Last reviewed: 21 September 2026 | By Evolving Home editorial team
UK Home Energy Grants 2026: BUS, ECO4, Local Help and Warm Homes Loan
UK homeowners may qualify for grants, council-arranged work, or a government-supported loan towards some upgrades — but eligibility rules, installer requirements, lender products, and scheme availability change. The Warm Homes Loan Scheme is a loan, not a grant. Verify against GOV.UK, participating lenders, and your local authority before assuming any measure is fully funded.
Evidence and editorial review
What this guidance can—and cannot—tell you
By Evolving Home editorial team
Last reviewed 21 September 2026
Claim status
Scheme-status guide, source-checked against live government and administrator pages. BUS standard heat-pump amount is £7,500 (illustrative; eligibility not assessed). Warm Homes Loan Scheme is a loan, not a grant — official September 2026 caps are listed on this hub only. It is not an eligibility decision or a quote.
Limitations
- National, devolved and local schemes have different geographies, budgets and evidence rules.
- Illustrative pre-grant costs are editorial planning ranges and can differ materially from quotes.
- WHLS consumer products, rates and participating lenders are not listed here; the first lender window has closed.
What to verify
- Nation, postcode, household, tenure and EPC eligibility on the official route.
- Whether approval is required before work starts and which installer standard applies.
- The written customer contribution and scope before signing a contract.
- For WHLS: whether a participating lender is offering a product, and that the GOV.UK page is lender administration rather than a consumer apply form.
See the scoring methodology and evidence hierarchy before treating an indicative result as a decision input.
Check before you assume "free"
Some schemes fully fund work for eligible households; others contribute a fixed grant (for example BUS towards heat pumps) and you pay the remainder. The Warm Homes Loan Scheme is repaid through a lender product — it is not free money. Income, tenure, EPC rating, credit assessment, and property type all affect outcomes — always confirm in writing with the scheme administrator, lender, and the installer standard required for that route. BUS installers are MCS certified.
Warm Homes Loan Scheme (WHLS) — a loan, not a grant
WHLS is aimed at able-to-pay owner-occupiers and private landlords who can borrow for eligible low-carbon measures. DESNZ Scheme Rules (September 2026) describe an initial consumer launch phase from September 2026. It is not Warm Homes: Local Grant (a council-delivered grant route for some lower-income households in England), not ECO4, and not BUS.
Apply is lender-led. There is no single GOV.UK consumer apply form on this page, and we do not name live lenders or invent rates. GOV.UK lender administration (updated 17 September 2026) states that lender applications for the first tranche have closed, with a further participation window expected later in 2026. Consumer products, rates, and availability are still settling with participating lenders.
Official loan caps below are from the DESNZ Warm Homes Loan Scheme Rules (September 2026). Caps can change; they are not a quote, an approval, or an interest rate.
| Eligible measure | Official loan cap | Notes from Scheme Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Solar PV | £15,000 | — |
| Electrical storage battery | £15,000 | — |
| Air-to-water heat pump | £20,000 (prior to BUS deduction) | — |
| Air-to-air heat pump | £10,000 (prior to BUS deduction) | Official cap is listed, but Scheme Rules say air-to-air is not currently eligible because MCS certification is not yet available. |
| Ground-source heat pump | £35,000 (prior to BUS deduction) | — |
| Biomass boiler | £20,000 (prior to BUS deduction) | Rural properties only, where the applicant is in receipt of an applicable BUS or other devolved-nation scheme grant. |
| Heat network connection | £7,500 | — |
| Micro-renewable system | £20,000 | Domestic wind turbine and micro-hydroelectric systems only. |
Heat-pump and biomass caps are stated prior to any BUS deduction. Scheme Rules say that where an applicant in England or Wales is installing a heat pump and applying for BUS, they can apply for a WHLS loan from a participating lender to cover eligible installation costs above the BUS grant received. BUS eligibility is separate and is not assessed here. WHLS does not fund insulation as part of a heat-pump installation.
Major Energy Grant Schemes for 2026
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
Installer-led scheme in England and Wales. Standard air-to-water, ground-source and water-source categories are £7,500; residential air-to-air is £2,500; rural off-gas biomass is £5,000. Eligible off-gas oil/LPG properties may receive £9,000 for air-to-water or ground-source heat pumps (time-limited; confirm on GOV.UK).
ECO4 (energy company obligation)
Great Britain supplier obligation (England, Scotland, Wales). May fund insulation or heating upgrades for some income-qualifying / vulnerable households. Not automatic; amount is not fixed at a single national figure here.
Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) — ended
Historical scheme that funded loft and cavity insulation for some homes. Installations ended 31 March 2026; GOV.UK referral service closed. Do not plan current work as free via GBIS.
Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) — closed
HUG / HUG2 schemes are closed. Do not plan current work as funded via HUG. See Warm Homes: Local Grant for successor pathways where available.
