This page is for homeowners and landlords who want to know which home energy schemes they qualify for. It sets out the main eligibility tests and compares the schemes side by side. Each scheme uses a different mix of nation, income, EPC rating and tenure rules. Read our home energy fund guide for the wider overview of how funds work.
For the broader overview, read our guide: Home Energy Fund.
Independent guide. We are not a lender or a government body. Always check current scheme rules with the official provider.
The four tests most schemes use
Most schemes check the same four things about you and your home. Your answers to these tests narrow your options quickly. Work through them in order, because the first test rules out whole schemes. Keep your answers to hand when you use any official checker.
- Nation. Schemes differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
- Income or benefits. Low-income schemes set a household income limit or accept a means-tested benefit.
- EPC rating. Some schemes only fund homes with a lower energy rating.
- Tenure. Schemes set rules for owner-occupiers, private landlords and tenants.
Eligibility by scheme
The table compares the published tests for each scheme. A dash means the scheme has no test of that type, or the rule is not yet published. Rules change, so confirm each point with the official provider before you apply.
| Scheme | Nation | Income or benefit test | EPC test | Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warm Homes: Local Grant | England | Gross household income £36,000 or less, a means-tested benefit, or a lowest-income-decile area | D to G | Owner-occupied or privately rented |
| ECO4 (ends 31 December 2026) | England | Low-income households | Check with your supplier | Check with your supplier |
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme | England and Wales | None | – | Replacing fossil fuel heating; MCS installer |
| Warm Homes Loan Scheme | England and Wales | Not yet published | Not yet published | Not yet published |
| Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan | Scotland | None | – | Homeowners in Scotland |
| Nest | Wales | See the Welsh Government scheme | See scheme | See scheme |
How to compare the funds you qualify for
Passing the tests for more than one scheme gives you a choice. Compare grants first, because you do not repay them. Then look at loans to cover any gap. Some routes combine, such as a Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant alongside a Warm Homes Loan.
Look at what each scheme funds as well as who it funds. Warm Homes: Local Grant covers solar and battery up to £15,000 and heating up to £15,000. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme covers heat pumps and biomass boilers only. Home Energy Scotland covers heat pumps and biomass with a grant of up to £7,500.
Checklist
- I know which nation's schemes apply to my home.
- I know my gross household income and any benefits I receive.
- I have found my home's EPC rating.
- I know whether I own, rent or let the property.
- I have checked each rule with the official provider.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be on benefits to get help?
Not always. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme and Home Energy Scotland have no benefits requirement. Warm Homes: Local Grant accepts an income test instead of benefits.
My home is rated C. Can I still get a grant?
Warm Homes: Local Grant needs a rating of D to G. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme has no EPC rating band in our table, so check its current rules.
Can I apply as a landlord?
Warm Homes: Local Grant covers privately rented homes. Landlords get full funding for the first property and 50% for further properties.
Can I qualify for more than one scheme?
Yes. Many households pass the tests for a grant and a loan. You can often combine them, but check each scheme's rules.
Where do I check my own eligibility?
Use the official provider for each scheme. In England, use GOV.UK or contact your council about Warm Homes: Local Grant.
So you can see which schemes fit your home before you spend time on an application.
WHLS Editorial Team
Our editorial team writes independent, plain-English guides on home energy finance. We review guides when scheme rules change.
References
- 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)
- Energy Saving Trust – Boiler Upgrade Scheme (opens in a new tab)
- MCS – Find an installer (opens in a new tab)
