About the ECO grant scheme in Wales
Government ECO grants in Wales are available until March 2026 for low income households that are off the gas grid. ECO is designed to help vulnerable families reduce their energy bills. The scheme provides 100% Grant funding for eligible properties where a member of the household claims a specific income-related benefit.
The Energy Company Obligation is a government-led energy efficiency grant scheme in Wales designed to lower carbon emissions and reduce the number of Welsh families living in fuel poverty.
The latest version is called ECO4. It runs until March 2026. Homeowners, private tenants and landlords in Wales can get 100% non-repayable grant funding to improve energy efficiency of their homes.
If you or someone lives with you claims a means tested benefit and your property has a low energy efficiency rating you may be eligible. The 100% grants cover the cost of energy-saving measures like solar panels, air source heat pumps, wall and roof insulation. More on ECO.
Free solar panel grants are available through the ECO4 scheme. Solar PV panels can reduce your electricity bills by up to 70% and make you less vulnerable to fluctuating energy costs.
Air source heat pumps use the latest technology to provide a sustainable and energy efficient way of heating your home. You can claim a 100% government grant to upgrade your off-gas boiler or electric central heating.
Effective roof and wall insulation are the best way to prevent your home losing heat. ECO insulation grants are completely free. They cover the supply and install of loft and wall insulation measures.
ecO Grants in Wales
How do eco grants work?
Getting an ECO grant is easy. There is no complicated application or forms. If you are eligible and you live in a Welsh postcode area we do all the work for you.
Step
01
Check your eligibility
Use our contact form to provide us with a few details about your property’s heating and construction.
Step
02
Arrange a home survey
If you are eligible one of our accredited energy assessors will contact you to arrange a free home survey.
Step
03
Free installation
We install the required energy efficiency measures and claim the grant from our ECO funder. You don’t have to do anything.
ECO Wales
Why ECO?
ECO helps families deemed to live in fuel poverty improve their home energy efficiency by upgrading central heating systems and insulation free of charge.
Energy Savings
Improving your home’s energy rating means real time financial savings on domestic energy bills.
Home Comfort
Improve the internal comfort of your home without worrying about the cost.
Sustainable Heating
Air source heat pumps are a cheaper, more environmentally-friendly way of heating your home.
Generate your own electricity
Be less reliant on the grid and fluctuating energy prices with a free solar panel install.
ECO grant scheme eligibility in Wales - who qualifies?
The ECO Grants Scheme is a government-led initiative in Wales that provides almost unlimited grant funding for heating and insulation. ECO has been around for a number of years and is aimed at helping lower-income families make their homes more energy efficient. Effective insulation and central heating helps reduce energy bills and carbon emissions.
The transition from ECO3 to ECO4
The previous phase of the scheme (ECO3) reached completion in June 2022. The current version, ECO4 is due to run until March 2026.
The transition between the two phases of the grant scheme saw many of the previously eligible benefits being scrapped, with new eligibility criteria introduced.
Eligible benefits under ECO3
Under ECO3 eligibility for a grant was based on households with lower incomes and disibility benefits shown in the list below:
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Child Tax Credit
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Income-Based ESA
- Industrial Injuries Disability Benefit
- Income Based JSA
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Universal Credit
- War Pensions Mobility Supplement
- Working Tax Credit
ECO 4 grant Eligibility
Under ECO 4 the disiability benefits have been removed with the main focus being on low income families. The following benefits are eligible for an ECO 4 grant in Wales:
- Child Benefit*
- Child Tax Credit
- Income-based ESA
- Housing Benefit – new eligible benefit
- Income Support
- Income-Based JSA
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Pension Credit Savings Credit
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credit
*Getting an ECO grant if you claim basic child benefit
If you don’t receive any other benefit and a member of your household claims basic monthly child benefit, you may still be eligible for an ECO grant. Although grant eligibility will be means tested. The following list contains the income thresholds for ECO 4 eligibility. Please note that these figures are based on the TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME BEFORE DEDUCTIONS:
- A single adult with 1 child: £19,900
- A single adult with 2 children: £24,800
- A single adult with 3 children: £29,600
- A single adult with 4 or more children: £34,500
- Couple with 1 child: £27,500
- Couple with 2 children: £32,300
- Couple with 3 children: £37,200
- Couple with 4 or more children: £42,000
More information on the Government’s eligibbility criteria for ECO grants in Wales can be found here – ECO4 eligibility.