Warm Homes: Local Grant
Live GOV.UK application route for eligible low-income households in privately owned EPC D–G homes in England. The local council surveys the home and chooses agreed measures if funding is available. This is not the Warm Homes Loan Scheme.
Other local authority programmes
Additional funding may exist from some councils — amounts not fixed nationally
Eligibility Criteria
Most energy grants have similar eligibility requirements. You may qualify if you meet one or more of these criteria:
How to Apply for Energy Grants
Step 1: Gather property context
Start with your EPC facts and an indicative Health Score for fabric and systems context. Evolving Home does not determine grant eligibility — verify any scheme rules on GOV.UK, with scheme administrators, or MCS/TrustMark installers before planning finances.
Step 2: Get a Quote
Contact approved installers who can assess your property and provide grant-funded quotes. Check the installer standard for the route. BUS uses MCS-certified installers; some fabric schemes use TrustMark-registered businesses. Verify the business on the relevant register rather than relying on a logo in a quote.
Step 3: Submit Application
Most grant schemes require installer-led applications. Your chosen contractor will handle the paperwork and ensure compliance with grant requirements. WHLS is different: the consumer journey is lender-led through participating lenders when products are available — not a GOV.UK consumer apply form, and not the same process as Warm Homes: Local Grant.
Step 4: Installation and Payment
For schemes that pay the installer after approval, your out-of-pocket cost depends on the specific scheme and quote. Do not assume £0 or a fixed net cost until eligibility and price are confirmed in writing. A WHLS loan is repaid on the lender's terms.
Popular improvements (pre-grant costs + funding routes to check)
Figures below are indicative install costs before any grant. Funding routes are conditional — eligibility is not assessed on this page. Net cost requires a verified quote after eligibility is confirmed externally. WHLS figures are official loan caps, not grants.
| Improvement | Indicative cost (pre-grant) | Funding route to check | Your cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loft Insulation | ~£300–£600 | ECO4 may help if eligible; GBIS ended 31 Mar 2026 | Quote required after verified eligibility |
| Cavity Wall Insulation | ~£500–£1,000 | ECO4 may help if eligible; GBIS ended 31 Mar 2026 | Quote required after verified eligibility |
| Air Source Heat Pump | Whole-system, pre-grant quote required | BUS (E&W): air-to-water £7,500 if eligible; air-to-air £2,500; biomass £5,000 (rural off-gas). Eligible off-gas oil/LPG properties may receive £9,000 for air-to-water or ground-source heat pumps (time-limited; confirm on GOV.UK). Installer voucher; not auto-applied. WHLS may sit alongside BUS (loan caps prior to BUS deduction) via a participating lender. | Full install cost until eligibility + quote confirmed |
| Solar PV Panels | ~£5,000–£8,000 | No automatic grant assumed; WHLS is a loan (official solar PV cap £15,000) not a grant. SEG/export is tariff income, not a grant | Quote required — pre-grant cost applies by default |
| Warm Homes Loan Scheme (WHLS) | Loan, not a grant — quote and lender credit checks required | Official DESNZ September 2026 caps on this hub only (solar PV / battery £15,000; heat-pump and biomass caps prior to BUS). Lender-led; first lender tranche closed; no consumer GOV.UK apply form. | Remaining cost and repayments depend on quote, credit assessment, and the lender product — rates not listed here |
| Double Glazing | ~£3,000–£7,000 | Usually no national grant; local programmes only if separately verified | Quote required — pre-grant cost applies by default |
Common Grant Mistakes to Avoid
- Not checking eligibility first: Apply for grants you don't qualify for
- Treating WHLS as a grant: It is a loan repaid to a lender, distinct from Warm Homes: Local Grant, ECO4 and BUS
- Using the wrong installer route: BUS uses an MCS-certified installer; other schemes set their own requirements
- Rushing installations: Ensure proper surveys and quotes before committing
- Missing deadlines: Some grants have limited funding and close early
- Assuming schemes can be combined: Confirm subsidy, duplication and contribution rules in writing. BUS + WHLS stacking for heat pumps is described in Scheme Rules; it is not automatic
Local Authority Grants
In England, the live GOV.UK Warm Homes: Local Grant checker covers privately owned EPC D–G homes where household and area criteria are met. A council survey and available local funding are still required. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use different support routes; follow the nation links from GOV.UK rather than assuming an English scheme applies across the UK.
Near-term scheme status (as of 21 September 2026)
Treat national schemes as time-bounded and eligibility-limited. Confirm current terms on GOV.UK before planning finances. Scheme status last checked 21 September 2026:
- Warm Homes Loan Scheme: Loan, not a grant. Consumer launch window from September 2026 per DESNZ Scheme Rules. Lender-led; first lender participation window closed. Official measure caps (including heat-pump caps prior to BUS deduction) are listed on this hub. Rates and live consumer products are not listed here.
