Are you eligible for free home insulation or a heating upgrade — and how do you apply before the deadline?

What is the Warm Homes Plan — and why does it matter?

In January 2026, the government launched its Warm Homes Plan — a £15 billion programme to upgrade up to five million homes across the UK by 2030. The aim is to cut energy bills, reduce carbon emissions, and help people live more comfortably in better-insulated homes.

For people over 55, this is particularly significant. Older homes are often the least energy-efficient — many were built before any insulation standards existed — and people on fixed incomes feel the impact of high energy bills most acutely. The scheme recognises this, which is why people receiving Pension Credit and similar benefits are prioritised.

What does ECO4 cover — and when does it close?

ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation 4) is the main government-backed scheme through which energy suppliers fund free home energy upgrades for eligible households. It was extended in 2026 and now runs until 31 December 2026 — after which no replacement scheme has yet been confirmed.

Under ECO4, eligible homes can receive:

• Loft insulation (one of the most cost-effective upgrades available)
• Cavity wall insulation
• Solid wall insulation (internal or external)
• Air source heat pumps in some cases
• Heating system upgrades where the primary heating is inefficient

The cost of these works is paid by your energy supplier — not by you. A typical loft insulation job costs around £300–£600; solid wall insulation can run to £10,000 or more. Getting this funded is a genuinely significant benefit.

Are you eligible for ECO4 — and what counts as a qualifying benefit?

You are likely eligible for ECO4 if you receive any of the following:

• Pension Credit (either Guarantee or Savings Credit)
• Universal Credit
• Income Support
• Housing Benefit
• Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit
• Jobseeker’s Allowance (income-based)
• Employment and Support Allowance (income-related)

Even if you do not receive one of these benefits, your council may be able to refer you under what is called LA Flex — a local authority discretion scheme. Many councils include people aged 60 and over as a priority group, particularly if they are on a low income or have a health condition worsened by cold or damp housing. It is worth calling your council’s housing team to ask.

What is the Warm Homes Local Grant — and how is it different from ECO4?

Running alongside ECO4 is the Warm Homes: Local Grant, which works through your local council rather than your energy supplier. The eligibility criteria are slightly different — you may qualify if your household income is under £36,000 a year and your home has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F, or G.

If your home has not had an EPC assessment recently, you can check your current rating free of charge at find-energy-certificate.service.gov.uk. The Local Grant can cover up to £15,000 worth of insulation works per home — a substantial sum that could transform how warm and affordable your home is to run.

One important point: you do not need to own your home to apply. Both schemes are available to owner-occupiers and private renters — although for renters, your landlord will typically need to give consent for works to go ahead.

How do you apply — and how long does it take?

For ECO4, the first step is to contact your energy supplier directly. Ask whether they are currently accepting applications for your area. All major suppliers — including British Gas, EDF, E.ON, and Octopus Energy — participate in the scheme.

For the Warm Homes Local Grant, you can apply via the government’s website at gov.uk or by calling 0800 098 7950 (free to call, including from mobiles). Your local council’s housing or energy team can also guide you through the process.

Be aware that the process is not instant. From application to completed works typically takes 12 to 20 weeks in 2026, partly because demand is high and surveyors and installers are stretched. If you apply now, there is a good chance your works will be completed before winter — but do not leave it until October.

What if you do not qualify for the free schemes — are there other options?

If your income is above the ECO4 thresholds, you may still have options worth exploring:

• Boiler Upgrade Scheme: If you want to replace a gas boiler with an air source heat pump, the government currently offers a grant of £7,500. This is available regardless of income — you apply through your installer.
• Warm Home Discount: A £150 reduction off your electricity bill each winter. If you are on Pension Credit, this should be applied automatically — contact your supplier if it has not appeared.
• Local authority grants: Some councils offer their own insulation or heating grants to residents over a certain age or with specific health conditions. It is worth checking your council’s website or calling their housing team.

What should you do right now?