Millions of UK households eligible for up to £30,000 in energy-efficiency grants tied to health conditions

Millions of homeowners in the UK living with common chronic conditions such as asthma, arthritis or limited mobility may be eligible for up to £30,000 in government-backed energy-efficiency grants, but industry and consumer groups say the scheme is poorly publicised by energy suppliers.

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme, now operating under its ECO4 phase, allows energy suppliers to fund a range of home upgrades — including loft and cavity wall insulation, boiler replacements, air source heat pumps, solar panels, ventilation assessments and double glazing — for properties with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating below a C. Eligibility for health-related awards under ECO4 can be established by a GP letter confirming that a resident has a cardiovascular condition, respiratory disease, limited mobility or immunosuppression and that living in a cold home adversely affects their health.

ECO was introduced in 2013 and initially focused on low-income households and people receiving benefits. It was expanded in 2022 to include those whose health could benefit from home energy improvements. According to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, more than 2.5 million homes have received upgrades through ECO since the scheme began, and ECO4 is a four-year phase that has allocated about £1 billion a year for energy-efficiency measures. ECO4 is due to conclude next year.

Consumer reporting by Money Mail found inconsistent public-facing information about the health route to ECO4 across large energy suppliers. Of the six biggest suppliers it examined, only one — E.ON — explicitly signposted that specific support is available for customers with common health conditions. Industry and consumer advocates say a lack of clear advertising means many eligible households do not claim funds that could cover substantial works.

Ofgem, the energy regulator, says GPs can refer patients when they are “sure their patient is suffering from severe or long-term ill health and that their health is adversely affected by living in a cold home.” Ofgem describes four umbrella health categories that might qualify a household for the measures. It is at the GP’s discretion to determine whether a patient meets the criteria, and energy suppliers typically do not request additional medical documentation beyond the referral.

The grants are not means-tested, but applicants must either own the property or have their landlord’s permission for the upgrades. Charity groups and industry platforms say the potential beneficiary pool is large: Allergy UK estimates at least two million people live in cold homes with damp or mould problems that can trigger or exacerbate respiratory illness; research and health statistics put asthma sufferers at around seven million and people with arthritis at about ten million in the UK.

Kate Hallewell, founder of installation platform Energy Saving Genie, said a wide range of conditions can qualify a household. "A huge number of people qualify through a wide range of conditions — from mobility issues to chronic pain. GPs can refer eligible households, and it is entirely up to them to judge whether someone’s condition fits the ECO criteria. It covers children as well as adults at the address," she said.

Personal experience highlights the potential savings. Travel agent Sarah Jones, 34, of Scunthorpe, said she was unaware of the ECO route when she spent roughly £11,000 on double glazing and more than £2,000 on air purifiers after a severe deterioration of asthma following pneumonia. The work raised her bungalow to an EPC C rating, the threshold for many ECO4 measures. Her energy supplier later told Money Mail she might have qualified for grant-funded measures had she applied earlier, and the company provided some alternative support after being contacted.

Octopus Energy provided an electric blanket, switched Jones to a fixed-tariff deal and directed her to potential solar panel grants; the firm’s chief product officer, Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, said changes to homes can reduce bills and urged customers to contact suppliers to explore options. A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said recent energy price shocks have emphasised the need to upgrade homes and that the ECO scheme plays a vital role supporting low-income families and people with health conditions to live in warmer, safer homes.

Those who believe they may qualify are advised to make an appointment with their GP and request a letter or referral. Ofgem provides a template referral letter that GPs can use and guidance for clinicians, and organisations such as Energy Saving Genie also host templates and application advice. The Government maintains a public EPC database at gov.uk/find-energy-certificate for homeowners to check their property rating.

Ofgem’s consumer affairs team can be contacted by email at consumeraffairs@ofgem.gov.uk or by phone on 020 7901 7295 for further guidance on ECO4. Energy suppliers handle the delivery and contracting of upgrades through approved installers once eligibility is confirmed.

Campaigners and consumer advisers say clearer communication from suppliers and medical practices could increase uptake among eligible households before the current ECO4 phase ends. With significant sums allocated annually and a broad range of qualifying conditions, consumer advocates describe the scheme as an underused route to reduce health risks associated with cold, damp and poorly insulated housing.

Further information on eligibility, the application process and approved measures is available on the Ofgem website and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero guidance pages.