Government Energy Scheme

ECO4 Scheme Hull & Yorkshire: Free Solar Panels & Insulation 2026

Hull has a 20% fuel poverty rate — nearly double the national average. The ECO4 scheme funds free solar panels, insulation, and heat pumps for eligible Hull and Yorkshire households. YEERS is an MCS-certified, ECO4-accredited installer based in Hull. We manage your entire application at no cost to you.

Free Eligibility Check: 01482 765 095 Online Eligibility Checker

20%

Hull fuel poverty rate
(national avg 11.4%)

£10,000

Maximum per property
in measures funded

476/100k

Hull GBIS uptake —
highest in England

ECO4 Eligibility Criteria 2026

You qualify for ECO4 if you meet at least one of these criteria AND your property has an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G:

Qualifying Benefits

  • Universal Credit
  • Pension Credit (Guarantee or Savings)
  • Income-based JSA / ESA
  • Income Support
  • Child Tax Credit (income under £31,000)
  • Working Tax Credit
  • Child Benefit (qualifying income threshold)
  • Housing Benefit
  • Warm Home Discount (Core group)

Income Route

Household income under £31,000/year combined with an EPC D or below rating.

LA Flex (Hull)

Hull City Council has identified fuel poverty households in Bransholme, Orchard Park, Longhill, Greatfield, and East Hull who can qualify regardless of standard criteria.

Check My Eligibility Now (30 Seconds)

What Does ECO4 Cover?

ECO4 is not just a solar panel scheme — it funds a comprehensive package of energy efficiency measures worth up to £10,000 per property. Ofgem requires the combination of measures to improve your EPC rating by at least one band.

Solar Panels

Typical 4–6kW system. Saves £500–£1,000/year. 25yr warranty.

Loft Insulation

Up to 270mm mineral wool. Saves up to £280/year in heat loss.

Cavity Wall Insulation

Injected mineral fibre. Free cavity check included.

Solid Wall Insulation

Internal or external. For pre-1930s solid brick homes.

Air Source Heat Pump

Combined with solar. Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant also available.

Underfloor Insulation

For suspended timber floors. Eliminates draughts.

Hull's ECO4 Context: Why This Matters

Hull is the 7th most deprived local authority in England by fuel poverty. Under the 10% affordability metric, 75.6% of Hull East households spend more than a tenth of their disposable income on energy. Specific areas face even higher rates: Bransholme (HU7) and Orchard Park (HU6) have fuel poverty rates exceeding 30%, while parts of Longhill and Bilton Grange (HU9) exceed 35%.

Hull already has the highest uptake of the Great British Insulation Scheme in England — 476 installations per 100,000 households, more than six times the national average. This is evidence that Hull residents engage strongly with energy efficiency funding when awareness is high. YEERS works with Hull City Council, local housing associations, and community organisations to ensure eligible households know about and can access ECO4.

Average Hull property prices of approximately £155,000 mean that energy bills represent a proportionally larger share of housing costs than in higher-value areas. A solar system reducing annual energy bills by £500–£1,000 per year delivers real, meaningful financial relief.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step

YEERS manages your entire application. You do not need to contact any energy company or Ofgem directly.

1

Check your eligibility

Confirm your EPC rating (D–G) using the government EPC register at gov.uk or by calling YEERS on 01482 765 095. Gather evidence of any qualifying benefits (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, etc.) or income documents if applying on household income grounds.

2

Book your free property assessment

YEERS visits your property for a free no-obligation survey. We assess your roof, insulation levels, heating system, and existing EPC to confirm your eligibility and identify which measures will improve your rating. This typically takes 45–60 minutes.

3

We submit your application

YEERS compiles your eligibility documentation and submits your full ECO4 application to the energy company funding your installation. We manage all correspondence with Ofgem and the energy company — you do not need to contact anyone else.

4

Installation day

Our MCS-certified installation team arrives, installs your solar panels (and any other approved measures), completes all electrical certification under NAPIT competent person scheme, and registers your installation with the MCS database to activate your Smart Export Guarantee entitlement.

5

Handover and aftercare

We walk you through your new system, show you the monitoring app, explain how to maximise your savings, and provide all warranty documentation. Your installation is registered with Ofgem within 5 working days of completion.

Ready to start? The process takes less than 5 minutes to initiate.

