The Warm Homes: Local Grant is a live UK government scheme that pays for energy efficiency improvements and low-carbon heating in eligible homes in England. Backed by £500 million and delivered by local councils from April 2025 to March 2028, it is designed to make lower-income households warmer and cheaper to heat1.
Understanding the grants available is a smart first step to cutting your heating costs. Fuse Energy complements any home upgrade with clear pricing and real-time usage data, so you can see exactly where your energy goes. Click here to switch to Fuse Energy today.
The Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH:LG) is a government-funded scheme that gives eligible households free energy-saving improvements to their home. It replaces earlier local schemes and forms part of the wider Warm Homes Plan, the government's programme to upgrade the least efficient homes and cut fuel poverty1.
Rather than paying you cash, the scheme funds and organises the work itself. Your local council assesses your home, agrees which improvements make sense, then arranges and pays for the installation. You do not pay for the measures the council agrees to fund1.
Who runs the scheme
The grant is funded by central government but delivered by individual local authorities in England, each with its own funding allocation. Because councils administer it locally, the exact measures on offer and the speed of delivery can vary from one area to another1.
What it covers
The scheme focuses on energy performance and low-carbon heating. Typical measures include:
- Insulation: loft, cavity wall, solid wall, and underfloor insulation to keep heat in.
- Low-carbon heating: air source heat pumps and other efficient heating upgrades.
- Solar panels: to help generate your own electricity where suitable.
- Heating controls: smart thermostats and controls to help you use less energy.
The goal is to raise the property's energy efficiency, lower bills, and reduce carbon emissions.
Eligibility is based on where you live, who owns the home, its energy rating, and household income. To qualify, your home must1:
- Be in England: separate schemes cover Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland (see below).
- Be privately owned: either owner-occupied or privately rented (with the landlord's involvement).
- Have an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G: the scheme targets the least efficient homes. If you do not know your rating, you can find it when you apply.
The income routes explained
There are three main ways to meet the income test. The first is the £36,000 household income threshold. The second is receiving certain means-tested benefits. The third is living in an eligible postcode within the lowest income areas, measured using the Indices of Multiple Deprivation. Meeting any one of these routes can be enough, so it is worth checking even if you think your income is slightly too high1.
The simplest way to apply is through the official GOV.UK eligibility checker.
Step by step
- Check your eligibility online: use the GOV.UK Warm Homes: Local Grant service to see whether you qualify.
- Submit your details: if you look eligible and your council has funding available, the service passes your contact details to your local authority.
- Wait for your council: the council will usually contact you within 10 working days to gather more information.
- Arrange a home survey: the council assesses your home to decide which improvements would help most.
- Confirm the work: once the measures are agreed, the council organises and pays for the installation.
What you will need
Have the right documents ready to avoid delays. This usually means evidence of your household income (including any benefits), proof that you own or privately rent the property, and your home's EPC rating if you already have it. If you need help applying, the government runs an assisted digital support helpline on 0800 098 79501.
The Warm Homes: Local Grant only covers England. If you live elsewhere in the UK, similar support is available through devolved schemes: Warmer Homes Scotland in Scotland, the Warm Homes Programme (Nest) in Wales, and the Affordable Warmth Scheme in Northern Ireland. Eligibility and measures differ, so check your nation's scheme directly.
A grant-funded upgrade is a one-off boost, but managing your energy well is an ongoing habit. Fuse Energy helps you get more from any efficiency improvements you make.
Transparent pricing and smart tools
Fuse Energy provides clear pricing and real-time usage data through the app, so you can see how much energy you use and when. That insight helps you spot savings, track the impact of a new heat pump or insulation, and manage your budget with confidence.
24/7 human customer support
Energy questions can arise at any time, so Fuse Energy offers round-the-clock human customer support. Whether you are querying a bill or checking your usage after an upgrade, our team is available whenever you need it.
Ready to take control of your home energy? Fuse Energy makes managing your electricity and gas simple, with clear pricing, detailed usage data, and dedicated 24/7 human support. Click here to get started. You can also learn more about our mission to make energy abundant by clicking here.
References
- GOV.UK. Apply for the Warm Homes: Local Grant to improve a home
