How the ECO Scheme is Defining the Energy Efficiency Landscape

How Many Measures Have Been Installed Under the Energy Company Obligation in 2025?

In 2025 so far, the UK government’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme has delivered approximately 810,700 energy efficiency measures across around 243,900 households in Great Britain. This includes installations that began from the start of ECO4 in April 2022 and carried-over measures from prior phases. Overall, since the start of ECO (all phases), around 4.2 million measures have been fitted in about 2.5 million properties. The scheme promotes measures like insulation, heating controls, and low-carbon heating systems to reduce fuel poverty and carbon emissions. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, roughly 68,100 new measures were installed, with March 2025 seeing a 26% increase in installations compared to February. Measures categorized as "Other Heating" — primarily heating controls — accounted for 50% of installations under ECO4, with loft insulation making up about 14%.

What Types of Measures Have Been Most Commonly Installed Through ECO in 2025?

The most prolific category under ECO4 measures in 2025 has been heating-related, including heating controls, electric storage heating, and district heating, which constitute half of all installs. Within this segment, 98% are heating controls. Loft insulation is the next largest component, representing 14% of measures fitted, followed by other insulation forms like flat and pitched roof insulation, solid floor insulation, window glazing, and draught proofing collectively creating another significant share. These energy-efficiency improvements target low-income and vulnerable households to help reduce energy bills and carbon emissions by improving the thermal performance and heating efficiency of homes.

What Are the Recent Government Statistics Showing About the Progress Towards ECO4 Targets?

ECO4, which runs from July 2022 through March 2026, requires suppliers to deliver annual bill savings by installing qualifying energy-saving measures. As of July 2025, progress statistics reveal:

• Nearly 190,000 ECO4 projects have been submitted, and delivery records cover about 96.5% of all measures commissioned under the scheme.
• Energy suppliers have largely met phase 1 to 3 obligations, with ongoing work in phase 4 (April 2025 to March 2026).
• The total target for annual bill savings under the Home Heating Cost Reduction Obligation (HHCRO) is £224.3 million, shared between suppliers based on their market share.
• Delivery percentages vary by supplier, with some like EDF Energy already surpassing 60% of their target, British Gas delivering around 47%, while others like Octopus Energy are progressing steadily though still at 31%. Overall, suppliers have achieved about 44% of targets for earlier phases combined.

How do ECO4 Installed Measures Contribute to Energy Saving and Carbon Reduction Goals?

Measures installed under ECO4 contribute significantly to the UK’s climate and social objectives. The energy efficiency improvements reduce homes’ energy demand, leading to lower fuel bills and carbon emissions. For example, the measures installed so far are estimated to save households collectively over £138.5 million annually in energy bills. The insulation and heating system upgrades also help tackle fuel poverty by making heating affordable and efficient for vulnerable populations. Importantly, these improvements align with the UK's legally binding net zero targets by supporting decarbonisation of the housing stock and reducing reliance on fossil fuel heating.

What Challenges Are Affecting ECO Delivery in 2025 and How Are They Being Addressed?

While ECO4 delivery has steadily increased since its launch in 2022, recent quarters show a slight dip in installation rates, notably a 2% decrease in Q1 2025 compared to the previous quarter. Challenges include supply chain issues, policy shifts, and the need for digital improvements in project validation and eligibility verification. Ofgem and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero are working to streamline reporting and digital processes to ensure accurate tracking of project completion. Suppliers continue to adjust their delivery models to meet obligations by the March 2026 deadline. Additionally, surplus actions from the previous ECO3 phase have been transitioned to count towards ECO4, ensuring no progress is lost and helping stabilize delivery metrics.

What Geographical Breakdowns and Household Types Benefit Most From ECO Measures in 2025?

ECO targets households in fuel poverty and vulnerable groups across England, Scotland, and Wales, with a geographical spread aimed at those needing the greatest support. The majority of measures go to first-time ECO recipients, with 14,400 new households benefiting in early 2025 alone. The scheme also prioritizes properties with solid walls, hard-to-treat homes, and those using inefficient heating systems. Detailed regional data are published periodically by the government showing uptake variations and continued expansion of coverage across rural and urban areas to reach diverse communities and maximize impact on fuel poverty reduction.

How Can Homeowners and Businesses Benefit from ECO Schemes in 2025?

Homeowners eligible for ECO measures can receive free or subsidised installations of energy-saving improvements like insulation, heating system upgrades, and renewable heating technologies. These upgrades lower energy bills, improve home comfort, and increase property value while supporting the UK’s carbon reduction goals. Businesses involved in energy efficiency can participate by working with ECO suppliers or installers to deliver qualifying installations. For tailored advice on maximising the benefits of low-carbon heating and insulation upgrades under schemes like ECO, homeowners and businesses can consult specialist renewable energy companies such as Atlantic Renewables, which provide expert solar PV and battery storage alongside heating solutions to complement ECO-supported measures.

Get in Touch

If you are looking to upgrade your home’s energy efficiency with support from the UK government’s Energy Company Obligation scheme or want to explore installing solar panels and battery storage to achieve greater energy savings, Atlantic Renewables' expert engineers are here to help. Call us today on 0161 207 4044 and start benefiting from cleaner, more affordable energy for your home or business !