planned.
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) — £7,500 grant for heat pumps. No income restrictions. Extended to March 2028. Now includes air-to-air heat pumps (£2,500) and heat batteries (£2,500). Total scheme funding: £1.5 billion.
- Warm Homes: Local Grant — NEW from April 2025. Up to £30,000 for low-income households via 270 local authorities in England (GOV.UK source). Phase 1 funding: £500 million. Runs until 2028.
- GBIS — Closed to new applications as of 31 January 2026 (Ofgem source).
- Warm Home Discount — £150 annual electricity bill credit for pensioners on Guarantee Credit. Automatic — no application needed.
Not sure which scheme you qualify for? Check your eligibility in 60 seconds.
ECO4 Closes December 2026 — No ECO5 Replacement Confirmed
According to the government response published on GOV.UK, ECO4 will end on 31 December 2026 with no successor scheme. The Warm Homes Plan (backed by £13.2 billion — Energy Saving Trust) will replace it from 2027, but eligibility criteria are still being finalised. If you qualify for a free boiler, apply now before funding runs out.
Bottom line —ECO4 is the top choice for a free boiler if you're on qualifying benefits, but it closes 31 December 2026 with no ECO5 confirmed — the other four schemes below cover different circumstances, so it's worth checking all of them before you apply.
All UK Government Energy Schemes at a Glance
Five government-backed schemes are available in 2026, collectively worth over £6 billion in funding. Each targets different households and offers different levels of support. Here's what you need to know.
Energy Company Obligation 4
£10,000+
July 2022 – December 2026
Focus:
Whole-house energy upgrades: boilers, heating, and insulation
What's Covered:
- Free boiler replacement (A-rated gas or electric)
- First-time central heating installation
- Loft, cavity wall, and solid wall insulation
- Air source heat pumps
- +2 more measures
Best For:
Households on benefits needing a free boiler and comprehensive energy upgrades — apply before Dec 2026
BUS — Extended to 2028
£7,500
May 2022 – March 2028
Focus:
Low-carbon heating: heat pumps and biomass boilers
What's Covered:
- Air source heat pumps — £7,500 grant
- Ground source heat pumps — £7,500 grant
- Biomass boilers — £5,000 (rural, off-gas properties only)
- Air-to-air heat pumps — £2,500 (added 2025)
- +1 more measures
Best For:
Homeowners wanting future-proof, low-carbon heating with no income restrictions
Warm Homes Plan — NEW for 2025
£30,000
April 2025 – March 2028
Focus:
Energy efficiency and low-carbon heating for low-income homes
What's Covered:
- Up to £15,000 for energy efficiency measures
- Up to £15,000 for non-carbon heating
- Insulation (all types)
- Heat pumps and solar panels
- +2 more measures
Best For:
Low-income households in the poorest-performing homes wanting maximum funding
GBIS — Now Closed
£4,000
March 2023 – March 2026 (closed to new applicants Jan 2026)
Focus:
Single insulation measures for energy-inefficient homes
What's Covered:
- Loft insulation
- Cavity wall insulation
- Solid wall insulation
- Floor insulation
- +1 more measures
Best For:
No longer accepting applications. If you need insulation, apply for ECO4 or Warm Homes: Local Grant instead
WHD — Annual Bill Credit
£150
Annual (October – March each year)
Focus:
One-off electricity bill discount for vulnerable households
What's Covered:
- £150 credit applied to electricity bill
- Automatic for Pension Credit Guarantee recipients
Best For:
Pensioners on Guarantee Credit wanting automatic bill help — combine with ECO4 for home upgrades
Bottom line —ECO4 offers the most funding for a free boiler on qualifying benefits; BUS covers heat pumps with no income test; Warm Homes: Local Grant offers the highest ceiling (£30,000) for low-income households — compare them side-by-side in the table below.
Side-by-Side Scheme Comparison Table
Compare key features across all UK energy schemes at a glance. Data accurate as of March 2026.
