As temperatures drop and the cost of living continues to rise, energy bills are becoming one of the biggest financial pressures for UK households. Following Ofgem’s latest changes to the energy price cap, heating costs are now higher than ever. Find out how the government’s Help to Heat schemes could support you this winter, and whether you’re eligible, below.
What are the Help to Heat Schemes?
The Help to Heat schemes are government-funded energy grants designed to make homes cheaper to heat by improving insulation and replacing inefficient heating systems. If you’re eligible, you could receive free or subsidised upgrades to your home, helping to lower your energy bills and reduce long-term costs.
There are four types of Help to Heat schemes available for eligible households, including:
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme
- Warm Homes: Local Grant
- Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund
- Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives eligible households (or businesses) money to pay for part of the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems (e.g. an oil, gas, electric or LPG/Liquified Petroleum Gas boiler) with a heat pump or biomass boiler (heats buildings by burning organic materials like wood pellets, chips or logs). This grant is only available in England and Wales.
Who’s Eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
If both of the following statements are true in your case, you are eligible for a boiler upgrade grant:
- You own the property you’re applying for (including if it’s a business, a second home, or a property you rent out to tenants)
- You are replacing a fossil fuel heating system
Important information to note:
- You’ll still be eligible for this grant even if you’ve already received funding to make your property more energy efficient (e.g. by insulating it)
- Your boiler installer must commission and install your new heat pump within 120 days of applying for the grant, or you will no longer be eligible
- Your property must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- If you’re unsure whether your property is suitable for a heat pump or biomass boiler, speak to an MCS-certified installer
- This grant is not available for most new-build properties (e.g. if the developer is still building it), social housing, or a property that has already received government funding/support for a heat pump/biomass boiler
- If you move into a finished new-build home with a fossil fuel boiler, you may be able to get a grant for a heat pump under this scheme
- For self-build properties, if you (or the original owner) built it yourself/themselves, or you/they paid a builder to build it – your property may be eligible (but only if it has never been owned by a business or organisation)
- If the above is true in your case, you’ll need to show your boiler installer proof that your property is a self-build, e.g. a copy of the title deeds
You will only be able to get this grant for a biomass boiler if all of the following statements are true in your case:
- Your property is off the gas grid
- Your property is in a rural location (check Ofgem’s guidance for property owners if you’re unsure)
- Your boiler has an emissions certificate showing that polluting emissions are kept to a minimum
- You don’t own a self-build property
Important Links:
- View the eligibility criteria for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
- How to apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Warm Homes: Local Grant
The Warm Homes: Local Grant provides energy efficiency measures and low-carbon heating to low-income households in England. You might be able to get funding from a different scheme if you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
If you’re eligible and your local council has funding available, they will arrange a home survey to see how your property could be made more energy efficient. This could include installing:
- Wall, loft and underfloor insulation
- Air source heat pumps
- Smart controls
- Solar panels
Your local council will then organise and pay for any improvement work they’ve agreed with you. You won’t need to pay anything, but if you have a landlord, they may need to pay for some of the improvements.
Who’s Eligible for the Warm Homes: Local Grant?
You may qualify if:
- You live in England
- Your property is privately owned (either by you or your landlord)
- Your property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating is D, E, F or G
- Your household income is usually £36,000 per year or less
If your household income is over £36,000 per year, you may still be eligible if you either:
- Live in a certain postcode area, OR
- Someone in your household is getting certain benefits
Check your eligibility for the Warm Homes: Local Grant and apply via gov.uk.
Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (Wave 3)
Wave 3 of the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund offers government funding for landlords, local authorities and housing associations to make their social homes (in England only) better-insulated and cheaper to heat.
During the government’s 2024 Autumn Budget, Rachel Reeves confirmed £1.29 billion of funding for this scheme for 2025-2028. Organisations have until 30th September 2028 to complete the improvement works.
If your property is eligible, your social housing provider will contact you. Properties with EPCs of D or below will be prioritised.
Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a requirement for energy suppliers to help households reduce the costs of heating their home by fitting energy-saving measures, which could include:
- Insulation work, e.g. for your loft or cavity walls
- Replacing or repairing your boiler (or other upgrades to your heating system)
Support will vary based on your energy supplier, so you will need to check with them to confirm if you are eligible.
There have been some quality issues with certain solid wall insulation fitted through this scheme. Check what to do if you’re concerned about the insulation you’ve had fitted through a government scheme. If the installer or company that carried out the work does not solve the problem, contact Citizens Advice.
Who’s Eligible for the ECO Scheme?
You may be able to receive support for installing energy-saving improvements in your home if you either:
- Claim certain benefits and live in private housing (e.g. you own your own home or rent from a private landlord), OR
- Live in social housing
If you rent from a private landlord, the property must have an energy efficiency rating of E, F or G. You must also have their permission to do the work.
Which Benefits Make You Eligible?
- Universal Credit
- Pension Guarantee Credit
- Pension Savings Credit
- Income Support
- Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Child Benefit
- Housing Benefit
Reminder: Several state benefit payments are due to rise after Rachel Reeves’ 2025 Budget announcement. Try our benefits calculator to see which ones you qualify for today, or visit gov.uk for more information on who’s eligible and how to apply.
Additional information to note:
- If you live in social housing that has an energy efficiency rating of E, F or G, you may be eligible for help with insulation or installing a heating system for the first time
- You can contact your local council to find out if they’re taking part in the ECO scheme, or contact a participating energy supplier directly
- Installers or agents might contact you directly about this scheme, but it’s important to look out for signs of scams. If you’re unsure, contact your local council or the energy supplier the caller is claiming to represent so you can check.
Don’t Miss Out on ‘Help to Heat’ Support
Did you know, 68% of people receiving help from the government feel ashamed of seeking support? We’re here to reassure you not to feel embarrassed about simply claiming the funding you’re entitled to.
If rising energy bills are taking a toll on your finances, Help to Heat could be the vital support you’re missing out on. Contact Angel Advance to get free*, confidential debt advice over the phone, via email, through WhatsApp, or in a webchat. Alternatively, try our free online debt advice tool today. It takes less than 15 minutes to complete, and it’s available at any time – day or night.
*Our advice is free, but if you sign up for a debt solution, a fee will apply for some solutions.
