Local Grants and Schemes

The Warm Homes: Local Grant is a government-funded energy efficiency scheme delivered by local councils in England.

It provides fully or largely funded home energy improvements for households on lower incomes or living in homes with poor energy performance.

Unlike national schemes that operate the same way everywhere, this funding is managed locally, which means:

• Availability varies by postcode

• Councils decide how funding is delivered

• Support is targeted at homes most in need

The scheme launched on 1 April 2025 and is currently expected to run until 31 March 2028, subject to funding rounds and local delivery.

Official government overview

You may be eligible if either:

• Your household income is £36,000 or less, or

• You receive a means-tested benefit, such as:
  

  • Universal Credit

  • Pension Credit

  • Housing Benefit

  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

  • Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit

    AND all of the following apply:

• You live in England

• You own your home or rent from a private landlord

• Your home has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F or G

• Your property is located in an eligible postcode (as defined by your local authority)

Eligibility is assessed through your local council, which determines whether funding is available in your area and whether your property meets technical requirements.

Official eligibility guidance

The Warm Homes: Local Grant focuses on reducing heat loss first, then improving heating where appropriate.

Typical funding levels

• Up to £15,000 for energy efficiency improvements

• An additional £15,000 for low-carbon heating

The exact package depends on your home and your council.

Energy efficiency improvements (commonly funded)

• Loft insulation

• Cavity wall insulation

• Solid wall insulation (internal or external)

• Floor insulation

• Draught-proofing

• Heating controls

Drop down - List of possible energy-efficiency improvements covered by the grant

• Cavity wall insulation

• Flat roof insulation

• Internal wall insulation

• Loft insulation

• Park home insulation

• Room-in-roof insulation

• Solid/external wall insulation

• Underfloor insulation

• Heating controls

• Hot water cylinder insulation

• Hot water cylinder thermostat

• Hot water cylinder/tank

• Low energy lighting

• Solar PV

• Solar thermal

• Battery storage (only eligible when complementing Solar PV)

• Digital/smart controls

• Draught proofing

• Double/triple glazing

• Energy efficiency doors

• Air-source heat pump

• Ground-source heat pump

• Hybrid heat pump

• Shared ground loops

• High Heat Retention Storage Heaters

• Biomass boilers

Low-carbon heating (where suitable)

Air source heat pumps

• Ground source heat pumps

• In some cases, high-retention storage heaters

The aim is usually to improve the home to at least EPC band C, where possible.

Official measures list

All work is:

• Arranged through your local authority or their delivery partner

• Installed by approved and accredited installers

• Checked to meet government quality standards

You do not pay installers directly for funded work.

There are two routes, depending on your situation.

Homeowners

You usually apply by:

1. Using the government’s eligibility checker

2. Being referred to your local council

3. Having your home assessed

👉 Start here

Private renters

• Applications normally require landlord consent

• Councils manage the process and approvals

• Funding is designed so tenants do not pay for the upgrades

Once you’ve submitted your application, here’s what typically happens.

1. Your local authority reviews your application

Your local authority should contact you within around 10 working days.

They may:

• Confirm your details

• Ask for additional information if needed

• Explain the next steps in your area

Some councils are accepting applications but not yet actively processing them.

If this is the case, your application will be held until your local authority is ready to proceed.

2. A home survey is arranged

Your local authority will arrange a home energy survey.

This survey:

• Is carried out by an official contractor approved by your local authority

• Assesses your home’s current energy efficiency

• Identifies which improvements may be funded

Important reassurance:

• The surveyor will not try to sell you anything

• They will never ask for your bank details

• You are not committing to any work at this stage

3. Your eligibility is confirmed

After the survey, your local authority will confirm:

• Which improvements are suitable for your home

• What funding is available

• Whether any contribution is required (many households pay nothing)

If approved, installation is then arranged through the council’s delivery partners.

4. Installation and completion

Once approved:

• Work is carried out by approved, vetted installers

• The local authority oversees the process

• Improvements are completed with no upfront cost for eligible households

Why timelines and outcomes vary

Two households with similar homes can have very different experiences.

That’s because:

• Funding is released in local phases

• Councils operate at different speeds

• Installer availability varies by region

• Some measures depend on property type and EPC outcomes

This is normal — and not a reflection on your application.