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 is one of the schemes that has taken over from ECO4, and unlike
ECO4 it is open to new applications. This guide explains who
qualifies, what it covers, and how to apply.

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.