UK households have access to more energy grant funding than many realise. The challenge is navigating overlapping schemes with different eligibility criteria, different application routes, and different levels of coverage across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This hub maps the full landscape.
Grants Overview — 2026/27
| Scheme | Who qualifies | What’s covered | Where available |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECO4 | Low income / qualifying benefits / low EPC | Insulation, heating, heat pumps | England, Scotland, Wales |
| GBIS — Great British Insulation Scheme | EPC D or below (broader eligibility) | Single insulation measure | England, Scotland, Wales |
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme | Any homeowner (+ valid EPC) | £7,500 toward heat pump or biomass boiler | England and Wales |
| HUG2 — Home Upgrade Grant | Low income, off-gas homes, EPC E/F/G | Insulation + low-carbon heating | England (via local authorities) |
| Warm Home Discount | Low income / benefits | £150 bill credit | Great Britain |
| Warmer Homes Scotland | Low income / benefits | Insulation + heating systems | Scotland only |
| Nest Wales | Benefits / low income / EPC E–G | Insulation + heating | Wales only |
| LA Flex | Council-identified fuel poverty | ECO4 measures without benefit requirement | England, Scotland, Wales |
ECO4 — The Largest Scheme
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) is the government’s main scheme for improving the energy efficiency of low-income and fuel-poor homes. It runs to March 2026 (with extensions expected), and is funded by the largest energy suppliers, who are legally required to deliver a set amount of energy efficiency measures each year.
ECO4 eligibility routes:
- Receiving qualifying benefits (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, income-based JSA/ESA)
- Living in a property with EPC rating E, F, or G and household income under £31,000
- Local Authority Flexible Eligibility (LA Flex) — council-determined
What ECO4 can install:
- Loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation
- Air source heat pumps
- First-time central heating
- Smart heating controls
→ ECO4 Scheme UK 2026 — Full Guide
Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
GBIS sits alongside ECO4 and is designed to reach a broader range of households — not just those on benefits. It covers one primary insulation measure per property.
GBIS eligibility:
- Group A: Any household with EPC D–G in the lower-income 40% of areas (Council Tax Band A–D in England)
- Group B: Households on qualifying benefits with EPC D–G regardless of area
- One measure per household
→ Great British Insulation Scheme 2026 — Guide
Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2)
HUG2 targets off-gas grid properties — homes that cannot connect to the gas network and typically heat with oil, LPG, or electric storage heaters. These homes are often among the least energy efficient in the country.
HUG2 eligibility: Income under £36,000 per year (or on qualifying benefits) and property EPC E, F, or G.
HUG2 covers: Solid wall insulation, heat pumps, solar panels, and other low-carbon measures.
→ Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2) UK — Guide
Devolved Nation Schemes
Scotland — Warmer Homes Scotland
Scottish Government scheme for households on qualifying benefits or low income. More generous eligibility than ECO4. Delivered through Home Energy Scotland.
→ Warmer Homes Scotland 2026 Guide
Wales — Nest
Welsh Government scheme run by Warm Wales. Covers insulation, heating, and energy advice for qualifying households.
→ Nest Wales Energy Scheme Guide
Energy Company Hardship Funds
Separately from government schemes, every major energy supplier operates a hardship or charitable fund for customers in serious financial difficulty. Eligibility varies by supplier but typically covers one-off bill support, debt write-off, or payment plans.
→ Energy Company Hardship Funds UK 2026/27
LA Flex — Accessing ECO4 Without Benefits
Local Authority Flexible Eligibility lets councils nominate households for ECO4 measures even if they do not receive qualifying benefits. This is particularly useful for people who are fuel poor but above the benefits threshold.
→ Local Authority Flexible Eligibility — Energy Grants Without Benefits
Grants and Schemes Cluster
- ECO4 Scheme UK 2026 — Eligibility, Free Insulation and How to Apply
- Nest Wales Energy Scheme Guide
- Free Solar Panels UK 2026 — Government Schemes
- Energy Company Hardship Funds UK 2026/27
How to Apply — Practical Steps
Applying for energy grants is not a single process — each scheme has its own route. Here is the general approach:
Step 1: Get an EPC (if you do not have one). Most grants require a valid EPC. You can find your property’s existing EPC at the GOV.UK EPC register (free to view). If there is no EPC or it is outdated, a new one costs £60–£120 from an accredited assessor.
Step 2: Check benefit eligibility. If you receive Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or other qualifying benefits, you qualify for the ECO4 route and potentially the Warm Home Discount. Gather your benefit confirmation letters.
Step 3: Approach a registered installer for ECO4 or GBIS. Do not pay anyone upfront for ECO4 measures — they are free. Use only TrustMark-registered or PAS 2030-certified installers. You can find registered installers via the ECO4 provider finder on Ofgem’s website.
Step 4: For the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, obtain quotes from MCS-certified heat pump installers. They will apply for the grant on your behalf — the £7,500 is deducted from your invoice rather than paid to you directly.
Watch out for cold callers claiming to offer free insulation. Doorstep sellers operating under the guise of ECO4 have been associated with poorly installed measures and fraudulent grant claims. Always verify installers independently.
Related Hubs
- Energy Financial Support hub — Warm Home Discount, Cold Weather Payment, fuel poverty
- Green Technology hub — solar, heat pumps, EVs
- Energy Advice for Renters hub — grants renters can access