Every Energy Grant UK Homeowners Can Still Claim in 2026

The UK government and local authorities offer several grants and schemes to help homeowners improve their home’s energy efficiency. The problem is that information is scattered across multiple websites, eligibility criteria change frequently, and many homeowners are not aware of what they qualify for. Here is a plain-English summary of every major energy grant available to UK homeowners in 2026, who qualifies, and how to apply.

Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides upfront grants to help homeowners replace fossil fuel heating systems with heat pumps. The grant values for 2026 are:

• Air source heat pump: £7,500 grant
• Ground source heat pump: £7,500 grant
• Biomass boiler: £5,000 grant (rural properties not connected to gas grid only)

Who qualifies: You must own the property (or be a private landlord), the property must have an EPC with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation, and you must be replacing a fossil fuel heating system (gas, oil, LPG, or electric). New-build properties are not eligible. The scheme is available in England and Wales.

How to apply: You do not apply directly. Your MCS-certified heat pump installer applies on your behalf. The grant is deducted from your installation quote, so you pay the reduced price upfront. Choose an installer who is registered with the BUS scheme and they handle the paperwork.

ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation)

ECO4 is the main scheme for fully funded or heavily subsidised insulation and heating improvements. It is funded by energy suppliers and delivered through local installers.

What it covers: Cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, solid wall insulation, underfloor insulation, boiler replacements, heat pumps, solar panels, and other energy efficiency measures. The specific measures offered depend on your property’s EPC rating and what improvements would make the biggest difference.

Who qualifies: You must either receive certain means-tested benefits (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit, Income Support, or Housing Benefit) or live in a property with an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G and meet income thresholds. Some local authorities operate a flexible eligibility route (ECO Flex) that allows people who do not receive qualifying benefits but are on low incomes or in fuel poverty to access the scheme.

How to apply: Contact your local authority to check if they operate ECO Flex, or search for ECO4-approved installers in your area. Your energy supplier’s website may also have information about available schemes. Beware of cold-callers and door-knockers claiming to offer free insulation — always verify through official channels.

Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)

GBIS focuses specifically on insulation for homes in lower council tax bands, regardless of whether you receive benefits.

What it covers: Cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, flat roof insulation, solid wall insulation, underfloor insulation, and room-in-roof insulation.

Who qualifies: There are two routes. The first is for homeowners in council tax bands A to D in England or A to E in Scotland and Wales, living in properties with an EPC of D or below. The second is for anyone receiving qualifying means-tested benefits, regardless of council tax band. You must own your home or have landlord permission.

How to apply: Similar to ECO4, you apply through approved installers or your local authority. The scheme covers most or all of the installation cost depending on the measure and your circumstances.

0% VAT on Energy-Saving Materials

This is not a grant but it effectively reduces costs by 20%. Until at least March 2027, the following installations carry 0% VAT when fitted to residential properties:

• Solar panels and solar thermal systems
• Heat pumps (air source and ground source)
• Insulation (wall, floor, and loft)
• Draught stripping
• Heating controls (thermostats, TRVs, smart heating controls)
• Wind turbines and water turbines
• Biomass boilers

Who qualifies: Any homeowner having these materials installed in a residential property. There are no income or benefit requirements. The installer should automatically apply the 0% rate on your invoice. If they charge you 20% VAT on any of the above, query it.

Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)

If you install solar panels, a wind turbine, or other small-scale generation, the Smart Export Guarantee requires energy suppliers to pay you for surplus electricity you export to the grid.

How much you earn: Rates vary by supplier, typically between 4p and 15p per kWh exported. Octopus Energy, EDF, and British Gas tend to offer competitive rates. Some suppliers offer fixed rates while others offer variable or time-of-use rates that pay more during peak hours.

How to apply: Once your solar panels are installed and registered with MCS, you can sign up with any SEG-licensed supplier. You do not have to use the same supplier for your import tariff. Shop around for the best export rate.

Local Authority Grants

Many local councils run their own energy efficiency schemes using government funding or local budgets. These vary significantly by area but can include free or subsidised insulation, boiler replacements, solar panel programmes, and energy advice services. Your local council’s website is the best starting point. Search for your council name plus “energy grants” or “home improvement grants” to find current schemes.

In particular, homeowners in the North West of England should check with their local authority about Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2) funding, which targets off-gas-grid properties with EPC ratings of D or below and can fund heat pumps, insulation, and solar panels at no cost to qualifying homeowners.

How to Check What You Qualify For

The quickest way to check your eligibility across all schemes is to use the government’s Simple Energy Advice service at simpleenergyadvice.org.uk. Enter your postcode and answer a few questions about your property and circumstances, and it shows which grants and schemes are available to you. It is free, impartial, and takes about five minutes.

If you are not sure where to start, getting a free quote from a qualified installer is often the most practical first step. Good installers know which grants apply to your situation and will factor them into your quote automatically. Just make sure you get at least three quotes to compare, and always verify that the installer is MCS-certified and registered with the relevant grant schemes before committing.