Table of Contents
What Is the Warm Homes Plan?
The Warm Homes Plan is the UK government's biggest ever home energy upgrade programme. Backed by £15 billion of public investment, its goal is to upgrade up to 5 million homes and lift 1 million families out of fuel poverty by 2030.
It isn't a single scheme — it's an umbrella programme that brings together several grants and funding routes under one name. The type of support you can access depends on your income, your home's energy rating, and where you live.
What Does It Cover?
The Warm Homes Plan funds a wide range of home improvements, including:
- Solar panels and battery storage
- Air source and ground source heat pumps
- Insulation (loft, cavity wall, external wall, floor)
- Double glazing and draught proofing
- Smart heating controls
If your home needs more than one upgrade, you may be able to combine measures — for example, solar panels plus insulation plus a heat pump — up to the scheme's grant cap.
Warm Homes Plan Grants Available in 2026
Three schemes are live and accepting applications today.
Warm Homes Local Grant (Up to £30,000)
The Warm Homes Local Grant is the main route for low-income households. It is delivered through local councils across England and covers the full cost of eligible home upgrades — including solar panels, insulation, heat pumps, and battery storage — with no contribution required from the homeowner.
| What you need to know | Details |
|---|---|
| Who qualifies | Private homeowners or private renters (with landlord consent) in England |
| EPC requirement | Your home must have an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G |
| Income threshold | Household income of £36,000 or less |
| Grant amount | Up to £30,000 per property (varies by measures needed) |
| What's covered | Solar panels, battery storage, heat pumps, insulation, double glazing, heating controls |
| How to apply | Contact your local council or check gov.uk/apply-warm-homes-local-grant |
The council route matters. The Warm Homes Local Grant is administered locally, so your council determines the process and waiting times in your area. Switch Together works directly with councils across England to help residents access the scheme — if your council is a partner, you might be able to access it through Switch Together. Check if your council is a Switch Together partner →
Renters: You can qualify if your household meets the income threshold and your landlord agrees to the work being carried out. The grant is paid to your landlord; your rent cannot be increased as a result.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (Heat Pumps)
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is the main grant for households who want to switch from a gas or oil boiler to a heat pump. Unlike the Warm Homes Local Grant, it has no income test — any homeowner in England or Wales can apply.
| What you need to know | Details |
|---|---|
| Grant amount | £7,500-£9,000 for air source or ground source heat pumps |
| Who qualifies | Homeowners in England and Wales — no income test |
| EPC requirement | No longer required to have an EPC insulation recommendation (rule removed April 2026) |
| What's covered | Heat pumps (air source, ground source, water source); also heat batteries |
| How to apply | Via an MCS-accredited installer — they apply on your behalf |
| Scheme runs until | Funded to 2030 |
The BUS grant is applied at the point of installation — you pay the net cost after the grant, and your installer handles all the paperwork. Switch Together's MCS-accredited installers manage the entire process. Find out more about heat pump grants →
Battery Storage Support
From 2026, a £2,500 grant is available for battery storage to complement solar panels. This is delivered via the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (for heat batteries paired with heating systems) and through the Warm Homes Local Grant in eligible areas.
Battery storage lets you store surplus energy generated by your solar panels and use it in the evening, significantly reducing your electricity bills. A solar and battery system could save the average homeowner around £450 a year on energy bills.
Learn more about solar battery grants →
The Consumer Loan Scheme: Coming in 2027
The government has committed to a low-interest consumer loan scheme for solar panels, batteries, and heat pumps. It is backed by up to £2 billion of public funding and will be available to homeowners across Great Britain — including those who don't qualify for the income-based grants.
This scheme is not yet open for applications. It is expected to launch in phases from 2027, and full eligibility details will be published later in 2026.
In the meantime, Switch Together's group-buying model is the most practical way to reduce the upfront cost of solar panels today — without waiting for the loan scheme. Because we run council-backed group purchases, members typically pay significantly less than the standard market rate. See how Switch Together's group buying works →
Am I Eligible for the Warm Homes Plan?
