Grants Could Reduce the Cost of Improving Your Home

 

Government-backed schemes and local authority programmes can sometimes fund part, or in certain circumstances all, of the cost of energy-efficiency improvements.

​

However, there isn't one universal "green home grant".

​

Different schemes have different eligibility rules. Some are aimed at lower-income households, some at properties with poor EPC ratings, while others are available much more widely for specific technologies such as heat pumps.

​

Funding can also change, close or be replaced.

​

Before deciding what to install, it therefore makes sense to look at the whole property, the improvements it needs and the funding that may be available.

​

​

Boiler Upgrade Scheme – Up to £9,000 Towards a Heat Pump

 

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is currently one of the most significant incentives available to homeowners considering low-carbon heating.

​

For eligible properties in England and Wales, grants currently include:

• £7,500 towards an air-to-water air source heat pump

• £7,500 towards a ground source heat pump

• £5,000 towards a biomass boiler

• £2,500 towards an air-to-air heat pump

​

Some properties that are not connected to mains gas and currently use oil or LPG heating can qualify for £9,000 towards an eligible air-to-water or ground source heat pump.

​

The grant is normally dealt with through an approved installer and is intended to reduce the amount the homeowner has to pay towards the installation.

​

But a heat pump isn't automatically the right first investment for every house.

​

The insulation, heat loss, radiators or underfloor heating, hot-water system and overall condition of the property should all be considered before changing the heating system.

​

​

Warm Homes: Local Grant

 

The Warm Homes: Local Grant can provide substantial help to qualifying households in England.

​

It is aimed primarily at privately owned or privately rented homes with an EPC rating of D, E, F or G, where the household meets the relevant income, benefit or postcode criteria.

​

Eligible households may receive improvements such as:

• Loft insulation

• Wall insulation

• Underfloor insulation

• Air source heat pumps

• Smart heating controls

• Solar panels

​

For qualifying owner-occupiers, agreed work can be organised and paid for through the local authority, meaning the homeowner may have nothing to pay towards the approved improvements.

​

Eligibility varies, and available funding depends upon the participating local authority.

​

​

ECO4 – Energy Company Obligation

 

The Energy Company Obligation — usually known as ECO — is another government energy-efficiency programme.

​

ECO4 is intended particularly to tackle fuel poverty and improve less energy-efficient homes. It is delivered through energy suppliers rather than as a simple cash grant paid directly to homeowners.

​

Depending upon eligibility and the condition of the property, improvements can potentially include insulation, heating and other measures intended to reduce the cost of heating the home.

​

The current ECO4 programme has been extended and is scheduled to run until 31 December 2026.

​

Eligibility can be complicated, so homeowners should check the current rules rather than assuming that receiving — or not receiving — a particular benefit automatically determines whether help is available.

​

​

What Happened to the Great British Insulation Scheme?

 

You may still come across websites advertising the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS).

​

The scheme ended on 31 March 2026. It should therefore not be relied upon as a current source of funding for a new application.

​

This is a good example of why homeowners need to be careful when researching grants online. Articles, adverts and comparison websites can remain online long after a scheme has changed or closed.

​

​

Can You Get a Grant for Solar Panels?

 

There is not currently a simple nationwide grant that allows every homeowner to claim money towards solar panels merely because they want to install them.

​

However, solar PV can be funded through certain targeted programmes, including the Warm Homes: Local Grant where the household and property meet the eligibility requirements.

​

There may also be local authority initiatives and other programmes available from time to time.

​

This makes it worth checking funding before placing an order for a solar installation.

​

​

Can You Get Help With Insulation?

 

Insulation remains one of the most important areas to investigate when improving an inefficient home.

​

Depending upon eligibility and the scheme available, support may potentially be available for measures including:

• Loft insulation

• Cavity wall insulation

• Solid wall insulation

• Internal or external wall insulation

• Underfloor insulation

​

For many properties, improving the building fabric before spending heavily on new heating technology can be the sensible approach.

​

A well-insulated house loses heat more slowly, requires less energy to maintain a comfortable temperature and can make technologies such as heat pumps considerably more effective.

​

​

What About Windows and Double Glazing?

 

Funding for replacement windows is much less universally available than many advertisements suggest.

​

Some whole-house or local authority schemes may allow glazing improvements where they form part of an eligible retrofit package, but homeowners should be wary of websites implying that there is a general government grant available to everyone for new double or triple glazing.

​

If your windows are old, draughty or single glazed, replacement may still form an important part of your Green Home Plan, but it should be assessed alongside insulation, ventilation, heating and the other improvements being considered.

​

​

Grants Shouldn't Decide Your Whole Strategy

 

A grant is useful.

​

But spending £10,000 simply because somebody offers you £3,000 towards it doesn't automatically make it a good investment.

​

The starting point should still be:

What does this particular home actually need?

One property might benefit most from insulation.

Another may already have a good thermal envelope and gain more from solar PV and battery storage.

Another could be ideally suited to a heat pump.

​

And another might achieve a better result by improving glazing, controlling overheating and upgrading the existing heating controls first.

​

The available grant should help fund the strategy, it shouldn't create the strategy.

​

​

Find the Improvements That Make Sense for Your Home

 

APN Green Homes looks beyond individual products.

​

We consider the property as a whole and help you understand how improvements such as:

• Insulation

• Solar panels

• Battery storage

• Heat pumps

• Heating controls

• Windows and glazing

• Underfloor heating

• Ventilation and MVHR

• Air conditioning and cooling

• EV charging

could work together.

​

We can also identify relevant grant and funding routes for the improvements being considered, giving you the information you need to investigate eligibility before committing to major expenditure.

​

​

Don't Miss Funding That Could Reduce Your Installation Costs

 

Green home improvements can involve thousands, and sometimes tens of thousands, of pounds.

​

It therefore makes little sense to start ordering equipment before checking whether financial support may be available.

​

Your APN Green Homes assessment brings the property, potential improvements, priorities and available funding together into one practical plan.

​

You may discover that an improvement you were already considering could cost considerably less than you expected.

​

And just as importantly, you may discover that your money would be better spent somewhere else first.

​

​

Start With Your Green Home Assessment

 

Every home is different. Your green home plan should be too.

​

An APN Green Homes Assessment provides a practical blueprint for improving your home using today's energy-saving and low-carbon technologies — prioritised around your property, your budget and your future plans.

​

We'll help you understand:

• What improvements are appropriate for your property

• Which should be prioritised

• What they are likely to cost

• Which technologies work well together

• Where grants or funding may potentially reduce the cost

• What you should investigate before obtaining installation quotations

​

Green Home Assessment — £495 + VAT

​

Tip: Before you spend thousands improving your home, find out where your money will make the biggest difference.