This guide is for UK homeowners who want to know which funding fits their home. A home energy fund is any scheme that pays for, or helps you borrow for, an energy upgrade. Some are grants, some are loans and some combine both. We explain how they differ and give you four steps to narrow the list.
We use published sources only, listed at the end of this page. We do not quote prices or savings. Scheme rules change, so check each one with its official provider before you apply.
Independent guide. We are not a lender or a government body. Always check current scheme rules with the official provider.
How home energy funds work
A grant pays part or all of the cost, and you do not repay it. Local authorities, energy companies or government bodies run most grants. A loan spreads the cost, and you repay it with any interest. The Warm Homes Loan Scheme is a government-backed loan for England and Wales.
Most schemes pay for specific measures only. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme covers heat pumps and biomass boilers. Warm Homes: Local Grant covers insulation, glazing, solar, batteries and low-carbon heating. Funding usually goes to the installer, not to you, so the installer must meet the scheme's rules.
| 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 |
Four steps to find the right fund
Work through these steps in order. Each step removes schemes that do not apply to you. Note the schemes that remain after each step. Then check those schemes on their official websites.
- Nation. Your address decides which schemes exist for you. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland each have different routes.
- Income and benefits. Check whether your gross household income is £36,000 or less, or whether you receive a means-tested benefit such as Universal Credit or Housing Benefit. If so, low-income grants come first.
- EPC rating. Find your home's Energy Performance Certificate. Warm Homes: Local Grant needs a rating of D to G.
- Measure. Decide which upgrade you want. Then match it to the schemes that fund that measure.
Homeowners in Scotland should check Home Energy Scotland. Homeowners in Wales should also check the Welsh Government's Nest scheme. Homeowners in Northern Ireland should check official Energy Saving Trust advice.
Combining grants and loans
A grant lowers the price before you borrow. You can combine the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant with the Warm Homes Loan Scheme, for example. A smaller loan lowers your total cost of credit. Home Energy Scotland offers a grant with an optional interest-free loan on top.
The Warm Homes Loan Scheme sets a maximum loan for each measure. 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.
| Measure | Maximum loan |
|---|---|
| Solar panels | £15,000 |
| Battery storage | £15,000 |
| Air-to-water heat pump | £20,000 |
| Air-to-air heat pump | £10,000 |
| Ground source heat pump | £35,000 |
| Biomass boiler | £20,000 |
| Heat network connection | £7,500 |
| Micro-renewables such as domestic wind | £20,000 |
Checklist
- Nation confirmed and matching schemes listed
- Household income and benefits checked against low-income routes
- EPC rating found
- Upgrade matched to schemes that fund it
- Each scheme checked on its official website
- Two or three MCS-certified quotes compared
Related guides
- Home Energy Funding Eligibility: Who Qualifies and How to Compare FundsWho qualifies for the main GB home energy schemes, with a side-by-side table of nation, income, EPC and tenure tests.
- How to Apply for Home Energy Funding: Step by StepA step-by-step route from checking eligibility to getting a written offer and booking your installation.
- Home Energy Funding Application Mistakes and How to Fix ThemCommon reasons home energy applications stall or fail, and how to fix each one before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as a home energy fund?
Any grant or loan that pays for, or helps you borrow for, an energy upgrade. Examples include Warm Homes: Local Grant and the Warm Homes Loan Scheme.
How do I find my EPC rating?
Search for your address on the GOV.UK EPC register. Ask a domestic energy assessor if your home has no certificate.
Does the money come to me?
Usually not. Most schemes pay the installer or take the grant off your bill.
Can I use more than one scheme?
Often, yes. You can combine the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant with the Warm Homes Loan Scheme, for example.
Which schemes cover solar panels?
Warm Homes: Local Grant can fund solar for eligible low-income homes in England. The Warm Homes Loan Scheme has a £15,000 solar maximum.
Where do I start if I live in Scotland?
Start with Home Energy Scotland. It runs grants and loans for Scottish homeowners.
So you can narrow every scheme down to the few that fit your home and apply with confidence.
WHLS Editorial Team
Our editorial team writes independent, plain-English guides on home energy finance. We review guides when scheme rules change.
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)
