Yes, you can switch, but only if you move fast and understand the rules. Most homeowners don’t realise they’re locked in the moment they accept funding. Miss that window, and you’re facing cancellation fees that’ll make you question why you applied in the first place.
Here’s what actually matters: ECO4 ends March 31, 2026. That’s not a soft deadline. If you’re thinking about switching to Boiler Upgrade Scheme or the Warm Homes Plan, you need to act this week, not next month.
Your Switching Window (And Why It’s Smaller Than You Think)
The flexibility you have depends entirely on where you are in the approval pipeline. Think of it like booking a flight, easy to cancel before you check in, expensive after you board.
Before You Accept the Funding Offer
This is your golden period. You can request changes to heating systems or insulation measures without penalties. Want to switch from a condensing boiler to an air source heat pump? Doable, assuming both qualify under ECO4 rules.
But here’s the catch: once the survey’s done and your upgrade plan is finalised, changes require formal supplier approval. They’re not obligated to say yes.
| Stage | Can You Switch? | Cancellation Fee? |
| Eligibility approved | Yes, freely | No |
| Survey completed | Limited flexibility | No (usually) |
| Funding offer accepted | Yes, but costly | £395+ typical |
| Installation booked | Technically yes, practically no | £395+ guaranteed |
After Accepting Your Offer
Now you’re in penalty territory. Withdraw after accepting ECO4 funding, and expect cancellation charges around £395. That covers survey costs, admin, and system setup, legitimate expenses the provider can’t recover if you bail.
Some schemes managed through Welsh authorities are particularly strict about this. They’ve already spent money on your assessment. They want it back.
The Real Alternatives (Because ECO4 Is Dead Walking)
Let’s be clear: ECO4 was effectively killed off in November 2025 when the government announced no successor scheme. If you’re approved now, you’re riding a sinking ship with a four-month lifespan. So what are your actual options?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme: For Heat Pump Converts
BUS offers up to £7,500 for air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, or biomass systems. Unlike ECO4, it’s not means-tested, high earners qualify too.
Key differences:
- No income thresholds (anyone can apply)
- Runs until December 31, 2027 (more time)
- Requires MCS-certified installers (not TrustMark)
- Managed through installers, not energy suppliers
Want to ditch your ECO4 boiler approval for a heat pump? Don’t formally withdraw, just stop progressing your ECO4 application and apply to BUS instead. No cancellation fee if you never accepted the ECO4 funding.
Warm Homes Plan: The Actual ECO4 Replacement
Launched in spring 2025, this is now the primary support for low-income households. Your local council runs it, which means slower rollout but better local coordination.
Eligibility snapshot:
- Household income £36,000 or less (or on Universal Credit/Housing Benefit)
- Property EPC rating E, F, or G
- England only (Scotland/Wales/Northern Ireland have separate schemes)
The grant covers up to £15,000 for heat pump installations. That’s double what most ECO4 approvals offered for the same work.
Here’s the problem: not all councils have their act together yet. Some areas still don’t accept applications. Check your council’s status before you withdraw from ECO4.
Should You Actually Switch? (The Math Most People Ignore)
Switching sounds smart until you run the numbers. Let’s get specific.
Financial Reality Check
If you’ve accepted ECO4 funding and face a £395 cancellation fee, does switching to BUS make sense? Only if the long-term savings justify it.
Example calculation:
- ECO4 condensing boiler: £0 out of pocket, £800/year running costs
- BUS heat pump: £395 cancellation + £5,000 remaining cost after grant = £5,395 upfront, £600/year running costs
- Break-even: 27 years
That’s terrible math. But if your ECO4 approval is for a basic heat pump and BUS would fund a better system, the calculation flips.
Timing Is Everything (And You’re Almost Out of It)
ECO4 installations must be completed by March 31, 2026. If your approval is stalling and you’re only 12 weeks away from that deadline, switching to a scheme with more runway makes sense.
The Warm Homes Plan doesn’t have the same cutoff pressure. BUS runs until end of 2027. Both give you breathing room ECO4 can’t offer anymore.
Income Changes = Forced Switch
Did your circumstances improved since applying? If you’re no longer benefit-eligible, ECO4 providers can re-verify at installation and disqualify you.
That makes the decision for you. Withdraw immediately and pivot to BUS (if you want a heat pump) or private financing (if you want a boiler).
How to Switch Without Getting Burned
Most homeowners botch this by moving too slowly or not documenting properly. Here’s the exact sequence.
- Step 1: Contact your ECO4 provider today. Get your approval stage in writing, eligibility only, post-survey, or post-acceptance.
- Step 2: Ask explicitly about cancellation fees. Don’t assume. Get the number in writing.
- Step 3: Check your alternative scheme eligibility through official channels. For BUS, contact an MCS-certified installer. For the Warm Homes Plan, call your local council directly.
- Step 4: Submit a written withdrawal to your ECO4 provider. Include your application reference number and reason (e.g., “switching to BUS for heat pump installation”).
- Step 5: Apply to your new scheme immediately. BUS approval takes 4–6 weeks. Warm Homes Plan varies widely by council.
Don’t wait for ECO4 confirmation to apply elsewhere. The schemes don’t talk to each other. Parallel processing is your friend.
Common Scenarios (And What Actually Works)
Scenario 1: Approved for boiler, want heat pump If you’re pre-survey, request heat pump assessment from your ECO4 provider first. Post-survey? Withdraw and go straight to BUS. The £7,500 grant absorbs most heat pump costs, making the £395 cancellation fee irrelevant.
Scenario 2: Income increased after approval. You can’t proceed with ECO4 if you’re no longer benefit-eligible. Withdraw now. Apply to BUS if you want a heat pump (no income test). Otherwise, privately finance your boiler.
Scenario 3: Installation delays past March 2026 If your provider can’t commit to installation by the end of March, you’re in limbo. Withdraw and switch to the Warm Homes Plan for reduced timeline pressure. Just verify your council actually accepts applications first.
What Providers Won’t Mention
Withdraw from ECO4, and you’ll face a minimum 30-day wait before reapplying. That’s a gaming prevention rule, but it limits your options if you change your mind.
Also, don’t assume all schemes cover identical measures. BUS excludes windows and doors entirely. ECO4 Scheme sometimes covered these, sometimes didn’t. The Warm Homes Plan prioritizes insulation differently than ECO4 did.
And remember: government schemes can vanish overnight. ECO4’s abrupt November 2025 termination proved that. BUS runs until December 2027, but there’s no guarantee it won’t get axed early if funding priorities shift.
The Bottom Line
Switch before you accept ECO4 funding, and you’re fine. Switch after, and you’re paying £395+ to change your mind. That’s only worth it if the alternative scheme offers materially better outcomes, more grant money, better heating system, or more time to complete installation.
ECO4 has four months left. If your approval is dragging or doesn’t match your actual heating needs, switching makes sense. If installation is imminent and the system works for your home, stick with it.
The worst move? Doing nothing while you deliberate. Contact your provider this week, get your approval status documented, and decide based on actual numbers rather than vague preferences. The difference between ECO4 and BUS could mean £2,000+ in energy savings over ten years, but only if you stop overthinking and execute.