Call 01482 765 095

ECO4 2026: Important Updates

  • ECO4 runs until March 2026 — apply now as installer slots are filling quickly.
  • The Warm Homes Plan (Labour's ECO4 successor) is expected to launch mid-2026 with expanded eligibility and higher grant values.
  • EPC assessments must be current. If yours is more than 10 years old, YEERS arranges a free updated assessment.
  • Properties must improve by at least one EPC band — Ofgem verifies this after installation.
  • 0% VAT applies to all ECO4 installations — saving an additional 20% if you were paying VAT.

ECO4 vs Warm Homes Plan: What's the Difference?

The Warm Homes Plan is the Labour government's flagship energy efficiency programme, announced in 2024 as ECO4's successor. Here is what we currently know:

Feature ECO4 (Current) Warm Homes Plan (Expected)
Timeline Until March 2026 Mid-2026 onwards
Income threshold £31,000/year Expected ~£36,000/year
EPC eligibility D, E, F, G Expected D, E, F, G (+ possible C)
Total investment ~£4bn remaining (2025) £13.2bn over parliament
Solar PV covered Yes Yes (expected)
Heat pumps covered Yes (with insulation) Yes, expanded

* Warm Homes Plan details are subject to government consultation and parliamentary process. Information based on government announcements as of March 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Advice on commercial savings, government grants, and renewable technology.

