Eligible Liverpool households on qualifying benefits can receive a free boiler or central heating installation through the ECO4 scheme. Here is who qualifies, what is covered and how to apply before funding runs out.
ECO4 stands for Energy Company Obligation 4. It is a UK government programme that legally requires large energy suppliers to fund energy efficiency improvements in eligible homes. For qualifying Liverpool households, this can mean a free replacement boiler, first-time central heating installation, insulation and other heating upgrades at no cost to the homeowner or tenant.
The scheme was launched in April 2022 and is administered by Ofgem. It runs until 31 December 2026. The government's successor programme, the Warm Homes Plan, is expected to follow. The ECO4 scheme focuses specifically on improving the least energy-efficient homes and helping households most vulnerable to fuel poverty.
Energy companies have fixed budgets under ECO4 and allocate them on a first-come, first-served basis. Most remaining funding is now concentrated on the least efficient properties. If you think you may qualify, checking eligibility now rather than in six months is strongly advisable.
To qualify for ECO4, a Liverpool household must meet two main criteria: income or benefit eligibility and property energy efficiency rating.
You must be receiving at least one of the following qualifying benefits:
Your Liverpool property must have an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating of D, E, F or G. Properties already rated A, B or C are not eligible because they are considered sufficiently energy-efficient. The EPC rating can be checked for free on the GOV.UK EPC checker. If your property has not had an EPC assessment, one can be arranged as part of the ECO4 eligibility process.
If your household does not receive a qualifying benefit but has a low income or specific health vulnerabilities that are worsened by living in a cold home, you may still qualify through the ECO4 Flex route. Under Flex, your local council can refer your household for ECO4 funding if you meet their local eligibility criteria. Each Liverpool City Council ward may have different Flex criteria. Contact Liverpool City Council to ask whether your household might qualify under Flex.
ECO4 takes a whole-house approach to energy efficiency. Rather than replacing a boiler in isolation, the scheme assesses the whole property and funds the combination of measures that delivers the greatest energy efficiency improvement. For Liverpool properties, this typically includes:
Not every measure is available to every property. An assessor will survey your Liverpool home and determine which combination of measures delivers the required improvement in energy efficiency rating.
ECO4 is specifically for replacing inefficient gas heating systems or installing central heating for the first time. It does not fund:
There is no direct government application form for ECO4. The scheme is delivered by approved installers who work with energy company budgets. The process is:
The UK government has announced the Warm Homes Plan as the successor to ECO4, with £13.2 billion in funding allocated. The Warm Homes: Local Grant programme is already underway in some areas, focusing on improving the least energy-efficient homes with insulation, low-carbon heating systems and smart controls. Liverpool households who miss the ECO4 window should register their interest for Warm Homes Plan funding as these programmes are announced. See the latest government guidance on GOV.UK for updates.
If you think you may qualify, call us on 07399 676656. We assess eligibility during the free survey and advise on the best route forward. If ECO4 is not available, we can also advise on low-cost finance options for boiler replacement. See our boiler installation page for standard installation prices.
You need to receive a qualifying benefit (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and others) and have an EPC rating of D, E, F or G. Check your EPC rating free at gov.uk/check-energy-performance-certificate. We assess full eligibility during the free survey at no cost. Call 07399 676656.
For qualifying households, yes. The full cost of the boiler, installation, controls and any required insulation measures is covered by the energy company at no cost to you. In some complex installations a small contribution may be required. This will be confirmed before any work is agreed.
Yes. Private tenants can receive ECO4 funding if they receive qualifying benefits and the property has a qualifying EPC rating. The landlord must give written consent for the work. The landlord does not need to receive benefits. It is the tenant's benefit status that determines eligibility.
The ECO4 scheme runs until 31 December 2026. Remaining funding is limited and allocated first-come, first-served. The government's Warm Homes Plan is the expected successor programme. If you think you may qualify, checking eligibility now is strongly advisable.
ECO4 Flex allows local councils to refer households for ECO4 funding even if they do not receive a qualifying benefit, if they meet local vulnerability or low income criteria. Liverpool City Council sets its own Flex criteria. Contact Liverpool City Council to check whether your household might qualify through the Flex route.
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