Energy Company Obligation 4 - a government scheme requiring large energy suppliers to fund energy efficiency improvements in fuel-poor and low-income households.
ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation 4) is a government energy efficiency scheme that launched in April 2022. Originally scheduled to run until March 2026, it has been extended to December 2026. It requires large energy suppliers to fund improvements in fuel-poor households and properties with low energy efficiency ratings.
ECO4 places significant emphasis on whole-house retrofit, requiring PAS 2035 compliance for most measures.
Households may qualify for ECO4 through several routes:
Households receiving qualifying benefits such as:
Local authorities can refer households based on:
Properties with:
ECO4 funds a range of energy efficiency improvements:
| Measure Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Insulation | Cavity wall, solid wall, loft, underfloor |
| Heating | First-time central heating, boiler upgrades |
| Renewables | Heat pumps, solar PV (in some cases) |
| Other | Heating controls, ventilation |
ECO4 mandates specific standards:
Our services help installers and organisations deliver ECO4 projects:
Whether you're installing solar PV, heat pumps, or other ECO4 measures, we ensure your work meets scheme requirements.
Publicly Available Specification for the installation of energy efficiency measures in existing buildings, required for government-funded retrofit schemes.
Publicly Available Specification for whole-building retrofit, establishing a framework for assessing, designing, and coordinating energy efficiency improvements in domestic buildings.
An Energy Performance Certificate rates a property's energy efficiency from A to G, required when selling or renting and for accessing certain renewable energy incentives.
Heat pumps extract warmth from air, ground, or water to heat buildings efficiently, eligible for government incentives when installed by MCS-certified installers.
Solar photovoltaic systems convert sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor cells, enabling homes and businesses to generate their own renewable power.