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Is ECO4 legit? How to spot ECO4 scams and where to complain

ECO4 Application is an independent information and eligibility-check site. We are not the government, Ofgem, an energy supplier, a council or an installer. ECO4 is a real scheme, run under Ofgem until 31 December 2026, but it is delivered by many companies, and some approaches are pushy or misleading. Here is how to tell the difference, using GOV.UK and Ofgem guidance.

In short: ECO4 is genuine. Calls and door-knocks can be genuine too, because GOV.UK says installers or agents may contact you directly. Check with your council or the named energy supplier, check the installer on TrustMark, and never agree without a contract.

Sources: GOV.UK, Energy Company Obligation; Ofgem, homeowners and tenants. Checked 31 October 2026.

What makes ECO4 legitimate

Ofgem administers ECO4 as a government energy efficiency scheme in Great Britain. Obligated energy suppliers fund the work, councils can refer households through ECO4 Flex, and installers must be TrustMark registered and work to PAS 2030 and PAS 2035 standards (Ofgem ECO4 delivery guidance). Ofgem publishes the list of participating suppliers and their contacts.

Red flags

What you hearWhy it is a warning sign
"Sign today or lose your funding"Ofgem says agree only once you have received a contract; take your time
"It's 100% free, guaranteed"Ofgem says ECO is not a grant scheme and you may be asked to contribute
"Pay a small fee to register"There is no official ECO4 application fee
"We're from the government" / "Ofgem-approved"Ofgem does not install; ask which supplier funds the work and check it
"You definitely qualify" before any assessmentOfgem says eligibility does not guarantee installation, and the assessment can change it
"ECO5 starts next month"No successor scheme is confirmed on an official page

How to check an offer

  1. Ask which obligated energy supplier is funding the work, then contact that supplier using Ofgem's published contacts (Ofgem ECO contacts and guidance).
  2. Or contact your council: GOV.UK suggests this if an offer is unclear.
  3. Check the installer on the TrustMark register.
  4. Ask for the contract and read what is included, any contribution, and the guarantee.
  5. Shop around. Ofgem says you may be approached by several companies.

Where to complain

GOV.UK says that if you are unhappy with work or products installed under the scheme, contact the installer or the company that guaranteed the work; if they do not solve the problem, contact Citizens Advice. TrustMark has its own complaints process, including what to do if your installer has stopped trading. For solid wall insulation, GOV.UK has a dedicated page: see ECO4 solid wall insulation.

Where this site fits

We are an information site. We do not install, do not take ECO4 applications and do not pass your details to an installer. If you use our checker, we reply by email with the route that looks right for you. To make contact yourself, see how to apply for ECO4.

Questions

Is ECO4 a real government scheme?

Yes. Ofgem describes ECO as a government energy efficiency scheme in Great Britain; ECO4 runs until 31 December 2026.

Someone cold-called me about ECO4. Is it a scam?

Not necessarily: GOV.UK says installers or agents might contact you directly. If you are unsure, contact your council or the energy supplier the caller says they represent.

Where do I complain about ECO4 work?

GOV.UK says contact the installer or the company that guaranteed the work, and if that does not resolve it, Citizens Advice. TrustMark has a complaints process too.

Should I pay a fee to apply for ECO4?

There is no official application fee. Treat any request to pay just to register as a warning sign, and get a contract before agreeing to any work.