Greater Manchester Retrofit Accelerator: 2026 Phase Announced

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has announced the next phase of its Retrofit Accelerator programme for 2026, targeting an additional 5,000 homes across the city-region for energy efficiency upgrades. The programme, backed by a combination of government funding, devolved budgets, and energy company obligations, aims to bring homes up to EPC band C by installing insulation, replacing boilers and heating systems, and fitting solar panels. Homeowners in all ten Greater Manchester boroughs can register interest from March 2026.

What the Retrofit Accelerator Does

The Greater Manchester Retrofit Accelerator is a coordinated approach to home energy improvements that removes many of the barriers individual homeowners face. Rather than navigating grants, finding installers, and managing projects themselves, residents who join the programme receive a whole-house assessment, a tailored improvement plan, access to vetted local contractors, and streamlined grant and funding applications.

The programme was launched in 2020 and has already supported improvements to over 15,000 homes across the city-region. The 2026 phase expands capacity and introduces new measures including heat pump installations funded through the government heat pump grant and solar panel installations for qualifying properties.

GMCA’s approach is area-based, working street by street and neighbourhood by neighbourhood. This allows economies of scale – an insulation contractor working on ten adjacent terraced houses in Oldham or Rochdale can offer lower prices per home than individual one-off installations. Scaffolding, materials delivery, and site setup costs are shared across multiple properties.

Which Boroughs Are Included?

All ten Greater Manchester boroughs participate: Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and Wigan. Each borough has its own delivery partner and target areas, with priority given to neighbourhoods with the highest proportion of fuel-poor households and the worst-performing housing stock.

Areas expected to see significant activity in the 2026 phase include the pre-1919 terraced housing in Oldham, Rochdale, and Bolton town centres, 1950s to 1970s council-built estates in Salford, Wigan, and Tameside, and post-war housing in Bury and Stockport that has cavity walls ready for insulation.

Manchester city council has targeted specific wards including Gorton, Levenshulme, Moss Side, and Moston, where housing conditions and income levels make energy efficiency improvements a priority for both climate and health outcomes.

What Improvements Are Available

The 2026 phase offers a comprehensive menu of energy efficiency measures:

• Insulation – Loft insulation top-up, cavity wall insulation, external wall insulation, internal wall insulation, and floor insulation. Funded through government energy efficiency schemes and government insulation scheme for qualifying households.
• Heating system upgrades – Boiler replacements for broken or inefficient systems, first-time central heating installations, and air source heat pump installations with government grant funding.
• Solar panels – PV installations for suitable properties, funded through government energy efficiency schemes where they contribute to the required EPC uplift.
• Windows and doors – Double glazing replacements as part of comprehensive upgrade packages.
• Smart controls – Programmable thermostats, smart TRVs, and heating zone controls.
• Ventilation improvements – Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) in homes where improved airtightness requires better ventilation.

Not every home receives every measure. The whole-house assessment determines which improvements deliver the biggest impact for each property. A stone-built Victorian terrace in Rochdale might need external wall insulation as its primary measure, while a 1960s semi in Trafford might need cavity wall insulation and loft top-up.

Funding and Eligibility

The programme draws on multiple funding streams, which means eligibility varies depending on which measures you need:

Fully funded (free) measures are available to households on qualifying benefits (Universal Credit, pension top-up benefits, etc.) or those meeting government energy efficiency scheme flexibility provisions criteria set by their local council. These households can receive comprehensive packages worth £5,000 to £20,000 at no cost.

Part-funded measures are available to households that do not qualify for full funding. The Retrofit Accelerator negotiates bulk pricing from contractors, and homeowners pay the reduced rate. A heat pump that might cost £10,000 privately could be available for £4,000 to £6,000 through the programme (after government grant and bulk discount).

Self-funded with support is an option for homeowners who want to pay for improvements themselves but benefit from the programme’s vetted contractor network, quality assurance, and project management. This route ensures good workmanship and competitive pricing even without grant funding.

There is no upper income limit for participation in the programme. The level of financial support you receive depends on your household circumstances and which funding streams apply.

How to Register Interest

Greater Manchester residents can register interest through several channels:

Online. The GMCA Retrofit Accelerator website has a registration form where you enter your address, property type, and contact details. A programme coordinator will contact you within two to four weeks to discuss your options.

Through your local council. Each borough council has a housing or energy team that can register you for the programme. This is often the best route if you have questions about eligibility or need help navigating the application process.

GM Warm Homes helpline. This free telephone service provides energy guidance for Greater Manchester residents and can register you for the Retrofit Accelerator, check your grant eligibility, and connect you with local support services.

The assessment process involves a home visit by a trained energy assessor who examines your property, checks insulation levels, assesses the heating system, and identifies which improvements would deliver the biggest energy and cost savings. The assessment is free and there is no obligation to proceed with any recommended work.

The Wider GM Climate Strategy

The Retrofit Accelerator sits within Greater Manchester’s ambitious Five Year Environment Plan, which aims for the city-region to be carbon neutral by 2038 – twelve years ahead of the national target. Improving the energy efficiency of Greater Manchester’s 1.2 million homes is a central pillar of this strategy.

Mayor Andy Burnham has positioned Greater Manchester as a leader in green home retrofit, with the programme cited as a model for other city-regions. The 2026 phase builds on lessons from earlier rounds, including improved quality assurance processes and better coordination between grant funding streams.

For Greater Manchester homeowners, this means access to a level of support and coordination that is not available in most parts of the country. If you live in any of the ten boroughs, the Retrofit Accelerator is the single best starting point for home energy improvements.

Is the Retrofit Accelerator available to private tenants?

Yes, but the landlord must consent to any physical improvements to the property. The programme can help facilitate conversations between tenants and landlords, and many landlords agree once they understand the improvements are funded and increase the property’s value and EPC rating. Tenants on qualifying benefits can trigger government energy efficiency schemes funding that benefits both parties.

How long does the whole process take?

From registration to completed work, expect three to six months for straightforward measures like loft and cavity wall insulation. More complex projects involving external wall insulation or heat pump installation can take six to twelve months. The initial assessment is usually scheduled within four to six weeks of registration.

Can Lancashire residents outside Greater Manchester access this programme?

The Retrofit Accelerator is specifically for the ten Greater Manchester boroughs. Lancashire residents outside GM (in areas like Preston, Blackburn, Burnley, or Lancaster) should contact their own district council for equivalent local programmes. Several Lancashire councils run their own energy efficiency schemes, and national programmes like government energy efficiency schemes and the government grant are available across all Lancashire postcodes.