Is ECO4 still available in 2026?
Yes. The ECO4 scheme runs until March 2026 as currently legislated, with the government's Warm Homes Plan expected to replace and extend this funding from mid-2026 onwards. Hull and East Yorkshire households should apply now as funding is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and installer slots are limited. YEERS can check your eligibility today.
Who qualifies for ECO4 free solar panels in Hull?
You may qualify if your property has an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G; your household income is under £31,000/year; you receive a qualifying benefit (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, ESA, JSA, Income Support, Child Benefit with qualifying income, Working Tax Credit, or Child Tax Credit); or your local authority has identified your household under the LA Flex scheme. Hull City Council has published a Statement of Intent widening LA Flex eligibility to include fuel poverty cases in Bransholme, Orchard Park, Longhill, and East Hull estates.
What does ECO4 actually pay for — what will I receive for free?
ECO4 covers a full package of energy efficiency measures worth up to £10,000 per property. This can include solar panel installation (typically 4–6kW systems), loft insulation (if not already insulated), cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation (internal or external), air source heat pump installation, underfloor insulation, room-in-roof insulation, first-time central heating systems, and park home insulation. The exact measures installed depend on your EPC assessment results — Ofgem requires the package to improve your EPC rating by at least one band.
How long does ECO4 take from application to installation in Hull?
The ECO4 process typically takes 4–8 weeks from your initial eligibility check to completed installation. Week 1: YEERS conducts your free eligibility check and documents your benefits or income evidence. Weeks 2–3: We arrange an EPC assessment of your property (free as part of the process). Weeks 3–4: YEERS submits your application to the energy company funding the scheme. Weeks 5–8: Installation is carried out by our MCS-certified team. Ofgem then verifies the installation and issues your certificate. The process is completely managed by YEERS — you do not need to contact any energy company yourself.
Does ECO4 cover my whole Hull property or just part of it?
ECO4 covers the primary energy efficiency measures needed to improve your EPC rating by at least one band. This is a whole-property approach — we assess your insulation, heating, and energy generation together and install the combination that delivers the greatest improvement. For a typical Hull D-rated terrace with poor insulation and a gas boiler, this might mean loft insulation plus solar panels. For an older E or F-rated property in East Hull, the package might include solid wall insulation plus an air source heat pump.
Can private renters in Hull get ECO4?
Yes, if your landlord gives permission. The property must be privately rented (not social housing, which has separate funding), your tenancy must be expected to continue for at least 12 months, and your landlord must consent to the installation. We recommend approaching your landlord with written confirmation of the scheme — the improvements add value to the property at no cost to them. YEERS can provide a formal letter for you to present to your landlord.
What is the Warm Homes Plan and how does it relate to ECO4?
The Warm Homes Plan is the Labour government's successor programme to ECO4, announced in 2024 with a proposed £13.2 billion investment. It is expected to replace ECO4 from mid-2026 with expanded eligibility and higher grant values — potentially covering households up to EPC C rating and income thresholds up to £36,000. It will also include the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS). YEERS is monitoring the rollout closely. If you are borderline eligible for ECO4, it may be worth waiting to see if the Warm Homes Plan criteria suit you better — though we recommend applying for ECO4 now if you qualify, as there is no guarantee of timing.
I am on Pension Credit — do I automatically get free solar in Hull?
Pension Credit is one of the strongest qualifying benefits for ECO4. If you receive Pension Credit (either Guarantee Credit or Savings Credit), your household income is automatically considered to meet ECO4 criteria. However, your property also needs to have an EPC rating of D or below, and the proposed measures must improve your EPC rating. The good news is that most older properties in Hull occupied by Pension Credit recipients tend to have lower EPC ratings — YEERS finds over 85% of Pension Credit applicants in Hull ultimately qualify. Contact us for a free check.
What areas of Hull are covered by ECO4 LA Flex?
Hull City Council has issued a Statement of Intent identifying specific areas and property types eligible under LA Flex criteria, extending eligibility beyond the standard benefit and income thresholds. This covers households experiencing fuel poverty in areas including Bransholme (HU7), Orchard Park (HU6), Longhill and Bilton Grange (HU9), Greatfield (HU9), and parts of East Hull (HU8). If you live in these areas and are not on qualifying benefits but struggle with energy bills, YEERS can submit your case for LA Flex consideration. Call 01482 765 095 to discuss your circumstances.
Will solar panels on my Hull home affect my Council Tax or benefits?
Solar panels do not increase your Council Tax band. The Valuation Office Agency confirmed in 2023 that solar PV systems are exempt from Council Tax revaluation. Your ECO4-funded solar installation also does not count as income or capital for means-tested benefits including Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or Housing Benefit. Your Smart Export Guarantee payments (for selling excess electricity to the grid) are also exempt from Council Tax, though large SEG payments may technically be reportable for income tax — however, most domestic systems generate well below the threshold.
Does ECO4 cover commercial properties in Hull or East Yorkshire?
No. ECO4 is a domestic scheme only, covering owner-occupied and privately rented residential properties. For commercial properties, there are separate funding mechanisms including the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS), and Hull & East Yorkshire Combined Authority business support programmes. YEERS provides commercial solar installations with competitive self-funded pricing starting from £12,000 for a 20kW system. Contact us to discuss commercial options.
How do I know if my Hull property has an EPC D, E, F, or G rating?
You can check your current EPC rating for free on the Government's EPC register at gov.uk/find-energy-certificate — just enter your postcode. If your property does not have an EPC, YEERS arranges a free assessment as part of the ECO4 application process. Many Hull properties — particularly terraced houses built before 1970 without cavity wall insulation, and Victorian properties in the Avenues area — naturally fall into D, E, or F categories. New builds completed after 2000 are generally rated C or B.
What happens after ECO4 ends — will solar panels from the scheme keep working?
Yes. Once installed, your solar panels belong to your property and continue generating electricity indefinitely. The average panel lifespan is 25–30 years with minimal degradation (approximately 0.5% efficiency loss per year). All YEERS ECO4 installations include a 25-year panel performance warranty and a 10-year workmanship warranty. Your Smart Export Guarantee entitlement does not expire. The panels, inverter, and all electrical connections remain your property. YEERS also offers an annual maintenance plan at £149/year to keep your system performing optimally.

Income between £31,000–£36,000?

The ECO4 income threshold is £31,000. If you earn between £31,000 and £36,000, you may qualify for the Warm Homes Local Grant — a Hull City Council scheme that funds free solar panels, heat pumps and insulation for eligible households. YEERS is the local delivery partner.

Learn about the Warm Homes Local Grant

Related Grants & Funding

Boiler Upgrade Scheme

Up to £7,500 grant for air source heat pumps. Can combine with solar under ECO4.

0% VAT on Solar Panels

Zero VAT on all residential solar installations until March 2027. Saves £1,000+ on a typical system.

Smart Export Guarantee

Get paid for every unit of solar electricity you export to the grid. Up to 15p/kWh.

Warm Homes Local Grant

Hull City Council scheme: £3.4M secured. Income up to £36,000. YEERS is the E.ON delivery partner.

YEERS ECO4 Credentials

We are registered with the MCS, TrustMark (licence #3414227), NAPIT, and are ECO4 and GBIS accredited installers. Based in Hull, we have completed hundreds of grant-funded installations across East Yorkshire.

MCS CertifiedTrustMark ApprovedNAPIT RegisteredECO4 AccreditedGBIS AccreditedHull-Based
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