If you’re struggling with high energy bills and living in a cold, draughty home, the Warm Homes Plan could be your lifeline. This UK government initiative is bringing £15 billion in public investment (the biggest home upgrade plan in British history) to help up to 5 million households make their homes warmer, healthier, and more affordable to run.
What is the Warm Homes Plan?
The Warm Homes Plan is a £15 billion government investment described as “the biggest public investment in home upgrades in British history” designed to lift up to 1 million families out of fuel poverty by 2030.
Just announced in January 2026, this plan recognises that homes need comprehensive support and includes multiple funding streams to support different types of households.
The £15 billion fund is split across five key areas:
- £5 billion for free installations (solar, batteries, insulation, heat pumps) for low-income households
- £2 billion for low/zero-interest loans for all households
- £2.7 billion to extend the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to 2029/30 (£7,500 grants for heat pumps)
- £2.7 billion Social Housing Fund for upgrades to social housing
- £2.6 billion Warm Homes Fund for innovative financing (like green mortgages)
The goal? Triple the number of homes with solar panels by 2030 and create 180,000 new jobs.
Am I eligible for a grant?
You might qualify if you tick these boxes:
Property requirements
- Your home has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating between D and G (the least efficient homes)
- You're a homeowner or private tenant in England.
- Your property is an existing dwelling (not new build)
- All fuel types qualify - whether you're on or off the gas grid
Income requirements
You need to meet at least ONE of these:
- Annual household income under £36,000 (before tax, including all adults' income from employment, pensions, rental income, and investments - you can exclude PIP, DLA, and carers allowance)
- Receiving means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, JSA, ESA, or Income Support
- Living in a highly deprived area (Income Deciles 1-2 on the Index of Multiple Deprivation)
- Private tenants: You'll need your landlord's written agreement to apply
- Landlords: You can apply for tenants' properties - first property is fully funded, additional properties require 50% contribution
- Social housing tenants: This scheme isn't for you, but speak to your housing provider about their dedicated funding
What support is available?
The grant covers two types of improvements, with separate funding pots:
Energy performance measures (up to £15,000)
- Solar panels and battery storage - up to the full average cost of £9,000-£12,000
- Insulation - Loft, cavity wall, solid wall, floor insulation
- Heat pumps - Air or ground source heating systems
- Draught-proofing and ventilation improvements
For social housing residents, this could mean entire streets upgraded at the same time.
For all households (£2 billion loan fund)
Government-backed low or zero-interest loans to cover the cost of:
1. Solar panels and batteries
2. Heat Pumps
3. Energy efficiency improvements
Details on how to apply for these loans will be announced later this year.
Universal Heat Pump Grant (£2.7 billion fund)
£7,500 grants available to ALL households for heat pump installations, extended through 2029/30. This now includes a first-ever offer for air-to-air heat pumps that can also cool homes in summer.
How do I apply?
There are three ways to apply, depending on what works best for you:
For Low-Income Households (Free Installations) – Apply through your local authority for the Warm Homes: Local Grant:
Option 1: Online application (Fastest)
Visit Gov.uk → Use the eligibility checker → Enter your postcode and answer a few questions.
If eligible, submit your application directly to your local authority
Option 2: Contact your energy supplier or apply through approved installers/suppliers who then secure funding with the council on your behalf
Option 3: Call the helpline
Ring 0800 098 7950 (Monday to Friday, 8 A.M.-6 P.M., excluding bank holidays)
For Heat Pump Grants (£7,500): Apply through the existing Boiler Upgrade Scheme, now extended to 2029/30. Details available at Gov.uk Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
For low/ zero-interest loans: Details on the loan application process will be announced by the government “later this year” (2026).
Note: Before you apply, check your EPC rating on Gov.uk’s EPC register. If your certificate has expired or you don’t have one, you‘ll need to get a new assessment (your landlord should arrange this if you rent).
What happens next?
