ECO4-Programm: Energieeffizienz 2026 (GB)

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) is the fourth iteration of the UK's supplier obligation programme, running from April 2022 to 31 March 2026. Under ECO4, Ofgem places a legal obligation on energy suppliers with 150,000 or more domestic customers to fund energy efficiency improvements in eligible households across Great Britain. The scheme specifically targets fuel poverty and low-income households, requiring properties to be upgraded from EPC Band D or below to at least Band C where technically feasible. ECO4 represents a significant regulatory burden and opportunity for the housing sector, including social landlords, private landlords, and housing associations.

Eligibility is assessed at the household level. Owner-occupiers and private renters may qualify if they receive certain means-tested benefits (such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or Child Tax Credit) or if they are referred through the ECO4 Flex route, where local authorities can extend eligibility to households in or at risk of fuel poverty even without qualifying benefits. Private landlords can participate but must contribute a minimum co-funding amount (typically 25–50% of measure costs) unless the tenant is on qualifying benefits. Social housing providers have separate obligations under the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF).

Eligible measures under ECO4 include solid wall insulation, cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, underfloor insulation, air source heat pumps, first-time central heating systems, and solar PV in specific circumstances. Each measure must deliver a meaningful improvement to the property's SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) energy rating. Unlike previous ECO iterations, ECO4 adopts a whole-house retrofit approach: installers must conduct a Whole House Plan (WHP) assessment before installation to identify the most cost-effective combination of measures.

To access ECO4 funding, households or landlords should contact their energy supplier directly or approach a TrustMark- and PAS 2035-certified retrofit installer, who will assess eligibility and manage the application on behalf of the obligated supplier. Local authorities and housing organisations can also engage through the ECO4 Flex mechanism by submitting household referrals to suppliers via a Statement of Intent. All installed measures must comply with PAS 2030:2019 and PAS 2035:2019 quality standards, and installers must be TrustMark registered. With ECO4 concluding in March 2026, property managers should act promptly to ensure applications are processed in time, as a successor scheme (ECO5 or the Warm Homes Plan) is under consultation but not yet confirmed in its final form.

Hinweis: Dieser Beitrag ist kein Ersatz für rechtliche oder steuerliche Beratung. Bitte konsultieren Sie für individuelle Fragen einen Fachexperten.

Umsetzungs-Checkliste

1. Assess tenant/household eligibility: check qualifying benefits or local authority ECO4 Flex route
2. Contact the household's energy supplier or a TrustMark-registered ECO4 installer for an initial assessment
3. Commission a Whole House Plan (WHP) survey by a PAS 2035-certified retrofit assessor
4. Identify eligible measures (insulation, heating, heat pumps) based on WHP recommendations
5. For private landlords: confirm co-funding contribution requirement (typically 25–50% of costs)
6. Ensure all installers hold TrustMark registration and comply with PAS 2030/PAS 2035 standards
7. Submit ECO4 Flex referrals via local authority Statement of Intent if benefits route does not apply
8. Act before 31 March 2026 deadline; monitor announcements on ECO5 / Warm Homes Plan successor scheme