The start of 2026 has brought meaningful changes to the UK's energy grant landscape. One major scheme has closed. Another has expanded. And the government's longer-term framework is still taking shape.
If you are a homeowner or landlord trying to improve an EPC rating, reduce energy bills, or plan ahead for the 2030 EPC C deadline, understanding which schemes are live — and which are not — is the essential first step.
This post gives you a current state-of-play summary for each major scheme, with practical next steps for different reader situations. For the full background on each scheme, follow the deep-dive links throughout.
Schemes can change at short notice. Always check official government sources and confirm eligibility with an approved installer or adviser before committing to work.
Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) — now closed
Applications for GBIS closed on 31 January 2026. The scheme itself ends on 31 March 2026, and no new applications are being accepted.
GBIS was designed to be a simpler, faster companion to ECO4 — focused primarily on single insulation measures (loft insulation, cavity wall insulation) for homes in Council Tax bands A to D with an EPC rating of D or below. Unlike ECO4, it did not require benefit receipt; a broader group of households could qualify based on property characteristics alone.
If you applied before the 31 January deadline, your installation may still go ahead before the scheme end date. If you missed the window, the options now are:
- ECO4 — still available until March 2026 for eligible households (see below)
- Local Warm Homes routes — emerging as the next wave of insulation support
- Local authority schemes — check your council's energy pages for area-specific programmes
For insulation context and costs: EPC improvement costs in 2026
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) — still live and expanded
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is the main national grant for low-carbon heating and it has been expanded since late 2025. It is available to homeowners in England and Wales replacing fossil fuel heating systems.
Current grant levels:
| Technology | Grant amount | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Air source heat pump (ASHP) | £7,500 | — |
| Ground source heat pump (GSHP) | £7,500 | — |
| Biomass boiler | £5,000 | Rural, off-gas-grid only |
| Air-to-air heat pump | £2,500 | Added late 2025 |
| Heat battery | £2,500 | Added late 2025 |
The grant is applied for by the registered installer — you do not need to claim it separately. The upfront cost you pay is reduced by the grant amount directly.
To access BUS, you generally need to own the property and have a reasonably efficient building fabric (or be willing to improve it alongside the heating upgrade).
For more on heat pump costs and the comparison with gas boilers:
ECO4 — extended to March 2026
ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation) remains the primary route for low-income and vulnerable households to access funded insulation and heating upgrades. It is funded by large energy suppliers under a legal obligation and runs until March 2026.
ECO4 covers a wide package of improvements, including loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation, heating system upgrades, and first-time central heating. Unlike GBIS, it takes a whole-house approach — the scheme aims to lift properties by at least two EPC bands as part of a coordinated package.
Who qualifies
ECO4 is primarily benefits-linked. Your household generally needs to receive at least one qualifying benefit (such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or Child Tax Credit) and your property typically needs to be rated EPC D, E, F, or G. A flexible eligibility route via your local authority (LA Flex) is also available for households in fuel poverty who do not receive benefits.
Act now — the deadline is close
With ECO4 ending in March 2026, installer capacity is tightening and lead times are lengthening. If you think you qualify, the time to act is now. Starting the process early gives you the best chance of completing installation before the scheme closes.
A successor scheme (sometimes called ECO5) is expected but not yet confirmed. Eligibility criteria may change, so qualifying now does not guarantee you will qualify under a future scheme.
For the full eligibility guide, application steps, and landlord-specific information: ECO4 eligibility 2026
Warm Homes Plan — emerging framework
The Warm Homes Plan is the government's successor framework to previous home energy programmes. It is designed to provide grants and support for insulation and clean heating, particularly for lower-income households and fuel-poor homes, delivered through local authorities and regional partners.
As of February 2026, the full detail of what local programmes will be available — measures covered, eligibility criteria, and funding levels — is still being confirmed. Delivery varies significantly by local authority. Two households with similar circumstances can get very different outcomes depending on postcode, because councils set their own criteria and procurement timetables.
Warm Homes: Local Grant is the main local delivery vehicle in England. It typically covers insulation-led packages and some heating upgrades, but the exact scope depends on your local authority's current funding tranche and contractor framework.
Practical advice if you are waiting on Warm Homes funding:
- Do not put everything on hold. Run parallel checks on ECO4 and BUS routes now.
- Join your council's interest or waiting list as soon as they open intake.
- Check whether your area is part of a regional consortium — intake may be open via a partner organisation even when the council's own page looks inactive.
- Proceed with low-cost, no-regret improvements (loft insulation top-up, heating controls) while you wait.
For the detailed guide on how local delivery works and how to navigate application processes: Warm Homes: Local Grant 2026
For the full picture of how these schemes fit together: Home energy grants UK: complete guide
What this means for landlords
The grants landscape matters particularly for landlords because of the £10,000 cost cap that applies under the confirmed EPC C by 2030 rules.