ECO4 Property criteria
Until March 2026, ECO4 grants will concentrate on homes that have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E, F, or G. Properties with this rating normally have an inefficient heating system or substandard insulation. Properties that are off the gas grid and built with traditional stone are normally the least efficient.
Many homes in Wales, especially in rural areas, fall into this category.
Due to their stone construction and the fact that many of them have oil, LPG, or electric central heating, thousands of properties in Wales have not yet benefited from prior grant schemes.
Previous iterations of ECO concentrated on insulation for lofts and cavity walls as ways to improve energy efficiency. But stone-built properties don’t have cavity walls, so solid wall insulation has to be fitted internally or externally.
ECO4 adopts the “whole house approach.” Grant funding is provided to install all energy efficiency measures required to improve your energy rating by a minimum of two bands, which is also part of the scheme’s requirements.
If your house fits one of the above categories and you reside in a rural region, you might be qualified to get a new heating system and solar panels free of charge.
Heating systems and insulation
Before a new central heating system is built with a grant, your property must fulfil the minimum insulation criteria, just like with other heat pump programmes like the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).
If your home requires solid wall or roof insulation, this will also be installed at no cost. Smart controls and room thermostats will be included with all heating systems to increase your home’s overall energy efficiency.
ECO is an energy efficiency grant program backed by the Welsh government. It is funded by the major utility companies.
ECO Wales
How your home loses heat
The ECO grant scheme provides funding to install measures which help prevent your home losing heat.
If your home is not insulated correctly, the heat you generate with your boiler or central heating system literally escapes through the walls, floor and roof of your house.
Installing effective insulation raises your property’s energy efficiency rating and value. It can also mean a substantial reduction on energy costs.
Our experienced energy efficiency surveyors will carry out a free, indepth survey of your property. They will look at things like the age of the property, the construction type, heating system and existing insulation to assess its energy rating and suitability for an ECO4 grant.
Who pays for the ECO grant scheme in Wales?
ECO is an energy efficiency grant program backed by the Welsh government. It is funded by the major utility companies.
ECO Grant Scheme FAQ’s
Am I eligible for an ECO Grant in Wales?
ECO grants are available for many homeowners and private tenants in Wales who fall into the Help To Heat Group classification. Families are deemed to live in fuel poverty if a member of the household claims one of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Child or Working Tax Credits
- Income Based ESA
- Income Based JSA
- Pension Guarantee Credit
- Pension Savings Credit
- Housing Benefit
In addition, families who claim basic child benefit may also be eligible for financial help through the scheme if they are on a low income.
What measures does the ECO grant scheme cover?
The ECO scheme covers the full cost and installation of a variety of energy efficiency improvements including heating upgrades, solar panels, wall insulation and roof / loft insulation.
Can I get solar panels through the ECO 4 scheme?
Yes. Grants for free solar panels can be claimed through ECO4 in Wales if installed with a heating upgrade and insulation. They cannot be installed on their own but as part of a project.
ECO4 adopts what is known as the “Whole House Approach.” Installers encourage property owners to move away from the idea of installing single energy saving measures. You will be also encouraged to upgrade your properties heating system and insulation.
Can I get first time central heating grant through ECO?
Yes. Properties which have electric storage heaters or panel heaters are amongst the least energy efficient. Air source heat pump central heating is available through ECO4 and is seen as an environmentally friendly alternative to existing electric heating systems.
You must be off the gas grid and have no gas connection to your property to qualify for FTCH.
How long does the ECO Grant Scheme run for?
ECO grants in Wales are available until March 2026.