Electric Storage Heaters (ESH) are common in homes without a gas supply. Many older properties rely on outdated storage heaters that are expensive to run, slow to heat up, and poor at holding warmth. Under the ECO4 scheme, eligible households using old-style electric storage heaters may qualify for free modern replacements or a full heating upgrade, depending on the whole-house plan.

These upgrades are specifically designed for electric-only homes that already have storage heaters installed — ECO4 does not install storage heaters into homes that currently use gas or no fixed heating.

What are electric storage heaters?

Traditional storage heaters work by:

• Using cheaper off-peak electricity overnight
• Storing the heat in internal bricks
• Slowly releasing the heat during the day

Older ESH units often:

• Leak heat too quickly
• Cannot be accurately controlled
• Waste energy
• Cost a lot to run
• Fail to heat rooms properly

Modern, high-efficiency storage heaters fix all these issues by using improved insulation, better controls, and smarter heat retention.

Electric storage heater upgrades under ECO4

ECO4 may fund new electric storage heaters when:

• The home has no gas supply
• The existing electric storage heaters are old, broken, or inefficient
• The property relies fully on electricity for heating
• The upgrade helps raise the EPC rating

This measure is ONLY for homes that already have old-style ESH — it is not available for homes with gas heating, fires, or no heating at all.

Benefits of modern electric storage heaters

Newer ESH systems provide:

• Lower running costs
• Faster warm-up times
• Better heat retention
• Improved temperature control
• Higher efficiency
• Reduced daytime electricity usage

When combined with insulation upgrades, modern storage heaters can significantly improve comfort and energy savings in all-electric homes.

How the upgrade works

A surveyor will assess:

• Your current storage heaters
• Their condition and age
• The home’s insulation levels
• The whole-house improvement route

If eligible, you may receive:

• New high-efficiency storage heaters
• Smart heating controls
• Safety checks and optimisation

In some cases, ECO4 may recommend upgrading the home’s heating system entirely if storage heaters are not the best long-term solution.

Installation quality

All electric storage heater upgrades under ECO4 are carried out by fully certified, TrustMark-accredited installers, ensuring safe installation and compliance with government standards.

For eligible all-electric households relying on old storage heaters, this upgrade can dramatically improve warmth, comfort, control, and long-term energy efficiency — at no cost under the ECO4 scheme.