ECO4 closed on 31 March 2026. If you applied under ECO4, or missed out on it, the Warm Homes Plan is the scheme to focus on now. Here's a plain-English comparison.
See our solar panel installation service for what gets installed under the new scheme.
What was ECO4?
The Energy Company Obligation, fourth phase (ECO4) ran from 2022 to March 2026. It was a government-mandated scheme requiring large energy suppliers to fund insulation and heating upgrades for low-income and fuel-poor households. ECO4 was effective but limited: strict eligibility, primary focus on insulation and gas heating, lower grant caps.
What is the Warm Homes Plan?
The Warm Homes Plan is the successor scheme, launched in 2024 and now the primary vehicle for home energy upgrades in England. It's funded by central government (£15 billion) and administered locally. Broader scope, higher grant values, more comprehensive measures.
Key differences: ECO4 vs Warm Homes Plan
| ECO4 | Warm Homes Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Closed 31 March 2026 | Live — funded to 2030 |
| Income threshold | Benefits-based or ≤£31,000 | ≤£36,000 gross (broader) |
| EPC requirement | D–G | D–G (WH:LG) or none (BUS) |
| Maximum grant value | ~£20,000 | Up to £30,000 (WH:LG) |
| Solar PV included | Limited | Yes, explicitly included |
| Battery storage | Not typically included | Yes, listed measure |
| Heat pump grant | Means-tested only | £7,500 BUS (£9,000 oil/LPG from July 2026) — any homeowner |
| Funded by | Energy suppliers | Central government |
| Lancashire delivery | Energy suppliers' contractors | Cosy Homes in Lancashire |
The most important change: solar and batteries are now in scope
Under ECO4, solar panels were largely excluded from funded installations. The Warm Homes Plan changes this — solar PV and battery storage are listed measures under the WH:LG. Eligible households can receive a funded solar and battery system alongside insulation and heating upgrades, all in the same grant application.
ECO4 is closed. The Warm Homes Plan is open.
Check your eligibility today — free, no obligation.
Did ECO4 end — or is it still available?
ECO4 closed on 31 March 2026. No new applications can be made. The Warm Homes Plan is its replacement. If you're searching for ECO4 grants now, what you're looking for is the Warm Homes Local Grant.
I qualified for ECO4 — will I qualify for the Warm Homes Plan?
Almost certainly. The income threshold is higher (£36,000 vs ECO4's stricter benefit-based routes), and the EPC condition is the same (D–G). If you qualified for ECO4, you will very likely qualify for the WH:LG.
The reverse is also true: if you were just above ECO4's threshold, the wider eligibility means some previously ineligible households now qualify.
What about Scotland and Wales?
The Warm Homes Plan is England-only. Scotland has Warmer Homes Scotland / Home Energy Scotland; Wales has the Nest scheme. Contact your devolved authority for the equivalent.
Frequently asked questions
Has ECO4 been replaced?
Yes. ECO4 closed on 31 March 2026. The Warm Homes Plan — specifically the Warm Homes Local Grant — is its replacement, with wider eligibility and higher grant values.
Is the Warm Homes Plan better than ECO4?
In several ways, yes. The income threshold is higher, solar panels and batteries are explicitly included, and the maximum grant value (£30,000) exceeds ECO4's typical cap. The scheme is also funded centrally.
Can I still apply for ECO4?
No. ECO4 closed on 31 March 2026. Apply for the Warm Homes Local Grant instead.
Related Warm Homes Plan guides