Once you’ve applied, here’s the typical journey:
Step 1: Application review – Your local authority reviews your details (usually within 10 working days)
Step 2: Eligibility confirmation – They’ll contact you to confirm eligibility and request any additional documentation
Step 3: Home survey – A free whole-house retrofit assessment to determine which measures suit your property
Step 4: Measure design – Technical surveys for each recommended upgrade
Step 5: Installation – TrustMark accredited installers complete the work (organised and paid for by your local authority)
Step 6: Quality checks – Post-installation inspections and certification
The process typically involves at least 5 home visits, though this varies depending on the measures being installed.
Important things to know
Timeline and availability
- Plan announced: January 2026
- Warm Homes: Local Grant: Currently active (launched April 2025, runs to March 2028)
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme extension: Now runs through 2029/30
- Loan scheme details: To be announced later in 2026
- Goal: Upgrade up to 5 million homes by 2030
- Current status: Some local authority areas have paused Warm Homes: Local Grant applications due to high demand (e.g., London until Spring 2026)
Costs and contributions
- Low-income households: Fully funded installations at no cost (up to avg £9,000-£12,000 for solar)
- All households: Access to £7,500 heat pump grants and low/zero-interest loans
- Landlords: New rules will require upgrades; support available but may require contributions for multiple properties
- Social housing: Dedicated £2.7 billion fund; could see entire streets upgraded simultaneously
What's NOT Covered
- New-build or self-build homes not previously occupied
- Social housing (separate funding available)
- Commercial properties
Will this really save me any money?
Energy-saving improvements reduce the amount of energy needed to heat your home. The measures installed are chosen specifically to maximise energy bill savings for your property.
However, the actual savings on your bills will depend on energy prices at the time. What’s certain is that your home will be warmer, more comfortable, and cheaper to heat than it was before – and you’ll be contributing to tackling climate change.
Many households report savings of hundreds of pounds per year, alongside improved comfort and health benefits from living in a warmer, drier home.
Why this matters
The UK has some of the leakiest homes in Western Europe, wasting more energy through poor insulation than comparable countries. This £15 billion investment represents a fundamental shift in how we approach home energy efficiency.
This isn’t just about comfort – fuel poverty affects 1.6 million children living in private accommodation, suffering from cold, damp, or mould. Cold homes contribute to respiratory problems, cardiovascular issues, and mental health challenges.
The government estimates this plan will:
- Lift up to 1 million families out of fuel poverty by 2030
- Create 180,000 additional jobs
- Triple the number of homes with solar panels by 2030
- Unlock up to £38 billion total investment when combined with private sector contributions
- Reduce our dependence on volatile fossil fuel markets
- Cut household carbon emissions significantly
By upgrading your home’s energy efficiency, you’re not just cutting bills. You’re creating a healthier living environment, supporting green jobs, and contributing to the UK’s net-zero goals.
What if I'm not eligible for this scheme?
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme - £7,500 grants for heat pump installations
- Warm Home Discount - £150 annual rebate on energy bills (reopens October 2026)
Take action today!
Don’t let another winter pass in a cold, expensive-to-heat home. With £15 billion allocated and a goal to upgrade 5 million homes by 2030, now is the time to check your eligibility and apply.
Next steps:
- Check which part of the Warm Homes Plan you're eligible for
- Find your home's EPC rating
- Calculate your household income if applying for the free installations
- Apply through your local authority for the Warm Homes: Local Grant
- Watch for loan scheme details coming later in 2026
- Check eligibility for the £7,500 heat pump grant
- Speak to neighbours or community groups who might also benefit
This is one of the most significant investments in home energy efficiency the UK has seen. Whether you’re an owner-occupier struggling with fuel poverty, a landlord wanting to improve your tenants’ living conditions, or a private tenant in a cold rental property, the Warm Homes Plan could transform your home and your life.
For more information and to apply:
- Gov.uk Warm Homes page: www.gov.uk/apply-warm-homes-local-grant
- Helpline: 0800 098 7950
- Contact your local authority directly
Need advice on reducing energy use right now? Visit the Energy Saving Trust website for practical tips while you wait for your application to be processed.
This article is based on information available in January 2026. Scheme details may be updated – always check with your local authority for the most current information.
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