Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about our guide and home energy finance.
Independent guide. We are not a lender or a government body. Always check current scheme rules with the official provider.
All questions
Are you a lender or a government website?
No. We are an independent guide. We are not a lender or a government body and we are not affiliated with GOV.UK.
Do you charge for your guides?
No. Our guides are free to read.
Can you tell us if we qualify for a scheme?
No. Only the official scheme provider can confirm eligibility. We explain what they usually check.
Is there a government grant for solar panels?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme does not list solar panels. Low-income households may qualify for fully funded upgrades through separate Warm Homes Plan routes, so check official advice.
How much can I borrow for solar panels under the Warm Homes Loan Scheme?
The maximum is £15,000 for solar panels. Battery storage has its own £15,000 maximum.
Can I apply for the loan now?
Not yet. The Government has not confirmed eligibility rules or how and when you apply.
Why do you not show solar panel prices?
Prices depend on your home and change often. A written quote from an MCS-certified installer gives you an accurate figure.
How many quotes should I get?
Get two or three written quotes from MCS-certified installers. This helps you spot inflated prices.
How much is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant?
The grant is £7,500 for an air-to-water or ground source heat pump, or £9,000 when you replace oil or LPG in an off-gas-grid home. It is £2,500 for an air-to-air heat pump.
Can I get the grant in Scotland or Northern Ireland?
No. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme covers England and Wales only. Check official advice from Home Energy Scotland or the Energy Saving Trust.
How much can I borrow for a heat pump?
The Warm Homes Loan Scheme maximum is £20,000 for air-to-water, £10,000 for air-to-air and £35,000 for ground source.
Can I use the grant and the loan together?
Yes. The grant lowers the price, so you borrow less through the loan.
Why do you not show heat pump prices?
Prices depend on your home and change often. A written quote after a survey gives you an accurate figure.
Does my installer need to be MCS-certified?
Yes, for the grant. Check the installer's certification through the MCS installer search.
Do I need solar panels to use a battery?
No. A battery can charge from the grid at cheaper times on a time-of-use tariff. Solar panels let you store your own electricity too.
How much can I borrow for a battery?
The Warm Homes Loan Scheme sets a £15,000 maximum for battery storage, separate from the £15,000 solar maximum.
Is there a grant for battery storage?
Batteries are not in the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant categories. Check official Energy Saving Trust advice for other routes.
What is the difference between kWh and kW?
Kilowatt-hours describe how much energy the battery stores. Kilowatts describe how fast it delivers that energy.
Why do you not show battery prices or lifespans?
They depend on the product and your use. A written quote and the manufacturer's warranty give you accurate details.
Can I apply for the loan now?
Not yet. The Government has not confirmed eligibility rules or how and when you apply.
Is this the official Warm Homes Loan Scheme website?
No. We are an independent guide. We are not a lender or a government body, and we are not affiliated with GOV.UK.
When can I apply for a loan?
The Government has not yet confirmed how or when you apply. We will update this page once official details appear.
What interest rate will I pay?
Treasury backing lets lenders cut rates by up to 5 percentage points, and some borrowers may get 0%. Each lender has not yet published its final rates.
How much can I borrow?
The maximum depends on the measure. Solar panels and battery storage each have a £15,000 maximum, and a ground source heat pump has a £35,000 maximum.
Can I use the loan with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
Yes. You can combine the loan with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant for eligible heat pumps and biomass boilers in England and Wales.
How do I avoid scams?
Never pay an upfront fee for a loan. Check that the lender is on the official list of ten lenders and on the FCA register.
Which scheme should I look at first?
Start with your nation, then your income and benefits, then your EPC rating. Low-income routes come first because they do not need repaying.
Do I need to be on benefits to get help?
No. Warm Homes: Local Grant also accepts a gross household income of £36,000 or less, or living in a lowest-income-decile area. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme and the Home Energy Scotland grant have no benefits requirement.
Is ECO4 still open?
ECO4 runs until 31 December 2026. The Government has confirmed there is no successor obligation.
Can I combine a grant with a loan?
Yes, in many cases. You can combine the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant with the Warm Homes Loan Scheme, for example.
I live in Wales. Which schemes apply to me?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme, the Warm Homes Loan Scheme and the Welsh Government's Nest scheme. Check Nest directly for its eligibility rules.
I live in Northern Ireland. Where do I get advice?
Check official advice from the Energy Saving Trust for current schemes in Northern Ireland.
How do I check if my installer is MCS-certified?
Search for the firm on the MCS website. Check that the products are MCS-certified too.
What is TrustMark?
TrustMark is the government-endorsed quality scheme for home improvement and energy upgrades. You can search its register online.
What protection do I get if my installer belongs to RECC or HIES?
Deposit protection, a workmanship warranty of at least two years and a seven-day cooling-off period. RECC bans high-pressure selling, and HIES offers insurance-backed guarantees and free dispute resolution.
Can I cancel after I sign?
Yes. RECC and HIES members give you a seven-day cooling-off period.
How do I check a finance provider?
Search for the lender on the FCA register. For the Warm Homes Loan Scheme, check it is one of the ten listed lenders too.
Do you recommend specific installers?
No. We are an independent guide. We point you to the official registers so you can check firms yourself.