The Warm Homes: Local Grant is a government scheme that pays for free energy-saving improvements to your home — insulation, low-carbon heating and more — if you are a homeowner on a lower income in England. It runs alongside ECO4, which ends on 31 December 2026, and it is open to new applications. This guide explains who qualifies, what it covers, and how to apply.

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What is the Warm Homes: Local Grant?

The Warm Homes: Local Grant is part of the government’s Warm Homes Plan. It is funded with £500 million and runs from April 2025 to March 2028. It is delivered by local councils, which arrange and pay for the work — you do not pay for it yourself. Its purpose is to improve the least energy-efficient, privately owned homes lived in by lower-income households, cutting bills and making homes warmer.

Who qualifies?

The scheme is aimed at lower-income households in England living in less energy-efficient homes. As a general guide, you may be eligible if all of the following apply:

  • Your home is in England and is privately owned (owner-occupied, or privately rented with your landlord’s involvement).
  • Your property has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F or G — the less efficient bands.
  • Your household income is £36,000 a year or less, or you receive certain means-tested benefits, or you live in a targeted low-income postcode area.

You do not need to be on benefits to qualify — the income route (£36,000 or less) means many working households are eligible too.
Because delivery is run locally, exact criteria can vary slightly between councils, and not every council runs the scheme, so it is worth checking your own area.

What improvements does it cover?

A surveyor assesses your home and recommends a package of measures. Depending on what your property needs, these can include:

  • Wall insulation (cavity or solid wall), loft insulation and underfloor insulation
  • An air source heat pump to replace an inefficient heating system
  • Solar panels
  • Smart heating controls
  • Other energy-efficiency measures identified by the survey

The aim is to bring the home up to a better standard, so you may receive several measures as a combined package rather than a single upgrade.

How to apply

  1. Check and apply online via the official Warm Homes: Local Grant page on GOV.UK, which routes you to your local council’s scheme.
  2. Your local council usually contacts you within 10 working days to check your eligibility.
  3. A surveyor visits to assess your home and recommend the right improvements.
  4. The council arranges accredited installers and the work is carried out at no cost to you (private landlords may be asked to contribute towards some measures).

If you would rather not apply online, there is a government helpline on 0800 098 7950 (Monday to Friday 8am–6pm, Saturday 9am–12pm).

Worked example

Imagine you own a 1970s semi-detached house in England with an EPC rating of E, and your household income is £29,000 a year. You apply online and your council contacts you within a fortnight. A surveyor visits and recommends loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and an air source heat pump. Because you meet the income and EPC criteria, the council funds the whole package — you pay nothing, and your home is warmer and cheaper to heat.

Frequently asked questions

Is it really free?

Yes — for eligible owner-occupiers the improvements are fully funded by the scheme. For privately rented homes, the landlord may be asked to contribute towards some measures.

Do I have to be on benefits?

No. You can qualify through the income route (a household income of £36,000 a year or less) or by living in a targeted postcode, as well as through certain means-tested benefits.

What if my council isn’t running the scheme?

Not every local authority takes part. If yours does not, check the other options on our home energy grants overview — for heating specifically, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is open across England and Wales regardless of income.

Can I get this and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?

You would use one route or the other for a given measure — you cannot get two grants for the same heat pump. The Warm Homes: Local Grant can fund a heat pump and insulation together for eligible lower-income households, whereas the Boiler Upgrade Scheme funds the heat pump only and is not income-tested.

I’m in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland — can I apply?

No, this scheme is for England only. See the devolved schemes (Home Energy Scotland, the Welsh Nest scheme, and NI Housing Executive support) listed on our grants overview.

Sources

Last reviewed: September 2026. Eligibility rules are set locally and can change — confirm the current criteria for your area via GOV.UK before applying. Next step: see every grant you can still get on our home energy grants overview.