- ECO4 orderly close: Government has set an ECO4 end-date path toward 31 December 2026 for an orderly close of the obligation period. This is not an expansion of eligibility or a new national “more households get free insulation” promise — remaining delivery serves existing targets and remediation. Verify status on GOV.UK.
- BUS: Live installer-voucher route in England & Wales. Standard air-to-water and ground-source categories are £7,500; residential air-to-air is £2,500; rural off-gas biomass is £5,000. Eligible off-gas oil/LPG properties may receive £9,000 for air-to-water or ground-source heat pumps (time-limited; confirm on GOV.UK). Eligibility is not automatic — confirm current funding on GOV.UK. May sit alongside WHLS for heat pumps where both routes apply.
- GBIS: Installations ended 31 March 2026 — historical only.
- HUG / Domestic RHI: Home Upgrade Grant schemes are closed. Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) closed to new applicants on 31 March 2022. Not a current application route.
- Proposed EPC / sales rules: Policy timelines for mandatory improvements remain subject to final implementation — check official guidance, not social media.
Scheme status last checked 21 September 2026. Live routes: BUS (England & Wales); ECO4 (Great Britain, to end-2026); Warm Homes: Local Grant (England, where councils still open); Warm Homes Loan Scheme (loan, not a grant — lender-led; consumer products settling). All are geography- and eligibility-dependent. Evolving Home does not self-certify grant eligibility.
See Which Upgrades Fit Your Home First
Run an indicative Health Score to understand your property context, then cross-check grant routes on GOV.UK and with installers. We do not guarantee eligibility or funding outcomes.
Check Your Home ScoreRelated reading
Sheffield Climate Investment is a council climate bond for local projects, including solar on schools. It is not a household grant and it is not the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. How the bond and the school roofs fit together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Warm Homes Loan Scheme (WHLS)?
A government-supported loan, not a grant, for able-to-pay owner-occupiers and private landlords financing eligible low-carbon measures. DESNZ Scheme Rules (September 2026) describe an initial consumer launch from September 2026. It is distinct from Warm Homes: Local Grant, ECO4, and BUS. Apply is lender-led: the first lender participation window has closed, there is no single GOV.UK consumer apply form, and this page does not name live lenders or invent rates.
Can the Warm Homes Loan Scheme be used with BUS?
Scheme Rules say WHLS is intended to complement BUS (and the Home Energy Scotland Scheme). For example, an applicant in England or Wales installing a heat pump and applying for BUS can apply for a WHLS loan from a participating lender to cover eligible installation costs above the BUS grant received. Heat-pump and biomass loan caps are stated prior to BUS deduction. BUS eligibility is separate and is not assessed here — stacking is not automatic.
What are the official Warm Homes Loan Scheme caps?
DESNZ Scheme Rules (September 2026) list loan caps of £15,000 for solar PV and for electrical storage batteries; £20,000 for air-to-water heat pumps (prior to BUS); £10,000 for air-to-air heat pumps (prior to BUS; Scheme Rules currently say air-to-air is not eligible until MCS certification exists); £35,000 for ground-source heat pumps (prior to BUS); £20,000 for biomass boilers (prior to BUS); £7,500 for heat-network connections; and £20,000 for micro-renewable systems. Caps are not a quote or an interest rate. This hub is the place we publish those official figures.
Do I have to pay anything for grant-funded work?
Not always free. ECO4 may fully fund some measures for some eligible households (income, tenure, and property criteria apply), but many households receive partial support or none — verify with scheme administrators. For BUS, if you are eligible the voucher typically covers part of a heat-pump install; you still pay any remaining cost and related upgrades. We do not determine eligibility or final customer contribution here.
How long does the application process take?
There is no reliable cross-scheme approval time. GOV.UK says a council will usually contact a Warm Homes: Local Grant applicant within 10 working days for more information and a survey; that is not an installation or funding deadline. Ask the relevant administrator for the current evidence, approval and delivery timetable.
Can landlords claim energy grants?
Some routes include private rented homes, including BUS and Warm Homes: Local Grant, but property, household, landlord-contribution and consent rules differ. Scheme inclusion does not mean a particular landlord or property qualifies.
What if my property is leasehold?
Check the scheme's ownership rules, the lease, freeholder consent, planning and who owns communal fabric or heating before applying. Do not instruct external or communal work until the required permissions and funding approval are documented.
Related guides
Heat Pump Cost UK 2026
Pre-grant UK install ranges, BUS standard category £7,500 (illustrative; eligibility not assessed), tariff and running-cost checks. Confirm on GOV.UK / MCS. Not a quote or BUS decision.
Home Insulation Guide
Loft, cavity, solid-wall, and floor insulation compared.
Solar Panels UK
UK solar costs, export assumptions, and suitability checks.
Improve Your EPC Rating
Evidence-led upgrade sequencing, rating limits, and facts to verify before spending.