Explainer

The short version

General information, not advice

ECO4 runs to 31 December 2026 for existing supplier targets, but new places are to confirm.
The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme: £7,500 towards a heat pump in England and Wales.
Warm Home Discount: £150 off electricity, reopening in October 2026, usually paid automatically.

Great British Insulation SchemeClosed 31 Mar 2026Ofgem: Great British Insulation Scheme
Warm Home DiscountReopens October 2026GOV.UK: Warm Home Discount
ECO4Runs to 31 Dec 2026GOV.UK: ECO4 extension
Boiler Upgrade SchemeOpenGOV.UK: Boiler Upgrade Scheme grants

Scheme status, checked 26 September 2026. ECO4's extension is for existing targets; new places are not guaranteed.

The full guide

Which might fit you

Choose what applies. The schemes that may fit are marked below. Nothing you choose is saved or sent.

Your home I own it I rent privately

Your income Lower income, or I get certain benefits

Where you live England or Wales Scotland

All 7 schemes shown. Choose an option to see which may fit.

The schemes, one by one

ECO4

Managed extension until 31 Dec 2026; new places to confirm

Insulation and heating upgrades for households on certain benefits or low incomes. Owners and tenants, with the landlord's consent. Great Britain. Ask an energy supplier or your council whether places remain.

GOV.UK: ECO4 extension · checked 25 September 2026

Warm Homes: Local Grant

Open where councils have funding

Insulation, heat pumps and solar for low-income homeowners and private tenants in England, run through councils. Apply through the official eligibility checker; local funding varies.

GOV.UK: Warm Homes: Local Grant · checked 25 September 2026

Boiler Upgrade Scheme

Open

£7,500 towards an air source or ground source heat pump, for owners in England and Wales. Your installer applies for you. Eligible off-gas homes can receive £9,000. Air-to-air heat pump grants of £2,500 are listed as current; heat batteries: start date to confirm.

GOV.UK: Boiler Upgrade Scheme grants · checked 25 September 2026

Warm Home Discount

Reopens October 2026

£150 off your electricity bill for winter 2026 to 2027. Usually automatic in England and Wales; in Scotland you may need to apply to your supplier.

GOV.UK: Warm Home Discount · checked 25 September 2026

Home Energy Scotland

Open, subject to funding

Grants and interest-free loans for energy improvements in Scotland, including heat pumps. A heat-pump grant of up to £7,500 and an optional interest-free loan of up to £7,500 are listed, subject to eligibility and available funds.

Home Energy Scotland: Grant and Loan · checked 25 September 2026

Warm Homes Plan loans

Coming: launch and terms to confirm

The government's Warm Homes Plan includes low- and zero-interest loans for home upgrades. Public application opening and lender terms remain to confirm.

GOV.UK: Warm Homes Loan Scheme · checked 25 September 2026

Great British Insulation Scheme

Closed 31 Mar 2026

No longer taking applications. If a company offers you GBIS work now, ask what scheme is really paying.

Ofgem: Great British Insulation Scheme · checked 25 September 2026

Watch out for cold calls

Be wary of unsolicited requests for payment up front. You can check a company is registered with the scheme. If someone calls offering “free government insulation”, hang up and contact the scheme or your council directly.

Scheme sources checked 26 September 2026. Status is not a promise of eligibility or available local funding. Always check with the scheme before you commit to anything.

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