Swipe sideways to compare all 5 schemes
| Criteria | Best ValueECO4 | BUS | Warm Homes | GBISClosed | WHD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Status (March 2026) | Open until Dec 2026 | Open until 2028 | Open until 2028 | Closed Jan 2026 | Annual scheme |
| Maximum Funding | £10,000+ | £7,500 | £30,000 | £4,000 | £150 |
| Your Contribution | £0 — fully funded | £500–£6,500 | £0 — fully funded | £0 — fully funded | N/A |
| Income Requirements | Benefits or <£31k | None — any homeowner | Low income (IMD 1–2) | Council Tax A–D | Pension Credit / low income |
| EPC Requirement | Rating D–G | Valid EPC needed | Rating D–G | Rating D–G | None |
| Free Boiler Replacement | Full coverage | Heat pumps only | Via heat pump | Not available | Not available |
| Insulation Coverage | All types | Not included | All types | All types | Not included |
| Heat Pump Grants | Included | £7,500 grant | Up to £15,000 | Not available | Not available |
| Homeowners | |||||
| Private Tenants | With landlord consent | Homeowners only | With landlord consent | With landlord consent |
Sources: GOV.UK — ECO4 Extension · Ofgem — ECO · GOV.UK — Warm Homes · Energy Saving Trust · Citizens Advice. Last verified March 2026.
Bottom line —ECO4 is the only scheme combining free boiler replacement AND full insulation coverage at £0 cost — but check your income, benefits, and EPC rating against every column before deciding.
Smart Strategy: How to Combine Schemes for Maximum Funding
You can't double-dip on the same measure, but you can strategically use different schemes together.
ECO4 Insulation + BUS Heat Pump = Best of Both Worlds
Get free insulation through ECO4, then apply for a £7,500 BUS heat pump grant. Insulate first, heat pump second — this is the optimal order because a well-insulated home needs a smaller (cheaper) heat pump.
ECO4 Free Boiler + Warm Home Discount = Immediate Relief
If you're on Pension Credit, you automatically receive the £150 WHD bill credit AND qualify for a free ECO4 boiler replacement. A new A-rated boiler saves up to £580/year on energy bills.
Warm Homes: Local Grant = All-in-One for Eligible Households
If you're in a low-income area (IMD deciles 1–2), the Warm Homes: Local Grant can provide up to £30,000 for both insulation and renewable heating through your local authority. Check availability in your area.
Not sure which combination works for you? Our expert team will assess all available options.
Check All Scheme EligibilityBottom line —Combining schemes — ECO4 insulation then a BUS heat pump, or ECO4 plus the automatic Warm Home Discount — can push your total funding well beyond any single scheme's maximum.
Which Scheme Is Right for You?
Match your situation to the best available scheme.
Choose ECO4 If You:
- Receive Universal Credit, Pension Credit, ESA, JSA, or PIP
- Need a new boiler or full heating system
- Want comprehensive whole-house upgrades
- Have an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G
- Want £0 cost — fully funded
Choose BUS If You:
- Are a homeowner (any income level)
- Want future-proof low-carbon heating
- Can contribute £500–£6,500 after the grant
- Want protection from the 2035 gas boiler ban
- Prefer 20–25 year equipment lifespan
Choose Warm Homes If You:
- Live in a low-income area (IMD 1–2)
- Own or privately rent your home
- Have an EPC rating of D–G
- Want the highest possible funding (up to £30k)
- Need both insulation and heating upgrades
Bottom line —On benefits and need a boiler? Go ECO4. Any homeowner wanting a heat pump? Go BUS. In a low-income area wanting the biggest single grant? Check the Warm Homes: Local Grant.
What Happens After ECO4 Ends in December 2026?
The Energy Company Obligation has run since 2013. Here's what replaces it and why you should act now.
No ECO5 — The Supplier Obligation Model Is Ending
The government has confirmed there will be no ECO5 scheme (GOV.UK, Jan 2026). Since 2013, energy suppliers (British Gas, EDF, OVO, etc.) have been obligated to fund home energy improvements under the Energy Company Obligation. This supplier-funded model ends with ECO4 on 31 December 2026. After that date, energy suppliers will no longer be required to fund free boilers or insulation.
The Warm Homes Plan Takes Over from 2027
The government's Warm Homes Plan, backed by £13.2 billion from the Spring Budget 2026 (Energy Saving Trust), will replace ECO with direct government grants delivered through 270 local authorities across England. The initial phase — the Warm Homes: Local Grant — launched in April 2025 with £500 million in funding (GOV.UK). However, full eligibility criteria and procurement arrangements for the post-ECO4 period are still being finalised.
