Home Energy Fund
How home energy funds work and four decision steps to find the right grant or loan for your nation, income, EPC rating and upgrade.
Read the guideLast checked: 30 October 2026
Home Energy Funding Options for Eco-conscious Families
Grant and loan routes for home energy upgrades in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Overview
We help UK homeowners find the right funding for solar panels, batteries, heat pumps and insulation. Each nation runs different schemes, so your address shapes your options first. This page compares the main grant and loan routes side by side. We use published sources only and list them at the end of the page.
Grants do not need repaying, while loans spread the cost over time. Many households can combine the two. Our guides below explain how to match a scheme to your income, your home and the upgrade you want.
Independent guide. We are not a lender or a government body. Always check current scheme rules with the official provider.
Schemes by nation
The table lists each main scheme, who it suits and its key condition. England has the widest mix of grants and loans. Wales shares the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and the Warm Homes Loan Scheme with England, and adds Nest. Scotland and Northern Ireland run their own support.
| Scheme | Nation | Type | Who it suits | Key condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warm Homes: Local Grant | England | Grant | Low-income households in privately owned homes | EPC rating D to G; apply through GOV.UK or your council |
| ECO4 | England | Grant | Low-income households | Ends 31 December 2026, with no successor obligation |
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme | England and Wales | Grant | Homeowners replacing fossil fuel heating | MCS-certified installer; heat pumps and biomass boilers only |
| Warm Homes Loan Scheme | England and Wales | Loan | Homeowners who want to spread the cost | Eligibility and application process not yet published |
| Nest | Wales | Grant | Welsh households seeking efficiency support | Check the Welsh Government scheme for details |
| Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan | Scotland | Grant and optional loan | Scottish homeowners; no benefits requirement | Written funding offer before work starts; MCS installer |
| Official advice | Northern Ireland | Advice | Homeowners in Northern Ireland | Check Energy Saving Trust advice for current schemes |
The Great British Insulation Scheme ended on 31 March 2026. ECO4 now runs until 31 December 2026, with no successor obligation. The Government has committed an extra £1.5bn of grant funding for low-income households under the Warm Homes Plan.
Support for low-income households
Warm Homes: Local Grant is the main low-income route in England. Local authorities deliver it, and it opened in April 2025. It funds insulation, glazing, solar panels and battery storage up to £15,000 per property. Low-carbon heating such as a heat pump can add up to a further £15,000, mainly for off-gas homes on oil or coal.
Check your eligibility on GOV.UK or contact your local council. Our support fund guide explains the rules in full.
Grants and loans for other homeowners
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives a grant towards a heat pump or biomass boiler in England and Wales, whatever your income. The Warm Homes Loan Scheme can then cover more of the cost. Solar panels and battery storage each have a £15,000 loan maximum. Three details are not yet confirmed. The Government has not published the eligibility rules. It has not confirmed how or when you apply. Each lender has not yet published its rates.
Home Energy Scotland offers a grant of up to £7,500 for a heat pump or biomass boiler. You can add an optional interest-free loan of up to a further £7,500. Eligible remote rural, island and off-gas rural areas get an extra £1,500. You need an MCS-certified installer and MCS-certified products. Homeowners in Northern Ireland should check official Energy Saving Trust advice.
Featured guide
All home energy funding guides
Home Energy Fund
How home energy funds work and four decision steps to find the right grant or loan for your nation, income, EPC rating and upgrade.
26 October 2026WHLS Editorial Team
Support Fund
Warm Homes: Local Grant explained for low-income households in England, plus the ECO4 end date, the extra £1.5bn and help in Scotland and Wales.
27 October 2026WHLS Editorial Team
Upgrade Fund
Funding for homeowners who do not qualify for low-income support: Boiler Upgrade Scheme grants, Warm Homes Loan limits and Home Energy Scotland.
27 October 2026WHLS Editorial Team
Frequently asked questions
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.
References
- GOV.UK – Notice of approved grant categories and values for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (opens in a new tab)
- Energy Saving Trust – Boiler Upgrade Scheme (opens in a new tab)
- MoneySavingExpert – Warm Homes Loan Scheme news (October 2026) (opens in a new tab)
- Financial Conduct Authority – Financial Services Register (opens in a new tab)
- MCS – Find an installer (opens in a new tab)
- Energy Saving Trust – Warm Homes: Local Grant guide (opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK – Extending the ECO4 end date: government response (opens in a new tab)
- Home Energy Scotland – Grants and loans (opens in a new tab)
- MCS – Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan (opens in a new tab)
- Energy Saving Trust – Welsh Government Nest scheme (opens in a new tab)