Warm Homes Local Grant: Who's Eligible and How to Apply in 2026
The Warm Homes Local Grant is a £500 million government-funded scheme providing free insulation, heat pumps, and solar panels to eligible households in England. Delivered through local councils, it requires a household income of £36,000 or less (with exceptions for eligible postcodes and benefit recipients). The scheme runs from 2025 to 2028.
The Warm Homes: Local Grant is one of the most significant energy efficiency programmes currently available to homeowners in England. Backed by £500 million in government funding, it provides free home energy upgrades — including insulation, heat pumps, and solar panels — to eligible low-income households.
This guide covers everything you need to know: who qualifies, what improvements are available, how to apply, and which councils are participating.
Key Facts
- £500 million in government funding over three years (2025–2028)
- Free upgrades for eligible owner-occupiers — no cost to the homeowner
- Income threshold: Household income of £36,000 or less (with exceptions)
- Covers: Insulation, air source heat pumps, solar panels, and smart heating controls
- England only — delivered through local councils
- EPC D, E, F, or G properties qualify
What Is the Warm Homes: Local Grant?
The Warm Homes: Local Grant is a government-funded scheme delivered through local councils in England. It was announced as part of the Autumn Budget 2024, with £500 million committed across three years (2025–2028).
The scheme sits within the broader Warm Homes Plan, the government's flagship programme to cut energy bills and upgrade Britain's housing stock. For a full breakdown of all schemes under the Warm Homes Plan, see our complete guide to the Warm Homes Plan 2026.
Unlike previous schemes such as ECO4 (which has been extended to December 2026), the Warm Homes: Local Grant is funded directly by government and administered by local authorities.
Source: Warm Homes: Local Grant — budget allocation (gov.uk)
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility is based on three factors: where your home is, what type of property it is, and your household income.
Property Requirements
Your home must:
- Be in England — The scheme does not cover Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland. If you're in Wales, see the Nest Wales scheme instead
- Be privately owned — Either owner-occupied or privately rented (social housing is not included)
- Have an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G — You can check your EPC online
Income Requirements
Your household income must usually be £36,000 a year or less.
However, you may still qualify even if your household income is above £36,000 if either:
- You live in an eligible postcode area — The scheme uses the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) Income Deciles 1–2
- Someone in your household receives certain benefits — These serve as a proxy for low income
Three Eligibility Pathways
- Pathway 1 — Eligible postcode: Your home is in an IMD Income Decile 1–2 postcode
- Pathway 2 — Low-income proxy: Someone in your household receives qualifying benefits
- Pathway 3 — Income threshold: Your household income is £36,000 or less
Source: Apply for the Warm Homes: Local Grant (gov.uk)
Not sure if you qualify? Use our free eligibility checker to find out in under 2 minutes.
What Improvements Are Covered?
If you're eligible and your local council has funding available, they will arrange a home survey. Based on the survey, they may recommend and install:
- Wall insulation — Cavity wall, solid wall (internal or external)
- Loft insulation — Including top-ups to existing insulation
- Underfloor insulation
- Air source heat pumps — To replace gas or oil boilers where suitable
- Smart heating controls — Thermostats and programmable systems
- Solar panels — Photovoltaic (PV) systems to generate electricity
How Much Does It Cost?
Nothing. If you're an eligible owner-occupier on a low income, you will not need to pay for the improvements. Your local council organises and funds the work.
If you are a private tenant, the work is still free for you, but your landlord may be required to contribute towards the cost of certain measures.
How to Apply
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
You can check whether you qualify using the government's official online service:
Alternatively, use our eligibility checker for a quick indication.
Step 2: Submit Your Application
The application is straightforward. You'll answer questions about:
- Where your property is located
- Whether you own or rent
- Your household income or benefits
- Your property's EPC rating (if you know it)
Step 3: Wait for Your Council to Respond
Your local council will usually contact you within 10 working days to gather more information, arrange a home energy survey, and discuss suitable improvements.
Step 4: Home Survey and Installation
A qualified surveyor will visit your property to assess which measures would have the greatest impact. Once agreed, the council will arrange for TrustMark-registered installers to carry out the work.
Need Help Applying?
Warm Homes: Local Grant helpline: 0800 098 7950
- Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (except bank holidays)
- Saturday, 9am to 12pm
Which Councils Are Participating?
All eligible local authorities in England that submitted an Expression of Interest by 1 December 2024 have been allocated funding. Delivery runs from 2025 to 2028, though not all councils will begin installations at the same time.
Local authorities within the West Midlands Combined Authority (including Wolverhampton and Birmingham) and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (including Manchester) receive their funding through the Integrated Settlement as part of devolution, rather than directly through the Warm Homes: Local Grant. Some councils like Hull City Council have already secured £3.4 million in WHLG funding and are actively delivering installations.
The quickest way to check is to apply through the gov.uk service — it will route your application to the correct local authority based on your postcode.
