UK households face some of the highest energy bills in Europe, and the cheapest unit of energy is still the one you don't have to use. That is the principle behind the patchwork of grants, obligations and subsidies that have been rolled out across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This guide unpicks the main schemes available in 2026, who they help, what they pay for and how to avoid the cold-call scams that often follow real schemes around.
ECO4 and the great British insulation drive
The Energy Company Obligation, currently in its fourth phase as ECO4, is the largest single source of free or heavily subsidised home energy upgrades in Great Britain. It is paid for by larger energy suppliers and targeted at low-income and vulnerable households. ECO4 funds insulation, heating upgrades and, in some cases, full retrofits where the home has a low Energy Performance Certificate rating.
Eligibility is mostly tied to income-related benefits such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, income-based ESA and Child Tax Credits. Homes also need to fall within poorer EPC bands to qualify, typically D, E, F or G depending on the measure. The Great British Insulation Scheme, often shortened to GBIS, sits alongside ECO4 and focuses specifically on single insulation measures for households in lower council tax bands and lower EPC ratings.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and heat pump grants
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides flat grants towards the cost of replacing a fossil-fuel boiler with a low-carbon heat pump or, in limited cases, a biomass boiler. As of 2026 the grant is up to £7,500 for an air source heat pump and the same for ground source. Households need an EPC issued in the last ten years with no outstanding insulation recommendations, although there are exemptions for listed buildings.
The grant is applied for by the installer, not the homeowner, and is taken off the price of the installation. That keeps the process simple but also means the choice of installer matters enormously. Always get at least three quotes from MCS-certified firms and check that the heat loss survey looks realistic for your property.
Warm Homes, Nest and other regional schemes
England is rolling out the Warm Homes Plan, replacing the older Home Upgrade Grant. It provides funding through local authorities for households off the gas grid, particularly in colder, hard-to-treat homes. Scotland has its own Warmer Homes Scotland scheme delivered by Warmworks, and Wales runs Nest, which offers free advice plus capital improvements to qualifying households. Northern Ireland uses the Affordable Warmth Scheme via the Housing Executive.
Each scheme has its own eligibility quirks but they share a common pattern: a phone or online application, a home survey and then a tailored package of measures. Waiting times have stretched in 2025 and 2026 because demand has run ahead of installer capacity, so applying early in the season is sensible.
Solar, batteries and the smart export tariff
Solar PV is no longer covered by a feed-in tariff but householders can sell unused electricity back to the grid through the Smart Export Guarantee. Combined with a properly sized battery and a time-of-use tariff, this can dramatically improve payback periods. Some local authorities run Solar Together group-buying schemes that get installation prices significantly below the high-street average.
Be cautious of telesales calls promising fully-funded solar. Most are simply finance-funded installations dressed up as grants. A reputable installer will give you written quotes, an MCS certificate, a Renewable Energy Consumer Code logo and a clear payback projection.
Avoiding scams and getting impartial advice
Whenever a national scheme is launched, scammers follow. They phone, doorknock or text claiming to be from the council or your energy supplier and ask for personal details, bank statements or upfront payments. Legitimate grant schemes never ask for upfront payment from eligible households.
Use independent sources such as Citizens Advice, the Energy Saving Trust and the official GOV.UK pages to check before sharing any details. Local Energy Hubs also offer free, impartial advice and can point you to the right scheme for your home and situation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a free boiler in 2026?
Some households on income-related benefits with poor EPC ratings can get a fully funded heating upgrade through ECO4, but a like-for-like gas boiler swap is increasingly being replaced by air source heat pump installations.
Do I need to own my home?
Many ECO4 measures are open to owner-occupiers and to private tenants with landlord permission. Some Warm Homes funding requires you to own the property.
Are heat pumps actually cheaper to run?
In a well-insulated home with a properly sized system and a heat-pump-friendly tariff, running costs are usually lower than oil and competitive with gas. In poorly insulated homes the savings can be marginal.