Warm Homes: Local Grant: council-funded insulation and heat pumps
This scheme is open.
England only.
Warm Homes: Local Grant funds home improvements such as insulation and air source heat pumps for eligible households in England. It is delivered by your local council rather than an energy supplier, and the council organises and pays for the agreed work, so you are not expected to fund it yourself.
“They might suggest improvements like installing: wall, loft and underfloor insulation air source heat pumps smart controls solar panels. Your local council will then organise and pay for any improvement work they've agreed with you. You will not need to pay for it.”
What the scheme is, and where it fits
The Home Upgrade Grant closed, and GOV.UK now points applicants to this scheme instead. If you were looking at the Home Upgrade Grant, the Great British Insulation Scheme, or wondering how to get insulation help outside of an energy supplier, this is generally the current route for households in England.
“The Home Upgrade Grant is now closed. You may be able to apply for the Warm Homes: Local Grant instead.”
“You could get free energy saving improvements made to your home if you're on a low income, getting certain benefits or living in a certain postcode area.”
Funding for the scheme is allocated to local authorities rather than paid out as an open-ended national pot: local authorities had to apply for an allocation by a set deadline, and only those that did so are delivering it. That means what is available, and how quickly a council responds, can vary by area and over time.
“The Warm Homes: Local Grant expression of interest (EOI) window is now closed. Local authorities had to apply for the funding by 1 December 2024. All eligible local authorities that completed and submitted an EOI form by this deadline have been allocated funding.”
What the council can fund
If a survey finds your home would benefit, your council may fund:
- wall, loft and underfloor insulation
- air source heat pumps
- smart heating controls
- solar panels
“Your local council will then organise and pay for any improvement work they've agreed with you. You will not need to pay for it.”
The council manages the contractors and pays for the work directly — you are not expected to find an installer yourself or pay upfront and claim money back. If you rent your home and your landlord owns it, your landlord may need to contribute towards some of the improvements, since the property is not yours to authorise work on alone.
| Total budget allocation across 3 years | £500,000,000 |
|---|
Who qualifies
Your home needs to be in England, privately owned by you or your landlord, and have an Energy Performance Certificate rated D, E, F or G. If you do not know your home’s current EPC rating, GOV.UK’s eligibility checker can find it out for you as part of applying.
On top of that, GOV.UK sets a household income limit for most applicants, published directly on its own Warm Homes: Local Grant page rather than restated as a number here — check that page for the current limit. If your income is above it, you can still be eligible if you live in a qualifying postcode area, or if someone in your household receives certain benefits — GOV.UK’s checker takes all three routes into account.
“Your household income must usually be GBP 36,000 a year or less.”
How the process runs
- Use the eligibility checker on GOV.UK to see whether your home and circumstances meet the criteria.
- If eligible, and your council has funding, expect your council to contact you within around 10 working days for more information.
- Your council arranges a home survey to assess which improvements would help.
- You discuss and agree the proposed work with the council before anything is installed.
- The council organises the contractors and pays for the agreed work directly.
If you need help using the online service, GOV.UK provides an assisted digital support helpline on 0800 098 7950, open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm and Saturday from 9am to 12pm, excluding bank holidays.
If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland
Common questions
Is Warm Homes: Local Grant the same as the Home Upgrade Grant?
No, but GOV.UK now points people to this scheme instead. The Home Upgrade Grant’s Phase 2 funding ran from April 2023 until March 2025, when it ended, and GOV.UK’s closure notice for that scheme says you may be able to apply for the Warm Homes: Local Grant.
Do I pay anything towards the work?
GOV.UK says your council will organise and pay for the agreed work and that you will not need to pay for it. If you rent from a landlord, your landlord may need to contribute towards some improvements.
What can Warm Homes: Local Grant pay for?
Councils can fund improvements including wall, loft and underfloor insulation, air source heat pumps, smart heating controls and solar panels, depending on what a home survey recommends.
What is the income limit for Warm Homes: Local Grant?
GOV.UK publishes a household income limit on its own Warm Homes: Local Grant page, not repeated as a number here — check that page for the current figure. If your income is above the limit, you may still qualify through a qualifying postcode area or certain benefits in your household.
How long does it take for the council to get in touch?
GOV.UK says your council will usually contact you within about 10 working days of applying, to gather more information and arrange a home survey.
Does Warm Homes: Local Grant cover Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?
No, it is England only. GOV.UK advises checking a different scheme if you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Related guides
Information on this page was checked against the official guidance on 25 August 2026. The source page was last updated on 1 April 2025.
This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Money Decisions UK is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and does not arrange, recommend or introduce any credit, debt or mortgage product.