Owner Occupiers

Owner Occupiers

Owner-occupiers may be eligible for support through a range of government-funded schemes, including the Warm Homes: Local Grant, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and ECO4.

Funding can help with insulation, heating improvements, renewable energy technologies and low-carbon heating systems, reducing energy bills while improving comfort and energy efficiency.

Eligibility will depend on household circumstances, property type and location

For owner-occupiers, the main government-backed grants currently available are:

1. Warm Homes: Local Grant (England)

The Warm Homes: Local Grant is now one of the Government's primary funding programmes for low-income households living in less energy-efficient homes. It can fund a range of energy efficiency improvements, including insulation, heating upgrades, solar PV and low-carbon heating systems. The scheme is delivered through local authorities and forms part of the Government's wider Warm Homes Plan.

Eligible homes are typically owner-occupied properties with EPC ratings of D-G and households meeting income or vulnerability criteria. 

2. Boiler Upgrade Scheme (England and Wales)

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) provides grants towards replacing fossil fuel heating systems with low-carbon heating technologies. Current grants include:

• £7,500 towards an air source heat pump
• £7,500 towards a ground or water source heat pump
• £5,000 towards a biomass boiler (where eligible)
• £2,500 towards an air-to-air heat pump
  Eligible off-gas-grid properties replacing oil or LPG heating systems may receive up to £9,000 until 31 March 2027.

The scheme is available to homeowners, landlords and some small businesses. 

3. ECO4 (Until 31 December 2026)

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme remains available until 31 December 2026 and supports low-income and vulnerable households with measures such as:

• Insulation
• Heating upgrades
• Renewable technologies
• Whole-house retrofit improvements

Funding is generally targeted at households receiving qualifying benefits or referred through local authority flexible eligibility routes.

4. Local Authority and Regional Funding

Many local authorities operate their own energy efficiency schemes using funding from the Warm Homes Plan, public health budgets, net-zero initiatives, or regional retrofit programmes. These may provide support for:

• Insulation
• Solar panels
• Heating upgrades
• Energy advice services

Availability varies by area.

Additional Incentives

The Government continues to apply 0% VAT on the installation of qualifying energy-saving materials, including heat pumps, solar panels and insulation, until 31 March 2027, reducing the overall cost of home improvements.