Support for home energy improvements depends on where the property is, the household’s circumstances and the work proposed. An old list of grants can send an owner towards a closed scheme or the wrong application route. Start with the current official guidance and obtain confirmation before relying on funding in a budget.
Warm Homes: Local Grant in England
The government’s application page describes support for privately owned homes in England with an EPC rating of D, E, F or G. Household income is usually £36,000 a year or less, although certain benefits or postcode areas can provide another eligibility route.
Support also depends on the council having funding available. The council arranges a survey, agrees suitable improvements and organises the work. Options can include insulation, heating controls, solar panels or an air source heat pump. Residents do not pay for the agreed improvements, although a landlord may have to contribute.
Use the official eligibility checker rather than assuming that a particular product will be funded. Ask who will carry out the survey, what information is required and how any proposed works will be confirmed. If you rent, involve the landlord before making installation arrangements.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme in England and Wales
This scheme helps eligible property owners with the cost of qualifying low-carbon heating installations. Current headline support includes £7,500 for an air-to-water or ground source heat pump, £2,500 for an air-to-air heat pump and £5,000 for a qualifying biomass boiler. An additional £1,500 is available until March 2027 for eligible air source or ground source installations replacing oil or LPG heating where there is no mains gas connection.
The amount does not establish that an individual home or installation qualifies. Discuss the proposal with an MCS-certified installer, check the eligibility conditions and ask for a quotation showing the grant separately from the amount you will pay. Ofgem explains that the grant is paid to the installer and reflected in the quotation and invoice.
Keep the decision property-specific
Compare the proposed system, installation work, warranties and remaining costs. A grant is not a promise of a particular bill saving, and a cheaper installation is not automatically the most suitable proposal. Keep the written assessment and funding confirmation together before committing.
Sources: GOV.UK, Warm Homes: Local Grant; Boiler Upgrade Scheme eligibility and grant amounts; Ofgem guidance for property owners. Checked 3 November 2026. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate support arrangements.