ECO4 and Warm Homes Grant: Your Complete Guide to Free Home Insulation

What Are ECO4 and the Warm Homes Local Grant?

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) is the fourth phase of the government's flagship energy efficiency scheme, running from April 2022 to March 2026 (now extended). The Warm Homes: Local Grant is the successor scheme for 2025 onwards, administered by local authorities.

Together, these schemes provide up to £15,000 per household in fully-funded energy efficiency improvements.

What Improvements Are Covered?

• Cavity wall insulation — Reduces heat loss through walls by up to 35%
• Loft insulation — Can save £250+ per year on heating bills
• Air source heat pumps — Replaces old gas boilers with efficient electric heating
• Solar PV panels — Generates free electricity and can earn through the Smart Export Guarantee
• External wall insulation — For solid-wall properties (common in pre-1930s Midlands homes)
• First-time central heating — For properties without existing central heating
• Smart heating controls — Thermostats, TRVs and zone controls

Who Qualifies?

ECO4 Eligibility:

You or someone in your household must receive one of these benefits:

• Universal Credit
• Income Support
• Housing Benefit
• Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit or Savings Credit)
• Child Tax Credit (with income below £19,900)
• Working Tax Credit (with income below £19,900)
• Income-related ESA or JSA

Warm Homes: Local Grant:

Your local authority may have broader criteria. Many areas now offer support based on:

• EPC rating D or below — The lower your rating, the higher your priority
• Household income under £36,000 per year — 'Low income' definitions vary by council
• Properties in specific postcodes — Some councils target the least efficient areas first

The Process: Step by Step

1. Get a current EPC — You need a valid EPC (less than 10 years old) to apply
2. Book a Retrofit Assessment — A PAS 2035-qualified assessor surveys your entire property
3. Receive your Improvement Plan — We produce a detailed Medium-Term Improvement Plan listing all eligible measures
4. Grant application submitted — We handle the paperwork and liaise with approved installers
5. Installation — An accredited installer completes the work (typically 1-3 days)
6. Final sign-off — We verify the work and issue updated compliance certificates

How Much Can You Save?

According to the Energy Saving Trust, a typical Midlands semi-detached home upgrading from EPC D to EPC C can save:

• £200-£400 per year on heating bills
• 1.5 tonnes of CO2 per year — equivalent to driving 6,000 miles
• Potentially 5-10% increase in property value

Government Resources

• ECO4 Scheme Guidance (Gov.uk)
• Warm Homes: Local Grant Delivery Guidance
• Great British Insulation Scheme
• Ofgem ECO4 Delivery

Start Your Application Today

Use our free grant eligibility checker → or book a call with our retrofit team → to find out exactly what funding you can access.

Our PAS 2035-qualified assessors cover Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sutton Coldfield and all surrounding West Midlands and Staffordshire postcodes. Same-day appointments available.

For Coventry-specific grant information, see our Coventry retrofit assessor guide.

For Coventry-specific grant information, see our Coventry retrofit assessor guide.