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InstantCost

UK Government Scheme · England

Warm Homes Plan 2026

Council-run support for insulation and low-carbon heating in eligible homes. Funding is paid towards the work rather than given as cash.

Last checked: August 2026

InstantCost is not affiliated with, endorsed by or acting on behalf of HM Government, Ofgem or DESNZ. Final eligibility is decided by a registered installer or your local authority.

What is the Warm Homes Plan?

The Warm Homes Plan is the umbrella for the government's home energy funding in England. Underneath it sit the Warm Homes Local Grant, run by councils, the Warm Homes Social Housing Fund, run by social landlords, and supplier-funded schemes such as ECO4.

It pays for physical work: loft and wall insulation, draught-proofing, heating controls, solar panels and heat pumps, fitted by accredited contractors. The grant goes to the installer, so most households pay nothing out of pocket.

This matters more from 2027. ECO4 closes on 31 December 2026 with no successor supplier obligation, so the Warm Homes Local Grant becomes the main route for low-income households.

Paying privately instead? Price the work with the heat pump cost calculator or the solar panel cost calculator.

Who qualifies

Income

Households on means-tested benefits, or with a gross household income broadly under £36,000. Some councils apply their own local flexibility rules.

Property type

Owner-occupied, privately rented (with landlord consent) or social housing. Off-gas-grid and hard-to-treat homes are prioritised.

EPC rating

Homes rated D to G on their Energy Performance Certificate. Properties already rated A–C are generally out of scope.

How much funding is available

MeasureTypical funded value
Loft insulation£400 – £1,200
Cavity wall insulation£600 – £2,000
Solid wall insulation£6,000 – £12,000
Air source heat pump£7,500 (via Boiler Upgrade Scheme)
Solar PV£4,000 – £7,000
Full package cap (per home)Commonly up to £15,000

Indicative values based on published scheme guidance. Your council or installer confirms the exact contribution after a survey.

Warm Homes Plan eligibility checker

Answer a few questions for an initial eligibility result.

Step 1 of 5 · Benefits or income20%

Benefits or income

InstantCost is not affiliated with, endorsed by or acting on behalf of HM Government, Ofgem or DESNZ. Final eligibility is decided by a registered installer or your local authority.

How to apply

  1. Check your EPC rating on the government's EPC register (free).
  2. Find your local authority's Warm Homes Local Grant page, or contact them directly.
  3. Submit proof of income or benefits and property details.
  4. A retrofit assessor surveys the home and recommends measures.
  5. Accredited installers carry out the work — the grant is paid to them, not to you.
Apply via the official gov.uk energy efficiency service

Frequently asked questions

The Warm Homes Plan is the UK government's programme to upgrade the energy efficiency of homes across England, funding measures such as insulation, solar panels, heat pumps and low-carbon heating for households in or at risk of fuel poverty.

Support is targeted at low-income households — typically those on means-tested benefits or with a household income under roughly £36,000 — living in a property with an EPC rating of D to G. Both owner-occupiers and, through the Local Grant and Social Housing Fund, private and social tenants can be covered.

Funding is delivered per property rather than as a cash payment. Depending on the measures your home needs, packages commonly range from around £5,000 up to £15,000 or more where insulation and low-carbon heating are installed together.

Yes. Private tenants can be supported where the landlord consents to the work, and social housing tenants are covered through the Warm Homes Social Housing Fund awarded to their landlord.

You apply through your local authority or a delivery partner rather than centrally. Start on the gov.uk energy efficiency page, or use the Warm Homes Local Grant checker for your council area. Never pay a fee to apply.