Moving home after an ECO4 installation: what UK households should check (2026)

Guide by ApplyFreeBoiler.uk (Reliant Energy Solutions Ltd), a heating and insulation installer in Bury, Greater Manchester. We are not the government, Ofgem or an energy supplier.

An ECO4 heating or insulation upgrade stays with the building when you move. Guarantees, manuals and a clear note of what was done help the next household, your solicitor and anyone who later needs a repair. This checklist is general information from a Bury-based heating and insulation installer and does not guarantee funding.

1. Gather the install paperwork in one folder

Collect the survey report, the list of measures fitted, any guarantee or warranty documents, user manuals, aftercare numbers and the date the work was signed off. If papers were only sent by email, download them and keep a second copy somewhere you will still be able to open after you move.

2. Tell your solicitor or conveyancer early

When you instruct a solicitor to sell, mention that the home has had ECO4-funded heating or insulation work and share the paperwork. Buyers' questions about guarantees, remaining cover and who to call for a repair are easier to answer if the file is already with the solicitor.

3. Ask whether guarantees transfer to the next owner

Many product and workmanship guarantees can transfer when a home is sold, but the steps vary. Ask the installer or guarantee provider, in writing, what the new owner would need to do, whether there is a fee or registration step, and how long cover remains.

4. Leave clear instructions for the heating controls

A new boiler, programmer, thermostat or hot water cylinder is far less useful if nobody knows how to use it. Leave a short printed note next to the controls covering the everyday settings, the installer aftercare number and where the manuals are kept.

5. Note any outstanding aftercare or snagging

If something still needs finishing, a part is on order, or you have reported a fault, write down the reference number and the person you have been dealing with. Tell your solicitor and the installer that you are moving, so messages are not sent to an old address or disconnected phone.

6. Think about what you tell buyers and estate agents

A factual note of what was installed and when is helpful. Avoid promising how much bills will fall, because that depends on how the next household uses the home. Point them to the guarantees and manuals rather than giving a running commentary on running costs.

7. If you are buying a home that already had ECO4 work

Ask the seller for the install documents and guarantee details, and check that the measures described match what you can see in the property. If anything is unclear, ask your solicitor to raise it, and do not assume that previous funding means further work would automatically follow.

8. Check whether the EPC has been updated

Heating and insulation work can change an Energy Performance Certificate. Search the official register by postcode and compare the date and description with the work you know about. A newer certificate is useful context for a sale, but it is not a promise of any further funding.

9. Compare local delivery data

See ECO measures by council on ApplyFreeBoiler.uk, built from DESNZ Household Energy Efficiency statistics, to see how many ECO measures have been installed in your local authority area.

10. Check eligibility

Use the ApplyFreeBoiler.uk eligibility check to see whether an ECO4 heating or insulation pathway may be available for your home in England, Scotland or Wales. ECO4 is due to close on 31 December 2026.