Your eligibility depends on which scheme you're applying for. Here's a quick summary:
| Scheme | EPC Rating | Income | Location | Means Test? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warm Homes Local Grant | D–G | ≤ £36,000/year | England only | Yes |
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme | No restriction | No limit | England & Wales | No |
| Battery Storage (via BUS) | No restriction | No limit | England & Wales | No |
| Consumer Loan Scheme | TBC | TBC | Great Britain | TBC |
Not sure of your EPC rating? You can check for free at gov.uk's EPC register using your postcode. Most EPCs are valid for 10 years. If yours is over 10 years old or doesn't reflect recent improvements, you may need a new assessment before applying.
Higher income, but want to upgrade? You can still access the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for a heat pump, and Switch Together's group-buying model for solar panels — both are available regardless of income.
How to Apply for the Warm Homes Plan
Step 1 — Check your eligibility Check your EPC rating (gov.uk EPC register), your household income, and your location. This takes five minutes and tells you which schemes you qualify for.
Step 2 — Find your local scheme Visit gov.uk/apply-warm-homes-local-grant to find the scheme running in your area, or check if your council is a Switch Together partner. Council schemes in some areas have waiting lists, so applying early is recommended.
Step 3 — Book a home survey Once you contact a council or an approved installer, they arrange a free survey of your property. This determines which measures are technically suitable and which will make the biggest improvement to your EPC rating.
Step 4 — Installation Approved works are carried out at no cost to you. The grant is paid directly to the installer. You receive a new EPC after the work is complete, and all installed measures come with manufacturer guarantees.
How Switch Together Helps You Access Warm Homes Funding
Switch Together is a council-backed group-buying scheme for solar panels, heat pumps, and battery storage. We work directly with local authorities across England to help you access the Warm Homes Local Grant, which means if your council is a partner, you don't need to navigate the process alone.
Here's what we do differently from other installers:
- Council partnerships: We run schemes in partnership with councils directly. Our team knows the local process, waiting times, and eligibility criteria for each area.
- Grant paperwork handled for you: For BUS heat pump installations, our MCS-accredited installers manage all grant paperwork on your behalf.
- Group-buying savings for everyone: Even if you don't qualify for a grant, Switch Together's group-buying model reduces the cost of solar panels through group buying — no grant required.
- Free personal recommendation: Not sure which scheme applies to you? We'll assess your situation and tell you exactly which grants you're eligible for.
Check if your council is a Switch Together partner →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Warm Homes Plan the same as the Warm Homes Local Grant?
No. The Warm Homes Plan is the overall £15 billion government programme. The Warm Homes Local Grant is one specific scheme within that plan, targeted at low-income households. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme and battery storage grant are separate schemes that also sit under the Warm Homes Plan umbrella.
Is the Warm Homes Plan available in Scotland and Wales?
Partly. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme covers England and Wales. The Warm Homes Local Grant is England only — Scotland has its own equivalent scheme, Home Energy Scotland, which offers grants and interest-free loans. Northern Ireland has the Affordable Warmth Scheme. The consumer loan scheme, when it launches, is expected to cover Great Britain.
Can I get a grant for solar panels under the Warm Homes Plan?
Yes, if you are eligible for the Warm Homes Local Grant. Solar panels are a fully funded measure for qualifying low-income households (EPC D–G, income ≤ £36,000). If you don't qualify for the grant, the consumer loan scheme for solar panels is expected from 2027. Switch Together's group-buying model is available now with no grant required. See solar panel grants →
Are the low-interest loans available now?
No. The Consumer Loan Scheme is not yet open for applications. It is expected to launch in phases from 2027. Full eligibility details will be published by the government later in 2026.
What if I don't qualify for the Warm Homes Plan?
You still have options. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme has no income test and offers £7,500-£9,000 for a heat pump. Solar panel installations qualify for 0% VAT until 31 March 2027. Switch Together's group-buying model reduces the upfront cost of solar regardless of grant eligibility. The consumer loan scheme is also expected to be available from 2027 for those who want to spread the cost.
