Warm Homes Plan Eligibility
Who Qualifies for Free Solar and Heat Pump Grants
Low-income households earning below £36,000 per year (or receiving means-tested benefits) qualify for up to £30,000 in free upgrades. All homeowners can access the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant for heat pumps regardless of income.
Quick Eligibility Check
Answer these questions to determine which funding you can access.
Do You Qualify for Free Upgrades?
Warm Homes: Local Grant - Up to £30,000
Income requirement (one of these):
Property requirement (all of these):
If you tick all boxes, you likely qualify for free home upgrades worth up to £30,000.
Do You Qualify for the £7,500 Heat Pump Grant?
Boiler Upgrade Scheme - No Income Limit
If you tick all boxes, you can access the £7,500 heat pump grant regardless of income.
Income Thresholds Explained
Income Threshold: £36,000 Per Year
Your total household income must be at or below £36,000 to qualify. This figure includes:
- All earnings from employment (gross, before tax)
- Self-employment income
- Pension income
- Investment income
- Other household members' income combined
Verification methods vary by local authority. You will typically need to provide payslips, tax returns, or benefit statements.
Automatic Eligibility via Benefits
If you receive any of these means-tested benefits, you automatically meet the income requirement:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit
- Child Tax Credit (income below threshold)
- Working Tax Credit (income below threshold)
You will need to provide proof of current benefit receipt, such as an award letter dated within the past 3 months.
Property Requirements
EPC Rating (Warm Homes: Local Grant Only)
For free upgrades, your property must have an Energy Performance Certificate rating of D, E, F, or G. Properties rated A, B, or C are considered sufficiently efficient and do not qualify.
If you do not have a current EPC, you can:
- Find your existing EPC on the EPC Register
- Commission a new assessment from a qualified assessor (typically £60-£120)
Note: The EPC requirement has been removed for Boiler Upgrade Scheme applications. You no longer need to clear insulation recommendations before accessing the £7,500 heat pump grant.
Property Type
Eligible properties:
- Owner-occupied homes
- Private rental properties (landlord permission required)
- Self-build properties (BUS only)
Ineligible properties:
- New-build homes (never previously occupied)
- Social housing (except infill schemes capped at 10%)
- Properties with existing low-carbon heating (for BUS)
Location Requirements
- Warm Homes: Local Grant: England only
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme: England and Wales
- Scotland: Separate schemes through Home Energy Scotland
- Northern Ireland: Separate regional programmes
Qualifying Heating Systems (Boiler Upgrade Scheme)
The BUS grant requires replacement of existing fossil fuel or electric heating with a heat pump.
You can apply if your current system is:
- Gas boiler
- Oil boiler
- LPG boiler
- Electric storage heaters
- Electric panel heaters
- Coal or solid fuel heating
You cannot apply if:
- You already have a heat pump or other low-carbon heating
- You want to install a hybrid system (heat pump + gas boiler)
- The property is heated by district heating
What Disqualifies You?
Certain circumstances prevent eligibility for specific grants.
Warm Homes: Local Grant Disqualifications
- Household income above £36,000 (unless receiving qualifying benefits)
- Property rated EPC A, B, or C
- Social housing (limited exceptions)
- Property outside England
- Previous receipt of funding for same measures
Boiler Upgrade Scheme Disqualifications
- Previous BUS grant on same property
- Other public funding already received for heat pump
- New-build property (self-builds are allowed)
- Existing low-carbon heating system
- Installation by non-MCS-certified contractor
- Hybrid heat pump system
Landlords and Tenants
How Landlords Can Qualify
Current Eligibility
Landlords can access the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to install heat pumps in rental properties, receiving the same £7,500 grant as owner-occupiers.
The Warm Homes: Local Grant primarily targets owner-occupiers and private tenants. Landlords cannot claim free upgrades for their properties directly, though tenants may apply with landlord permission.
2030 Requirements
By 2030, private rental properties must achieve EPC rating C (up from current E minimum). Landlords who make improvements from October 2025 onwards can count these towards the 2030 cost cap.
Tenants: How to Access Free Upgrades
Private renters can apply for Warm Homes: Local Grant funding if they meet income requirements. The process requires:
- Written landlord permission for installation
- Landlord agreement to provide access for survey and works
- Your name (or partner's name) on the energy bill
Note: The property owner does not need to meet income thresholds—eligibility is based on tenant circumstances.
Social housing tenants cannot apply directly but may benefit from upgrades funded through housing associations or local authority programmes.
Next Steps by Eligibility Type
If You Qualify for Free Upgrades
Your local council administers the Warm Homes: Local Grant. You will need to:
- Gather proof of income or benefits
- Locate your EPC certificate
- Submit application through local authority
- Await eligibility confirmation and survey
If You Qualify for BUS Only
The BUS grant is installer-led—homeowners do not apply directly:
- Contact an MCS-certified installer
- Receive quote showing grant deduction
- Approve the installation
- Installer handles grant application
If You Don't Currently Qualify
Options for households above the income threshold:
- Heat pumps: Access £7,500 BUS grant regardless of income
- Solar panels: Wait for Consumer Loan Scheme (April 2027) or use 0% finance now
- Battery storage: Use installer finance options
Changes to Eligibility Rules in 2026
The Warm Homes Plan introduced several eligibility changes from previous schemes.
| Rule | Previous | 2026 Change |
|---|---|---|
| EPC insulation requirement | Must clear loft/cavity recommendations | Removed for BUS |
| Air-to-air heat pumps | Not eligible | £2,500 grant from late 2026 |
| Heat batteries | Not eligible | £2,500 grant from 2026/27 |
| Income threshold | Varied by scheme | £36,000 standardised |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Check Your Eligibility?
Contact us for a free eligibility assessment. We can check your qualification and guide you through the application process.
