Free Home Battery Scheme FAQs

Yes. For eligible households, the battery is supplied and installed through the scheme at no cost. The battery remains owned by the scheme owner, who is responsible for maintaining, servicing, insuring and, where required, replacing it.

A programme that installs smart, connected home batteries in private homes at no cost to eligible households. Participating households could save up to £500 per year on their electricity bills, subject to eligibility and scheme terms.

How the scheme works

The programme is intended to create benefits at both household and electricity-system level. By deploying connected energy storage into homes, it aims to help reduce household energy costs, support the electricity grid and contribute towards greater energy security.

At the moment the scheme is open to homeowners whose home has solar panels, or is getting them through any funding scheme or finance. Renters and homes without solar can apply to join the waiting list. Every home also needs a survey to confirm it is technically suitable.

Who can get a free home battery

For now, yes. The scheme is currently open to homeowners only. If you rent, privately or in social housing, you can still apply and join the waiting list for when the scheme opens more widely. Your landlord’s permission would be needed before any installation.

Batteries in rented homes

For now, yes. The scheme currently fits batteries alongside solar panels. If you don’t have solar, you can apply and ask to discuss solar funding or finance, or join the waiting list for battery-only installations.

Batteries without solar panels

Yes. The solar panels don’t have to come through the scheme. If you’re having solar fitted through another funding scheme or with finance, such as the Warm Homes Plan or a solar panels grant, the battery can be added to that installation.

Batteries and solar funding

Yes. If you don’t have one, ask your energy supplier: they will install a smart meter for free. You need to arrange this with your supplier yourself.

Yes — tell us in your application. How a battery would work alongside your existing system is considered during the survey.

If the survey finds your property isn’t suitable, the installation won’t go ahead. You won’t have paid anything to apply or for the survey.

A home battery stores electricity so it can be used later. Smart controls decide when it charges and discharges — typically charging when demand is lower and releasing energy when demand is higher.

How home batteries work

Home batteries are usually a single sealed unit, often wall-mounted. Their storage capacity is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh).

Home batteries are commonly installed in places such as a garage, on an outside wall or in a utility space. The right location for your home is agreed at the survey.

Garages are a common location for home batteries. Whether your garage is suitable is assessed at the survey.

The battery is a connected battery, managed as part of the programme alongside other homes. A connection lets it receive instructions about when to charge and discharge.

A surveyor checks whether your property and the proposed battery location are suitable, looking at the electrical installation, connectivity, access, safety considerations and what the installation would involve.

What to expect at your survey

An approved installer completes the battery installation.

Connecting equipment to your electrical installation usually needs the power to be turned off for part of the work.

Participating households could save up to £500 per year on their electricity bills, subject to eligibility and scheme terms.

Can a battery reduce bills?

No. The amount is “up to” £500 per year and depends on eligibility and the scheme terms, so actual savings vary with tariff, electricity use and solar generation.

The battery remains owned by the scheme owner. It does not belong to the homeowner simply because it is installed at their property.

Who owns and maintains the battery

The scheme owner is responsible for maintaining and servicing the battery.

The scheme owner is responsible for repairs and for replacing the battery after 10 years.

The scheme owner is responsible for insuring the battery.

The scheme owner is responsible for the appropriate removal, safe disposal and/or recycling of the battery when required.

The scheme owner is responsible for maintaining and servicing the battery.

The household agreement can be transferred to the new owner. The scheme owner keeps owning the battery and stays responsible for it.

Start the short online application on this page. You’ll answer a few questions about your home, your energy set-up and where a battery might go, give your contact details and choose a preferred survey date.