What is ECO 4 and GBIS
If you're a homeowner or tenant in the UK, you may have come across the terms ECO4 and GBIS—especially if you’re thinking about improving your home's energy efficiency. These schemes are part of the government’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions, tackle fuel poverty, and make homes warmer and cheaper to heat. But what exactly are ECO4 and GBIS? And how can they help you?
Let’s break them down.
What Is ECO4?
ECO4 stands for the Energy Company Obligation Phase 4, and it's the latest stage of a government-backed initiative that has been running since 2013.
The aim?
To help low-income and vulnerable households make their homes more energy efficient—at no cost or a heavily reduced cost.
How it works
Under ECO4, large energy suppliers are legally required to fund energy efficiency upgrades in eligible homes. These upgrades might include:
Cavity wall insulation
Loft insulation
Room-in-roof insulation
Solid wall insulation
Air source heat pumps
First-time central heating systems
Solar panels
The scheme focuses on long-term improvements—encouraging a “whole house retrofit” approach rather than one-off measures. The idea is to improve the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of a property as much as possible, in a single project.
Who qualifies?
Eligibility is based on income, benefits status, and the existing condition of the home. You may qualify if:
You receive certain means-tested benefits (e.g. Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit)
Your household income is below a certain threshold
You live in social housing or a private rental with an EPC rating of D or lower
What Is GBIS?
GBIS stands for the Great British Insulation Scheme, launched in 2023 as a complementary initiative to ECO4.
The aim?
To provide low-cost insulation to a much wider group of households—including middle-income families who don’t qualify for ECO4 but still need help with rising energy bills.
What does it cover?
The scheme is simpler than ECO4 and mainly focuses on insulation, such as:
Cavity wall insulation
Loft insulation
Pitched roof insulation
Flat roof insulation
Floor insulation
Who qualifies?
There are two groups:
Low-income group (similar to ECO4): May get insulation fully funded
General group: May be offered insulation at a subsidised rate
To qualify for the general group, your property must typically have an EPC rating of D or below and be in council tax bands A–D (England) or A–E (Scotland and Wales).
What’s the Difference Between ECO4 and GBIS?
FeatureECO4GBISFocusWhole-house retrofitInsulation-focused supportWho it's forLow-income and vulnerable householdsLow-to-middle income householdsTypes of upgradesWide range (heating, insulation, solar, etc.)Primarily insulationFundingFully funded measuresFully or partially subsidisedTimeframe2022–20262023–2026
Why Do These Schemes Matter?
With energy bills remaining high and the UK facing tough climate targets, ECO4 and GBIS are essential tools to:
Reduce fuel poverty
Cut household emissions
Improve health and wellbeing
Support the UK’s net zero targets
They also represent a huge opportunity for homeowners and tenants to upgrade their homes with government support.
How to Apply
You don’t apply directly to the government. Instead, you can:
Contact an accredited installer or retrofit assessor
Check your eligibility via official scheme websites or energy providers
Get a free survey to determine what improvements your home needs
Some local councils and energy providers also promote these schemes, so it’s worth checking with them too.
Final Thoughts
ECO4 and GBIS are two powerful tools in the UK’s drive toward energy-efficient housing. Whether you’re struggling to heat your home or simply want to lower your bills and carbon footprint, these schemes could provide the support you need.
If you're unsure whether you qualify, it’s worth speaking to a qualified retrofit assessor—they can guide you through the process and help unlock the funding you might be entitled to.