ECO4 Boiler Grant: Am I Eligible in 2026?

ECO4 is still running in 2026, but a lot of pages online are now out of date. The scheme was extended and is due to run until 31 December 2026. It can fund qualifying energy-efficiency and heating improvements for eligible households, but an ECO4 application does not automatically mean a free new gas boiler.

What is ECO4?

ECO stands for Energy Company Obligation. ECO4 is the current phase of the government energy-efficiency scheme administered by Ofgem. It places obligations on medium and large energy suppliers to support measures that reduce home-heating costs for low-income, fuel-poor and vulnerable households.

The current ECO4 obligation period ends on 31 December 2026 following a nine-month extension.

Who can qualify?

Eligibility depends on both the household and the property, and there is more than one route into the scheme. Certain means-tested benefits can be relevant, while ECO4 Flex allows participating local authorities and energy suppliers to identify some households through wider eligibility criteria.

The property itself also matters. ECO4 is aimed at improving less energy-efficient homes, and the package offered is based on what the assessment says the property needs and what qualifies under the scheme.

Because the detailed rules can change and individual circumstances matter, do not rely on a checklist copied from an old “free boiler” advert. Check the current position with an obligated energy supplier, an authorised scheme delivery partner, or the relevant local authority route.

Does ECO4 guarantee a free boiler?

No. That wording is often too simplistic. ECO4 can support heating measures in qualifying homes, but the scheme is designed around improving the whole property's energy performance. What is offered depends on the assessment, the existing heating system, the household and the current measure rules.

Some households may receive fully funded work, some may be offered a different package of measures, and some will not qualify.

What kind of work can ECO4 support?

Depending on eligibility and the property assessment, ECO4 can support energy-efficiency and heating measures. The exact package is determined through the scheme rather than chosen from a simple menu by the householder.

That is why the safest question is not “Can I get a free boiler?” but “Does my household and property qualify for ECO4, and what measures would the assessment recommend?”

How do I check?

1. Check your home's EPC and basic household eligibility information.
2. Contact an obligated energy supplier or a legitimate ECO delivery route and ask for the current 2026 criteria.
3. If you are being assessed through ECO4 Flex, follow the participating local authority or supplier process.
4. Do not pay an upfront fee simply to be told that a government grant is “guaranteed”.

AR Heating & Gas does not promise ECO funding or present itself as the organisation deciding eligibility. We can help with the normal repair-or-replace decision and give you a paid replacement price to compare with any legitimate grant route you are exploring.

Other support in England

The Warm Homes: Local Grant is also operating in England for eligible privately owned and privately rented homes. It is aimed at lower-income households in less energy-efficient properties and can fund measures such as insulation, solar, smart controls and low-carbon heating. Read our 2026 North East boiler and heating grants guide for the wider picture.

Where to go next

See the broader North East grants guide, our repair or replace guide, new boiler installation options or boiler finance. If you simply need to know whether the existing boiler is worth repairing, call 0191 540 2051.