You may be able to get help to make your home warmer and cheaper to heat.
For example, you may be able to get help with insulation or heating.
What you can get depends on where you live, your home and your circumstances.
What Help Is Available?
Some schemes can help pay for work such as:
- loft insulation
- wall insulation
- floor insulation
- heating improvements
- heating controls
- heat pumps
- solar panels
However, not every home needs the same work.
So, the first step is to find out what your home needs.
Where Does Your Home Lose Heat?
If your home is hard to keep warm, heat may be escaping through the:
- roof
- walls
- floors
- windows
- doors
- gaps and draughts
Insulation can help slow this heat loss.
However, the right work depends on your home.
Learn more: Insulation and Heat Loss →
Check Your EPC
Your Energy Performance Certificate, or EPC, can be a useful starting point.
It gives your home an energy rating.
It may also suggest ways to improve it.
However, an EPC is a guide. It is not a shopping list.
Check whether each improvement makes sense for your home before going ahead.
Learn more: Your EPC Explained →
Help in England
If you live in England, the Warm Homes: Local Grant may help.
It is aimed at lower-income households in homes that use more energy.
Help can include insulation, heating and other improvements.
Your home and household will need to meet the scheme rules.
If you may qualify, your home can then be checked to see what work is suitable.
ECO4
You may also hear about ECO4.
This scheme helps some households improve their homes.
Help can include insulation and heating work.
ECO4 is due to run until the end of 2026.
The rules can be complicated, so you do not need to work them all out yourself.
Instead, check whether your home and household may qualify.
What About Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
The schemes are different across the UK.
So, start with where you live.
If you are in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, check the current home energy help available there.
Your local council or the official energy advice service for your area is a good place to start.
If You Rent
Renting does not always mean you cannot get help.
However, your landlord may need to agree to the work.
If you rent privately, ask what the scheme requires.
If you rent from a council or housing association, ask your landlord what help is available.
Check Your Council
It is also worth checking your local council.
Some energy schemes are run through councils.
There may also be local help that is not available everywhere.
So, check what is available in your area.
Will You Have to Pay?
Maybe.
Some work can be fully paid for.
For other work, you or your landlord may need to pay something.
Before agreeing, ask:
- What work will be done?
- How much will it cost?
- How much will I have to pay?
- Who will do the work?
- What guarantee will I get?
Get the important details in writing.
Is the Work Right for Your Home?
Free work is not automatically good work.
The improvement still needs to suit your home.
For example, the right insulation depends on the building.
Also, a heat pump needs to be the right size and properly installed.
So, ask why the work is being recommended.
Do not agree simply because someone says it is free.
Be Careful With Cold Callers
Be careful if someone phones, emails or knocks on your door and says you qualify for a grant.
Do not feel pressured to agree.
Instead, check the scheme yourself.
Then check the company before letting it work on your home.
If you are unsure, take your time.
Where to Start
Want to make your home warmer?
Start here:
- Check your EPC.
- Look for signs of heat loss.
- Check what help is available where you live.
- See whether you may qualify.
- Get your home checked if needed.
- Find out exactly what work is being offered.
- Check whether you need to pay anything.
- Check the installer before agreeing.
Key Points
- You may be able to get help with insulation or heating.
- The help available depends on where you live.
- Start by finding out what your home needs.
- Check whether you need to pay towards the work.
- Do not agree to work until you know it is right for your home.
Start with your home. Then check what help you can get.
Important Information
Energility provides general information to help you understand energy, household and business costs, services and ways to save money. It is not financial, legal, tax, technical or professional advice.
Prices, tariffs, grants, government schemes, regulations and other information can change. Costs, savings and calculator results are estimates and your actual results may be different.
Before making an important financial decision, signing a contract or carrying out significant work, check the latest information and consider getting advice from a suitably qualified professional where needed.
Energility may receive a commission or other benefit from some links or services. Where this applies, we aim to make it clear. This does not increase the price you pay unless stated otherwise.
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