Energy efficiency
Green home grants in 2026: what's available and how to claim
6 min read · Updated May 2026
The UK government offers several schemes that can reduce or eliminate the cost of energy efficiency improvements. Some are means-tested; others are available to everyone. Taken together, they can turn a £15,000 retrofit project into a £5,000 one.
These schemes change regularly — the detail below reflects what's available in May 2026. Always verify current eligibility on GOV.UK before committing to any work.
Current schemes at a glance
Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
Closed March 2026GBIS closed on 31 March 2026. It has been replaced by the Warm Homes: Local Grant (see below), which delivers similar insulation and heating support through local authorities. If you were in the process of applying to GBIS, contact your local council about the Local Grant instead.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
UniversalWhat it covers
Air source heat pump, ground source heat pump, biomass boiler
Who qualifies
Any homeowner — no income limit
£7,500 off the cost of an air source heat pump (£7,500 for ground source too). No income limit — available to all homeowners in England and Wales. The grant is applied directly by the MCS-certified installer; you don't claim it separately. One requirement: your EPC must not have outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation — sort those first.
Grant value: £7,500 fixed.
ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation)
Means-testedWhat it covers
Broad range: insulation, heating, boilers, heat pumps
Who qualifies
Low-income households, certain benefits
Funded by energy suppliers (passed on to all bill payers). ECO4 targets low-income households and those in the worst-rated properties (E, F, G). Covers a wide range of measures including solid wall insulation, boiler replacement, and heat pumps. Apply through your energy supplier or a registered ECO4 installer.
Grant value: can be substantial — whole-house retrofits in some cases.
Warm Homes: Local Grant
Means-testedWhat it covers
Insulation, heating, solar, ventilation
Who qualifies
Low-income owner-occupiers, properties rated D–G
Replaced the previous Warm Homes: Upgrade scheme. Delivered through local authorities, so availability varies by area. Covers a wide range of measures for low-income households in inefficient homes. Check your local council's website for whether the scheme is running in your area.
VAT reduction on energy improvements
UniversalSince April 2022, VAT on the installation of energy-saving materials — including insulation, heat pumps, and solar panels — is 0% (reduced from 5%). This applies to all homeowners regardless of income and saves 5% across the board on installation costs. Not technically a grant, but worth factoring into cost comparisons.
How to apply
- Check your EPC first. Most schemes require a current EPC. Find yours on movegrid or the government register. If it's over 5 years old, you may need a new one.
- Use the Simple Energy Advice service. GOV.UK's Simple Energy Advice tool at simpleenergyadvice.org.uk asks a few questions about your property and income and tells you which schemes you're eligible for.
- For GBIS and ECO4: contact a registered installer who will assess your eligibility and handle the grant application. You don't apply directly to the government.
- For the Boiler Upgrade Scheme: choose an MCS-certified heat pump installer. They apply for the grant on your behalf and deduct it from the invoice.
- For local authority schemes: search your council's website for “home energy grant” or “warm homes.” Availability varies significantly by area.
What to watch out for
- Cold callers and doorstep installers — legitimate grant schemes don't cold-call. Anyone turning up unsolicited to offer “free insulation” should be treated with significant caution.
- Inflated quotes — some installers inflate prices to absorb the grant value. Get at least two quotes, including one from an installer you found independently.
- Scheme changes — UK energy grant schemes have changed frequently. Check GOV.UK for current status rather than relying on information from installers, who have an incentive to encourage you to act quickly.
The short version
- Great British Insulation Scheme covers loft and wall insulation for D–G rated homes — income-tested but thresholds are broad
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives £7,500 off a heat pump — no income limit, available to all homeowners
- ECO4 covers broader measures for low-income households in poorly rated properties
- All energy improvement installations now have 0% VAT — a 5% saving on top of any grant
- Use GOV.UK's Simple Energy Advice tool to check what you're eligible for before speaking to any installer
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