£30,000 Free Home Upgrades
Warm Homes Local Grant Explained
The Warm Homes: Local Grant provides up to £30,000 in free home energy upgrades for low-income households in England. Eligible families can receive fully funded solar panels, battery storage, air source heat pumps, and insulation at no cost.
What Does £30,000 Cover?
The maximum grant value of £30,000 splits across two upgrade categories: energy performance improvements and low-carbon heating.
Energy Performance Upgrades
Up to £15,000 - Reduce heat loss and electricity consumption
| Measure | Typical Value |
|---|---|
|
Solar PV panels Generate electricity from daylight |
£9,000-£12,000 |
|
Battery storage Store solar energy for evening use |
£3,000-£6,000 |
|
Loft insulation Reduce heat loss through roof |
£500-£1,500 |
|
Cavity wall insulation Reduce heat loss through walls |
£1,000-£2,500 |
|
Solid wall insulation Insulate older properties without cavities |
£8,000-£15,000 |
|
Floor insulation Reduce heat loss through ground floor |
£1,000-£2,500 |
|
Draught proofing Seal gaps around doors and windows |
£200-£500 |
The goal is to raise your property's EPC rating to C where possible.
Low-Carbon Heating Upgrades
Up to £15,000 - Heat pump installation
| Measure | Typical Value |
|---|---|
|
Air source heat pump Extract heat from outside air |
£10,000-£15,000 |
|
Ground source heat pump Extract heat from ground (less common) |
£15,000-£25,000 |
Heat pump upgrades are particularly encouraged for properties off the gas grid, where alternative fuels like oil are expensive.
Real Examples of Funded Packages
The measures you receive depend on your property's current condition and what improvements are most effective.
Example 1: Semi-Detached House, EPC D
A household receiving Universal Credit owns a 1970s semi-detached property rated EPC D. The property has cavity walls but poor loft insulation.
Funded package:
- 10-panel solar PV system (4.65kW)£9,500
- Battery storage (5kWh)£3,500
- Loft insulation top-up£800
Expected outcome: EPC improves to C, annual energy bills reduced by £1,000+.
Example 2: Terraced House, EPC E, Off Gas Grid
A pensioner on Pension Credit lives in a Victorian terrace heated by oil. The property has solid walls and no central heating controls.
Funded package:
- Air source heat pump£12,000
- Solid wall insulation£10,000
- Smart heating controls£500
Expected outcome: EPC improves to C, oil heating eliminated, annual savings of £800+.
Example 3: End-Terrace, EPC F
A family earning £32,000 combined owns an unimproved 1930s end-terrace with an old gas boiler and no insulation.
Funded package:
- Cavity wall insulation£1,800
- Loft insulation£1,200
- Solar PV (6 panels)£6,500
- Battery storage (3kWh)£2,500
- Underfloor insulation£1,500
Expected outcome: EPC improves to D, foundation for future heat pump installation.
Who Qualifies for Free Upgrades?
Eligibility requires meeting income criteria and property requirements.
Income Criteria (One of These)
Option A: Income threshold
- • Total household income at or below £36,000 per year
- • Includes all earners in the home
- • Verified by payslips, tax returns, or accountant letter
Option B: Means-tested benefits
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit
- Child Tax Credit (below income threshold)
- Working Tax Credit (below income threshold)
If you receive any qualifying benefit, you automatically meet income requirements regardless of total household earnings.
Property Criteria (All of These)
- EPC rating of D, E, F, or G
- Owner-occupied OR private rental (with landlord permission)
- Located in England
- Not social housing (except limited infill schemes)
- Not previously received funding for same measures
How Free Upgrades Are Delivered
The Warm Homes: Local Grant operates through local councils, not directly from central government.
Expression of Interest
Local authorities submit bids to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. In the 2025 allocation round, 271 councils (97% of eligible authorities) received funding.
Household Application
You apply through your local council's portal (not a national website). Each council sets its own application process, though eligibility criteria are standardised.
Eligibility Verification
The council confirms your income or benefits and checks property details against the EPC register.
Property Survey
A council-appointed contractor surveys your home to identify which measures will be most effective. The survey is free.
Upgrade Package Proposal
You receive a written proposal detailing which measures will be installed and their value. You must agree before work begins.
Installation
Approved contractors complete installations. Most solar and battery projects take 1-2 days. Heat pumps may take 2-5 days depending on complexity.
Handover
You receive documentation, warranties, and guidance on using new systems. MCS certificates are provided for renewable installations.
Current Application Status
The Warm Homes: Local Grant experienced high demand following its June 2025 launch. Many council portals temporarily closed to new applications in late 2025 while processing existing submissions.
Expected timeline:
- Spring 2026: Application portals reopen in most areas
- 2025-2028: £500 million allocated for delivery
- 2030: Programme targets complete
Contact your local council directly to check current application status in your area.
Differences from Previous Schemes
The Warm Homes: Local Grant replaces and expands several previous programmes.
| Previous Scheme | Warm Homes: Local Grant |
|---|---|
| ECO4 (ends March 2026) | Continues similar support with expanded budget |
| Local Authority Delivery (LAD) | Consolidated into single scheme |
| Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) | Merged into Warm Homes programme |
| Varied income thresholds | Standardised at £36,000 |
| Limited technology options | Full range including solar and batteries |
The consolidation aims to simplify access and reduce confusion between overlapping programmes.
What If You Don't Quite Qualify?
Households slightly above the income threshold or with properties rated C still have options.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (All Incomes)
The £7,500 heat pump grant has no income requirement. Any homeowner replacing fossil fuel heating can access this grant through an MCS-certified installer.
Apply for heat pump grantConsumer Loan Scheme (From April 2027)
Government-backed loans at zero or low interest will help "able-to-pay" households install solar panels and batteries. Monthly repayments are designed to be offset by energy savings.
Learn about Consumer Loan Scheme0% Finance (Available Now)
Greentech Renewables offers 0% APR finance over 1-2 years on all installations. This allows you to spread costs while benefiting from energy savings immediately.
Calculate monthly paymentsMaximising Your Free Upgrade
If you qualify, consider how to get the most value from your funded package.
Request Solar and Battery Together
Solar panels alone generate electricity during daylight hours. Adding battery storage allows you to use that electricity in the evening when demand is highest. Request both measures if your property is suitable.
Learn about solar and battery packages →Combine with Smart Export Guarantee
Once your free solar panels are installed, register for the Smart Export Guarantee to receive payment for electricity you export to the grid. SEG rates of 12-15p per kWh add further savings.
Consider Future Heat Pump Installation
If your property receives insulation and solar under Warm Homes: Local Grant, you could later add a heat pump using the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant. Improved insulation makes heat pumps more effective.
Explore heat pump options →Frequently Asked Questions
Start Your Free Upgrade Journey
As MCS-certified installers, we can assess your eligibility for all available schemes and help you access the maximum funding for your home.
