HELP TO HEAT

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a government energy efficiency programme administered by Ofgem. Its purpose is to improve some of the least energy efficient homes in Great Britain, helping to tackle fuel poverty, reduce carbon emissions and lower energy bills. The current phase, ECO4, began in 2022 and runs until March 2026.

ECO4 places an obligation on medium and large energy suppliers to deliver energy efficiency improvements. ECO4 takes a whole house approach, assessing the property as a complete system and delivering multiple measures where required to reduce heat loss and improve overall efficiency.

‍Who is eligible
‍To qualify for funding, households must be low income or in receipt of means tested benefits, such as:
Universal Credit
Child Benefit
Housing Benefit
Pension Credit
Jobseeker’s Allowance
Carer’s Allowance

Local authorities and other public bodies may also nominate additional households for support through ECO4 Flex, which allows for eligibility based on local priorities such as health, vulnerability or fuel poverty risk.

‍Scheme timeline
‍The scheme runs until March 2026. The scheme runs until March 2026. The latest Budget has confirmed that, after more than a decade, the scheme will close at the end of March.

‍Energy Company Obligation (ECO) | Ofgem

The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS), previously known as ECO+, is a government energy efficiency programme administered by Ofgem. It is designed to improve some of the least energy efficient homes in Great Britain, helping to reduce heat loss, lower energy bills and tackle fuel poverty.

GBIS complements the ECO4 scheme, but while ECO4 takes a whole house approach, GBIS usually provides simple energy efficiency measures such as loft or cavity wall insulation.

‍Who is eligible
‍Eligible households under GBIS include:
Low income or vulnerable households that meet the same means tested benefit and low income criteria used in ECO4, particularly those living in homes with low energy efficiency.
Homes with an Energy Performance Certificate rating of D to G, within the lower council tax bands, A to D in England and A to E in Scotland and Wales.

‍Scheme timeline
‍The scheme runs until March 2026, and the latest Budget has confirmed that it will close at the end of March alongside ECO4.

‍Great British Insulation Scheme | Ofgem

‍The Warm Homes Social Housing Fund supports social landlords to upgrade energy efficiency across their housing stock. The scheme focuses on improving homes with lower EPC ratings through insulation, low carbon heating and renewable technologies. Its aim is to reduce fuel poverty, cut energy bills and support long term decarbonisation across the social housing sector.

The fund helps landlords plan and deliver large scale retrofit programmes, with works carried out over several years. It follows on from earlier social housing decarbonisation Fund and continues the commitment to improving building performance across social homes.

The scheme runs until 2028 and provides an important route for social landlords to modernise homes, improve comfort and meet national energy efficiency targets.

‍Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund Wave 3 – successful Social Housing Landlords including local authorities and housing associations - GOV.UK

The Warm Homes Local Grant provides funding to improve the energy efficiency of low income private homes in England with lower EPC ratings. It supports measures such as insulation, solar PV and low carbon heating to help reduce energy bills, improve comfort and cut carbon emissions.

The scheme is delivered by local authorities, who identify eligible households and coordinate installation works. It supports owner occupiers, private renters and park homes, with a focus on helping those most at risk of fuel poverty.

The grant forms part of the wider Warm Homes programme and continues the work of earlier schemes, such as HUG, by enabling local authorities to deliver targeted energy efficiency upgrades within their communities. Delivery starts in 2025 and is expected to continue for several years.

‍Apply for the Warm Homes: Local Grant to improve a home - GOV.UK

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme supports homeowners and landlords in England and Wales to switch from fossil fuel heating to low carbon alternatives. It provides financial support for the installation of air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps and, in some cases, biomass boilers. The scheme aims to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency and encourage the long term transition to cleaner heating systems.

The scheme is installer led, with an MCS certified installer applying for the grant on behalf of the property owner. This helps reduce upfront costs and makes the process simpler and more accessible for households.

The recent Budget included further support for low carbon heating, with plans to expand the scheme to cover additional technologies and funding for clean heat.

The scheme is planned to run until 2028 and forms an important part of the transition to low carbon heating across England and Wales.

‍Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) | Ofgem

The Warm Home Discount provides a one off discount on electricity bills for eligible households during the winter period. It is designed to support low income and vulnerable customers by reducing energy costs when they are typically highest.

Most households that receive a qualifying means tested benefit are awarded the discount automatically, provided they are named on the electricity bill by the qualifying date. The discount is applied directly to the electricity account, or to the gas account for customers on a dual fuel tariff with the same supplier. The discount will not affect your Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Payment.

Households that do not receive a confirmation letter by early January may need to contact the scheme helpline to check their status. The Warm Home Discount helps households stay warm, manage winter energy costs and reduce the risk of fuel poverty.

‍Warm Home Discount (WHD) | Ofgem
Warm Home Discount Scheme: Overview - GOV.UK