The cost cap and grant interaction
From 1 October 2025, spending on qualifying energy efficiency improvements counts toward the £10,000 cost cap per property. Any work funded by a grant also counts — so grants and private spending can work together toward the cap.
This means using grant funding strategically reduces how much of the cap you need to fund privately. A landlord who accesses ECO4 or BUS for the main heating or insulation work has more of the £10,000 cap available for improvements the grants do not cover.
What landlords can access in 2026
- BUS: Directly available for heat pump installations. The landlord (as property owner) applies via the installer.
- ECO4: Available where the tenant meets eligibility criteria. The landlord must give written consent and may be asked to contribute toward costs. Both parties benefit — the tenant gets lower bills, the landlord gets an improved EPC rating.
- Warm Homes local routes: Some programmes include private rented properties, but this is locally determined. Rules tend to be stricter than for owner-occupiers, and landlord contribution requirements vary.
The urgency case
With 2.5 to 2.9 million privately rented homes in England and Wales currently below band C, contractor availability will tighten significantly as October 2030 approaches. Accessing grant funding now, while it is available, is significantly better than paying the full cost privately under time pressure later.
Fines for non-compliance with the 2030 standard are confirmed at up to £30,000 per property.
For the full landlord compliance picture:
Practical next steps
The right next step depends on your situation. Here is a decision guide by reader type.
If you are a homeowner on a low income or benefits
- Check whether you qualify for ECO4 now — contact your energy supplier or an ECO-approved installer.
- If ECO4 is not available to you, ask your local authority about Warm Homes local routes.
- Check whether BUS applies if you are considering replacing your heating system with a heat pump.
- Use your EPC recommendations as your guide to which improvements matter most.
If you are a homeowner not on benefits
- The main grant available to you is BUS, if you are installing a heat pump.
- Check your local authority's website for any area-based programmes — some run open schemes without income conditions.
- Prioritise fabric improvements (insulation) before heating upgrades — they are often cheaper, faster, and funded under more schemes.
- Use the EPC improvement costs guide to understand what you are likely to spend privately.
If you are a landlord
- Check your EPC rating for every property now.
- If any property is below band C, identify the recommended improvements and get quotes.
- Check whether ECO4 applies — speak to tenants about their eligibility, because their qualifying status unlocks the route.
- Explore BUS for properties where a heat pump makes sense.
- Keep all receipts from October 2025 onward — every pound of qualifying spend counts toward the £10,000 cap.
- Do not wait until 2029 to start. Installers will be fully booked.
For everyone: start with your EPC
Before spending a pound on improvements, know your current rating and what your EPC recommends. The recommendations table on your certificate tells you which measures are expected to improve your rating and by roughly how much.
You can also browse EPC data by area to see how your property compares locally: Browse EPC data by area
FAQs
What energy grants are available in the UK in 2026?
The main schemes are:
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS): £7,500 for heat pumps, £5,000 for biomass boilers, £2,500 for air-to-air heat pumps and heat batteries. Open to eligible homeowners in England and Wales.
- ECO4: Funded insulation and heating for eligible low-income households. Runs until March 2026.
- Warm Homes local delivery routes: Area-based insulation and retrofit support. Availability and criteria vary by council.
GBIS closed to new applications on 31 January 2026.
Is the Great British Insulation Scheme still open?
No. GBIS closed to new applications on 31 January 2026 and the scheme ends on 31 March 2026. If you applied before the deadline, your installation may still proceed. For new applicants, the alternatives are ECO4 (until March 2026), local Warm Homes routes, and local authority programmes.
How much is the heat pump grant in 2026?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme currently offers £7,500 for air source and ground source heat pumps, £5,000 for biomass boilers (rural, off-gas-grid only), and £2,500 each for air-to-air heat pumps and heat batteries — both categories added in late 2025. The grant is applied by the installer and reduces the amount you pay directly.
Can landlords get energy efficiency grants?
Yes. Landlords can access BUS for heat pump installations on properties they own. ECO4 is available where tenants meet eligibility criteria — the landlord must provide written consent and may be asked to contribute. Some local Warm Homes programmes include private rented properties. Grant funding also counts toward the £10,000 landlord cost cap, making it valuable to access before spending privately.
What replaced GBIS?
There is no single direct replacement. The Warm Homes Plan is the government's successor framework, delivered through local authorities and regional partners. ECO4 continues until March 2026 for eligible households. Local authority area-based schemes fill some of the gap left by GBIS, though availability varies significantly by location.
Where to go next
The schemes change frequently. Check official government guidance before making any financial decisions, and work with accredited installers who can confirm current eligibility on your behalf.
Start with your EPC: Check your EPC rating by postcode
Useful deep dives: