Updated on 23/01/25 by Abby_OVO
If you want to make your home warmer and more energy efficient, we can help.
If you’re eligible, you could get a wide range of energy-saving measures installed through ECO4 – from loft insulation to a new boiler, or even high-end tech like heat pumps. You could get a whole package installed, all for free.
What is the ECO4 scheme?
The UK government’s ECO scheme is designed to help you reduce your energy bills, keep your home warm and your energy use down.
All large UK energy suppliers take part in the scheme, which aims to improve your home’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). As part of it, we at OVO can help you install energy efficiency measures such as insulation and heating upgrades. We’re now on version 4 of the scheme – that’s why it’s known as ECO4.
Since the scheme began in 2012, we've helped thousands of homes across the country, with over 600,000 energy efficiency improvements.
If your home qualifies for energy efficiency upgrades, our trusted partners could help install the measures it needs.
What’s included in ECO4?
The ECO funding makes all kinds of different improvements around your home. For example, it’s unlikely you’d only be eligible for loft insulation or a new heating system – you’d get a few things based on a survey of your home. If you join the scheme, you’ll need to agree to all the energy efficiency measures our installation partner recommends when they assess your home. You wouldn’t be able to pick and choose the measures you prefer. These might include:
Insulation
This is the most important measure we carry out and we make sure all bases are covered: cavity wall, external wall, flat roof, internal wall, loft, underfloor or room-in-roof.
Air source heat pump
These take warmth from the air outside and use it to heat your home. They power both your heating and your hot water, and they work all year round
Electric storage heater upgrade
These storage heaters charge up at night. They then release their heat gradually throughout the following day.
Solar panels
These turn sunlight into electricity, but they don’t even need direct sunlight to work. So they’re perfect for the UK.
First time central heating
If your home has never had it, we’ll sort this for you. We’ll either fit a modern, efficient boiler or an air source heat pump.
Who’s eligible for ECO4?
To access ECO4 through OVO, you’ll need:
- To be a homeowner or a private tenant.
- An EPC rating of D, E, F or G if you own your home (E, F or G for tenants). Not sure of your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating? Check your EPC if you live in Scotland, or if you live in England or Wales.
- You don’t need to be an OVO customer. To receive one or more benefits (see below).
Eligible benefits
-
Income-based Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)
-
Income related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Pension Credit Saving Credit
- Warm Home Discount payment
- Child Benefit (maximum income levels apply – see below)
How to apply for ECO4
Apply for ECO4
First up, you can apply for the scheme with OVO through our form. We’ll check the details you’ve given us. Then, if it looks like you’ll qualify for ECO4, we’ll pass them to one of our trusted partners.
Our partner will contact you
They’ll double-check the details you gave us (including your EPC rating and benefits status), and ask some more questions about your home. Then, if you’re eligible, they’ll arrange your home assessment to let you know how it could be improved.
Booking the installation
Our partner will talk to an installer about the upgrades you could get through ECO4. If you’re happy to go ahead, our partner will book the installations with you. They’ll have their own terms and conditions, and you’ll need to sign a contract with them before the work begins. The order the works happen is decided by scheme rules – for example, insulation will be installed before heating.
Important details to know
We can’t guarantee you’ll be included in the scheme until our installation partner has confirmed that you’re eligible and that your home fits the ECO4 criteria.
We at OVO don’t install the energy efficiency measures ourselves. We’ll put you in contact with one of our trusted partners, then they’ll carry out the full assessment of your home and install any ECO4 measures.
The installer will check the information you’ve provided. If it looks like you’re eligible, they’ll need to visit your home to carry out a technical survey to work out which measures to install. Any upgrades they recommend for your home will be based on what will reduce your energy use under ECO4, rather than your preference.
Being eligible doesn’t mean that upgrades can definitely be installed in your home. The results of your survey might mean they won’t save enough energy, or installing them could cause a lot of disruption. Or there might be something about your property that means our partner can’t install the measures.
