If you're an insulation installer in the UK, you've likely heard of the ECO4 scheme and LA Flex. Both offer funding for energy efficiency upgrades like loft and cavity wall insulation—but they work differently. And understanding how to use both effectively could be the difference between an empty calendar and a steady stream of booked jobs.
This guide breaks down how LA Flex vs ECO4 compares, who qualifies, and how you can use both to grow your insulation business in 2025.
🔍 What Is ECO4?
ECO4 stands for the Energy Company Obligation Phase 4, a UK-wide scheme funded by energy suppliers to help low-income and vulnerable households improve their energy efficiency.
It covers a range of upgrades, including:
- Loft insulation
- Cavity wall insulation
- Room-in-roof insulation
- Heating controls
- Heat pumps & solar (in certain cases)
Who qualifies for ECO4?
To get ECO4 funding, a household must typically:
- Be on a means-tested benefit (like UC, ESA, Pension Credit)
- Have a low EPC rating (usually E, F or G)
- Own or privately rent their home
ECO4 jobs must be delivered by:
- PAS 2030 / TrustMark certified installers
- Within a whole-house retrofit framework (PAS 2035)
It's a national scheme with strict eligibility and paperwork — but the jobs are usually fully funded.
🧭 What Is LA Flex?
LA Flex, short for Local Authority Flexible Eligibility, is a way for councils to widen the eligibility criteria for ECO funding. It's technically still part of ECO4 — but gives local authorities power to approve households who don't meet the standard rules.
With LA Flex, households might qualify if:
- Their income is above benefits level but still low
- They have long-term health conditions affected by cold homes
- They live in fuel poverty but don't claim benefits
- They're vulnerable or elderly
Councils publish something called a Statement of Intent (SoI), which outlines their own criteria.
As an installer, this means you can help a much broader set of customers — especially those who would normally be turned away under ECO4.
⚖️ LA Flex vs ECO4: What's the Difference?
| Feature | ECO4 | LA Flex |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Benefit-based only | Council-defined flexibility |
| Funded by | Energy suppliers | Energy suppliers (still under ECO4) |
| Administered by | Ofgem / central rules | Local authorities |
| Good for | Standard low-income households | "Grey area" customers with low EPCs |
| Installer requirement | PAS 2030 & TrustMark | PAS 2030 & TrustMark |
| Common in | Everywhere in the UK | Areas with proactive councils |
💼 Why This Matters for Installers
If you're only focusing on standard ECO4 jobs, you're leaving money on the table. LA Flex lets you:
- Serve more clients
- Book jobs faster
- Help those who don't realise they're eligible
Some installers report that 30–50% of their funded work now comes through LA Flex.
📍 How to Get LA Flex and ECO4 Jobs in Your Area
Here's how to build a reliable pipeline:
✅ 1. Check Local LA Flex SoIs
Search "[your council] Statement of Intent LA Flex" online. Most publish their eligibility rules and contacts.
✅ 2. Use HomeBuyerLeads to Target the Right Homes
Platforms like HomeBuyerLeads allow you to:
- See recent home sales in your service area
- Filter by EPC rating, tenure, and property type
- Focus on homes most likely to qualify under ECO4 or LA Flex
By targeting newly moved-in owners of cold homes, you can catch leads before they hit public lead marketplaces.
✅ 3. Offer a Free Grant Check
Turn your outreach into value:
"Do you qualify for free loft or wall insulation under ECO4 or LA Flex?"
This performs better than generic offers.
🔧 What Smart Installers Are Doing in 2025
The best-performing insulation companies:
- Use LA Flex to unlock funding for more homeowners
- Know which councils are actively participating
- Leverage EPC data to identify eligible homes
- Automate lead generation with property-based targeting
- Focus outreach within 1 month of home sale (prime decision window)
Platforms like HomeBuyerLeads help PAS 2030-certified installers find real homeowners who are ready to act — not just leads recycled across five companies.
🧠 Final Thoughts: Don't Pick One — Use Both
LA Flex vs ECO4 isn't either/or — it's both.
To win more jobs, stay competitive, and build consistent revenue, you need to understand both schemes and how to match them to the right customer.
Then, it's all about getting in front of those customers at the right time — before your competitors do.
Want to see how many local homes near you qualify for insulation under ECO4 or LA Flex? Start with HomeBuyerLeads today – and unlock verified, grant-eligible property leads in your postcode.