Why You Should Apply for ECO4 Now
- ECO4 is a proven scheme with established processes — no uncertainty
- Funding is allocated — but applications close with the deadline
- The replacement scheme (Warm Homes Plan) may have different eligibility criteria
- Waiting lists grow as the deadline approaches — early applicants get priority
Bottom line —No ECO5 is planned. From 2027 the Warm Homes Plan takes over with £13.2bn in government funding, but eligibility isn't finalised — apply for ECO4 now while its rules and processes are known.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing UK energy efficiency schemes.
Which UK energy scheme gives the most funding in 2026?
The Warm Homes: Local Grant offers up to £30,000. ECO4 provides up to £10,000+ for whole-house upgrades including free boilers. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers £7,500 for heat pumps. The best scheme depends on your income, property type, and what improvements you need.
Can I combine ECO4 with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
Not for heating — but you CAN get free ECO4 insulation then apply for a £7,500 BUS heat pump grant. Insulate first, heat pump second. This maximises total funding to £17,500+ across both schemes.
When does the ECO4 scheme end?
ECO4 has been extended to 31 December 2026 (source: GOV.UK). The original March 2026 deadline was pushed back by 9 months. No ECO5 is planned — the Warm Homes Plan replaces it from 2027.
Is the Great British Insulation Scheme still open?
No. GBIS closed to new applications on 31 January 2026 (source: Ofgem). Apply for ECO4 or the Warm Homes: Local Grant instead — both remain open and cover insulation.
What replaces ECO4 after it ends?
The Warm Homes Plan replaces ECO4 from 2027, backed by £13.2 billion in government funding. Unlike ECO4 (supplier-funded), it uses direct government grants via local authorities. Eligibility criteria are still being finalised.
Do I need to be on benefits to get a free boiler?
Usually yes — ECO4 requires qualifying benefits (UC, Pension Credit, ESA, JSA, PIP, or Child Tax Credit). However, the LA Flex pathway qualifies households earning under £31,000 without benefits. BUS has no income restrictions but requires a contribution.
Which scheme is best for private tenants?
ECO4 and Warm Homes: Local Grant both accept private tenants with landlord permission. BUS is homeowners only. Tenants on qualifying benefits should apply for ECO4 first — it offers the most coverage at zero cost.
How long does it take to get a free boiler through ECO4?
Typically 2–4 weeks from eligibility check to installation. The process: 60-second online check, home survey, then installation by Gas Safe engineers — usually completed in one day.
Related Guides
ECO4 vs Other Schemes: Summary
Free Boiler Upgrade UK is an independent ECO4 eligibility and application-assistance service, helping UK households compare all five current government energy schemes and connecting those who qualify with Gas Safe registered installers nationwide.
ECO4 remains the best route to a free boiler — up to £10,000+ in whole-house upgrades at £0 cost for households on qualifying benefits or via the LA Flex income route — but it closes on 31 December 2026 with no ECO5 planned. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers a £7,500 heat pump grant with no income restrictions (open until March 2028) but needs a £500–£6,500 contribution, while the Warm Homes: Local Grant offers the highest ceiling, up to £30,000, for low-income English households. The Great British Insulation Scheme closed in January 2026, and the Warm Home Discount gives an automatic £150 annual bill credit to Pension Credit recipients.
Schemes can be combined strategically — free ECO4 insulation followed by a BUS heat pump can be worth £17,500+ in total, and an ECO4 boiler alongside the automatic Warm Home Discount can save £730+ a year. From 2027, the £13.2 billion Warm Homes Plan takes over from ECO4 under a different, not-yet-finalised funding model.
With ECO4 and LA Flex both closing at the end of 2026, and over 7,000 UK households already helped, checking which of the five schemes you qualify for now — while ECO4's rules are still known — is the safest way to secure the most funding.
Check Which Scheme You Qualify For
One 60-second check covers ECO4, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and the Warm Homes: Local Grant, so you'll see exactly which schemes you qualify for and how much funding you could get.
Ready to Apply for a Free Boiler Before ECO4 Closes?
Don't wait until the deadline. Check which schemes you qualify for and start your application today. Our team has helped 7,000+ UK households access free energy grants.