How the Warm Homes: Local Grant Compares to Other Schemes
| Feature | Warm Homes: Local Grant | ECO4 | Boiler Upgrade Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funding source | Government grant via councils | Energy supplier obligation | Government grant via Ofgem |
| Available in | England only | Great Britain | England and Wales |
| Income tested | Yes (£36,000 threshold) | Yes (benefits-based) | No |
| Cost to homeowner | Free | Free | Contribution required (grant up to £7,500) |
| Covers insulation | Yes | Yes | No |
| Covers heat pumps | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Covers solar panels | Yes | No | No |
| Ends | 2028 | 31 December 2026 | Ongoing |
For a detailed comparison, visit our scheme comparison page. You may also want to read about what happened when GBIS ended.
Warm Homes: Local Grant and Private Renters
If you're a private tenant, you can still benefit from the scheme. However:
- Your landlord must agree to the improvements being made
- Your landlord may need to contribute towards the cost of some measures
- You can apply directly — you don't need your landlord to apply on your behalf
Timeline and Funding
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| September 2024 | Scheme announced |
| November 2024 | £500 million budget allocation confirmed |
| December 2024 | Expression of Interest deadline for councils |
| March 2025 | Funding allocations published |
| 2025 onwards | Delivery begins across England |
| 2028 | Current funding period ends |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Warm Homes: Local Grant?
The Warm Homes: Local Grant is a government-funded scheme that provides free energy efficiency upgrades to eligible low-income households in England. It is delivered through local councils and funded with £500 million over three years (2025–2028). The scheme is part of the broader Warm Homes Plan.
Who is eligible for the Warm Homes: Local Grant?
You may be eligible if your home is in England, privately owned (or privately rented), has an EPC rating of D to G, and your household income is £36,000 or less. You may also qualify if you live in an eligible postcode area or receive certain benefits.
What improvements can I get?
The scheme covers wall insulation, loft insulation, underfloor insulation, air source heat pumps, smart heating controls, and solar panels. Measures are tailored to each home based on a survey.
Do I have to pay anything?
No. If you're an eligible owner-occupier, the improvements are fully funded at no cost to you. Private landlords may need to contribute towards certain measures.
How do I apply?
Apply online at gov.uk/apply-warm-homes-local-grant or call the helpline on 0800 098 7950 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm; Saturday, 9am to 12pm).
Is this the same as the ECO scheme?
No. The ECO4 scheme is a separate programme funded by energy suppliers, which has been extended to December 2026. The Warm Homes: Local Grant is funded directly by the government and delivered by local councils. You may be eligible for both.
Can I get the grant if I'm a tenant?
Yes, private tenants can apply. However, your landlord must agree to the improvements and may need to contribute towards costs.
How long does the process take?
Your council should contact you within 10 working days of your application. The overall timeline from application to completed installation varies by council and the complexity of the work required.
Next Steps
- Check your eligibility using our free tool
- Apply on gov.uk if you're ready to proceed
- Compare all available grants to see which schemes you might qualify for
- Learn about ECO4 — you may be eligible for additional support
- Explore the Boiler Upgrade Scheme if you're interested in a heat pump
The Bottom Line
The Warm Homes: Local Grant is the UK government's primary route to free home energy upgrades for low-income households in England. With £500 million in funding and no cost to eligible homeowners, it covers insulation, heat pumps, and solar panels — making it one of the most generous energy efficiency grants currently available. If your household income is under £36,000 and your home has a poor EPC rating, apply now before council funding runs out.
Warm Homes Local Grant in Your Area
Eligibility and local support varies by council. See what's available near you:
- Grants in Hull — £3.4M WHLG funding secured
- Grants in Nottingham
- Grants in Manchester
- Grants in Newcastle
- Grants in Bristol
- Energy grants by city — all areas
Related Articles
- ECO4 Extended to December 2026: What It Means for You
- Nest Wales: Free Boiler, Insulation & Solar Guide
- GBIS Has Ended — What Replaces It in 2026?
- Warm Homes Plan 2026: Complete Guide to the UK Programme
- Energy Grants for Pensioners 2026
- Are Solar Panels Worth It in 2026? (Honest Answer)
- Are Solar Panels Worth It in the UK in 2026?
- Solar Savings Calculator — How Much Could You Save?
- Solar Panel Grants UK 2026: Every Scheme Explained
- Are Solar Panels Worth It in the UK in 2026?
- Are Solar Panels Worth It in the UK in 2026?
Important: WarmHomeUK is an independent service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the UK Government, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, or Ofgem. Eligibility results are indicative and subject to official assessment. This content does not constitute financial or legal advice.
Written by Forhad Sarker
Forhad has worked inside the UK solar installation industry and now runs WarmHomeUK to make government grant information accessible. He tracks scheme changes across 300+ councils, reads the policy documents, and cross-references every guide against official gov.uk sources.