ECO4 and Warm Homes grants: what you could get in 2026
There's more help for home energy upgrades than ever, but it's spread across several schemes. Here's what each one does, who it's for, and how to find out which applies to you. Tell us about your home and we'll point you to the right one.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme: off an air source or ground source heat pump. Not means-tested.
Warm Homes loans for solar and the same again for a battery, plus 0% VAT to March 2027.
Council Warm Homes grants and ECO4 can fully fund upgrades for eligible households.
The Warm Homes Plan
The Warm Homes Plan is the government's programme to make homes warmer and cheaper to run, funded to 2029/30. It includes:
- the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (£7,500 off a heat pump, for any homeowner or landlord in England and Wales);
- Warm Homes loans: low-rate, government-backed loans for solar panels, batteries and heat pumps, open since October 2026;
- Warm Homes: Local Grant: run by councils, for lower-income households in England, which can fully fund insulation, heat pumps and solar.
Each council sets its own rules for the Local Grant, usually based on household income, benefits, or the area you live in, and how energy-efficient the home is.
ECO4: ending 31 December 2026
ECO4 (the Energy Company Obligation) is paid for by the big energy suppliers. It funds insulation and heating upgrades, sometimes including heat pumps and solar, for households on certain benefits, or on a low income through their council's "Flex" route.
- ECO4 closes at the end of 31 December 2026, so jobs need to be agreed and done before then.
- The Great British Insulation Scheme has already closed to new applications.
- From 2027, help for lower-income homes comes mainly through the Warm Homes Plan.
We can't decide eligibility: the schemes, councils and installers do. We don't promise a grant or a free installation.
Grant questions
Can I get a free heat pump?
Possibly, if your household is on a low income or certain benefits: ECO4 (until 31 December 2026) and council Warm Homes grants can fully fund one. For everyone else, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme takes £7,500 off the price, with no income test.
Can I get free solar panels?
Lower-income households may get solar fully funded through ECO4 or their council's Warm Homes: Local Grant. Most other homes can use 0% VAT and a low-rate Warm Homes loan instead.
When does ECO4 end?
ECO4 ends on 31 December 2026. After that, help for lower-income homes comes mainly through the Warm Homes Plan.
Who qualifies for the Warm Homes: Local Grant?
It's for lower-income households in England, and each council sets its own rules, usually based on household income, benefits or the area, plus how energy-efficient the home is. Tell us your postcode and we'll point you to your council's scheme.
Is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme part of the Warm Homes Plan?
Yes. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is paid for through the Warm Homes Plan. It's open to any homeowner or landlord in England and Wales, whatever their income.
Can I combine grants?
Sometimes, but not for the same thing: for example, you can't use the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and a council grant for the same heat pump. The installer checks what can be combined for your home.
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