In 2026, the landscape of energy-saving grants in the UK is in a major state of transition. With the government’s ambitious “Warm Homes Plan” taking centre stage, several long-standing schemes are entering their final months or being replaced by more targeted local funds.
If you are a homeowner or a private tenant, understanding these deadlines and eligibility criteria is the difference between a high-efficiency home and high energy bills. Here is your comprehensive guide to the energy-saving grants available in the UK right now.
1. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
Best for: Switching from gas/oil to a heat pump.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme remains one of the most generous grants available, particularly after being extended and expanded. The government is currently offering significant upfront capital to help property owners in England and Wales transition to low-carbon heating.
What you get:
£7,500 towards an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP).
£7,500 towards a Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP).
£5,000 for a Biomass Boiler (in certain rural, off-gas areas).
Eligibility: You must be a homeowner (or self-builder). You must be replacing a fossil fuel system (like a gas, oil, or electric boiler).
Key Detail: As of 2024, you no longer need to have existing loft or cavity wall insulation to qualify for the grant, though it is still highly recommended for efficiency.
2. Energy Company Obligation (ECO4)
Best for: Low-income households and those on benefits.
ECO4 is a government-mandated scheme that requires energy suppliers to fund energy-efficient upgrades for the most vulnerable homes. It is currently scheduled to run until March 31, 2026.
What you get: This is a “whole-house” approach. Instead of just one measure, you might receive a combination of loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, and even solar panels or a new heating system to bring your home’s EPC rating up to a ‘C’.
Eligibility: Typically, you must receive a means-tested benefit (such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or Housing Benefit) and live in a property with an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G.
LA Flex: If you aren’t on benefits but have a low income or a health condition worsened by the cold, you may still qualify via “Local Authority Flexible Eligibility” (LA Flex).
3. The Warm Homes: Local Grant
Best for: Low-income households in England with inefficient homes.
Launched as a successor to previous local authority schemes, the Warm Homes: Local Grant (formerly part of the Home Upgrade Grant framework) is delivered by local councils.
What you get: Comprehensive retrofitting, including insulation, solar panels, and low-carbon heating.
Eligibility: * Household income under £36,000 annually.
An EPC rating of D through G.
Available for both owner-occupiers and private tenants (landlords must usually contribute a portion of the cost).
4. Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
Best for: Households that don’t qualify for low-income benefits.
While ECO4 targets the most vulnerable, the GBIS was designed to help the “able-to-pay” sector by focusing on single, high-impact insulation measures.
Important Note: As we enter 2026, many suppliers have closed applications for GBIS as the scheme nears its March 2026 deadline. However, it is still worth checking with your supplier to see if any remaining funding “pots” are available for:
Cavity wall insulation.
Loft insulation.
Solid wall insulation.
Eligibility: Generally open to homes in Council Tax bands A–D (England) or A–E (Scotland/Wales) with an EPC of D or lower.
5. Regional Support: Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Energy policy is a devolved matter, meaning there are specific pots of money available depending on where you live:
Home Energy Scotland (HES)
Scotland offers some of the most robust support in the UK. Through HES, homeowners can access a grant of up to £7,500 for energy efficiency measures, plus an additional interest-free loan for any remaining costs.
Nest (Wales)
The Welsh Government’s Nest scheme provides free home energy improvements to eligible households. It focuses on people living on low incomes and in homes that are expensive to heat.
Affordable Warmth Scheme (Northern Ireland)
This is the primary scheme in Northern Ireland for low-income households, providing up to £7,500 to help with insulation and heating improvements.
6. Winter Energy Payments (2025/2026)
While not “grants” for home improvements, these payments are vital for managing costs while you wait for upgrades:
Warm Home Discount: A £150 credit on your electricity bill (for those on Pension Credit or low income).
Winter Fuel Payment: Now restricted to pensioners receiving certain means-tested benefits, offering £200 to £300.
Cold Weather Payment: £25 for every seven-day period of sub-zero temperatures (for those on specific benefits).
Summary of Schemes
How to Get Started
Check your EPC: Visit the government’s EPC register to see your home’s current rating. Most grants require a rating of D or lower.
Contact your Council: Many of the best grants in 2026 are delivered locally. Search “[Your Council Name] energy grants” to see what is active in your area.
Find an MCS Installer: If you are looking at the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you must use an MCS-certified installer. They will actually apply for the grant on your behalf.
NEWS Flash!!!!!!!!
This week (January 20, 2026), the UK government officially unveiled the full details of its £15 Billion Warm Homes Plan. This is being hailed as the biggest home upgrade project in British history, aiming to modernize 5 million homes and lift 1 million families out of fuel poverty by 2030.
Here is a blog post summarizing what this means for you, whether you’re a homeowner, a renter, or a landlord.
The Warm Homes Plan: A “Rooftop Revolution” for British Households
Energy bills have been at the forefront of every household conversation for years. This week, the government took a massive step toward a permanent solution with the launch of the Warm Homes Plan.
The goal is simple: make our homes warmer, cheaper to run, and greener. By investing £15 billion over the coming years, the government is betting on a “rooftop revolution” of solar panels and heat pumps to break the UK’s dependence on expensive gas.
1. Direct Support for Low-Income Families
The heart of the plan is a £5 billion commitment to those struggling most with energy costs.
Fully Funded Upgrades: Low-income households (typically those earning under £36,000 or on certain benefits) can receive packages worth £9,000 to £12,000 completely free.
What’s included: This covers the full cost of solar panels, batteries, insulation (loft, wall, and floor), and heat pumps.
The “Street-by-Street” Approach: For social housing, the government plans to upgrade entire neighborhoods at once, making the rollout faster and more efficient.
2. “An Offer for Everyone”: Loans and Grants
Even if you aren’t on a low income, there are new incentives to help you upgrade your home:
Green Loans: The government is partnering with banks to offer zero or low-interest loans for solar panels and batteries. This removes the “upfront cost” barrier that stops many people from going green.
Heat Pump Grants: The universal Boiler Upgrade Scheme remains, offering £7,500 toward replacing a gas boiler with a heat pump.
Cooling in Summer: For the first time, the plan includes support for “air-to-air” heat pumps, which can cool your home during increasingly hot UK summers.
3. New Protections for Renters
Living in a “cold, damp, or mouldy” flat should soon be a thing of the past.
Minimum Standards: By 2030, all privately rented homes must reach an EPC rating of C.
Landlord Support: Landlords will have access to new financing options to reach these standards, ensuring that renters see an average saving of £300 per year on their bills.
How to Apply
The government has launched a new “one-stop-shop” called the Warm Homes Agency to handle applications and ensure quality control, moving away from the fragmented systems of the past.
Check Eligibility: You can use the official Gov.uk “Check for Energy Grants” tool to see what you qualify for.
Local Mayors: Many of the rollouts are being managed by local mayors—keep an eye on your local council website for “Warm Homes: Local Grant” windows.
The Bottom Line
This isn’t just about carbon targets; it’s about “pounds in pockets.” With solar panels alone saving a typical household roughly £350 a year, the transition to a “Warm Home” is looking like the smartest financial move a homeowner can make in 2026.