The Warm Homes Plan draws together ECO4, the Great British Insulation Scheme and new funding into a single, more ambitious programme — aiming to make a million homes warmer and cheaper to heat each year. For the first time, a whole-house package (insulation + heat pump + solar) is available to eligible households.
What is the Warm Homes Plan?
Announced by the Labour government, the Warm Homes Plan is a £13.2 billion commitment that significantly expands previous home energy grant schemes. It targets lower-income and fuel-poor households first, but eligibility is broader than many people assume.
Status
What measures are covered?
| Measure | Covered? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Loft insulation | Yes | One of the most commonly funded measures |
| Cavity wall insulation | Yes | Where property has unfilled cavity walls |
| Solid wall insulation (internal) | Yes | For pre-1920s solid-brick properties |
| Solar panels | Yes | As part of a whole-house package for eligible households |
| Battery storage | Yes | Can be included alongside solar |
| Air source heat pump | Yes | Often combined with insulation measures |
| First-time central heating | Yes | For properties without central heating |
| Smart heating controls | Yes | Thermostats, smart TRVs |
| Draught-proofing | Yes | Lower-cost measure, often included in packages |
| New gas boiler | Limited | Focus is on low-carbon alternatives |
Who qualifies?
Eligibility is primarily based on household income and property energy efficiency. The Warm Homes Plan targets owner-occupiers and private renters (with landlord consent) who are:
- Receiving means-tested benefits (Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, Income Support, Income-related ESA or JSA, Pension Credit)
- Living in a property with an EPC rating of D, E, F or G
- In fuel poverty or at risk of fuel poverty
Also potentially eligible: households with a combined income below £36,000/year (in some areas and phases), or where a resident has a long-term health condition that makes cold homes particularly risky. Social housing tenants are covered through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.
Don't self-exclude
How much can you get?
| Package type | Typical value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Insulation only (single measure) | Up to £3,000–£5,000 | Loft or cavity wall, fully funded for eligible households |
| Insulation + heating controls | Up to £5,000–£7,000 | Common package for lower-income households |
| Insulation + solar | Up to £8,000–£12,000 | Whole-house energy reduction package |
| Solar + battery + heat pump | Up to £12,000–£20,000+ | Full low-carbon package for deepest retrofit |
These are indicative values. Actual funding depends on your property's condition, the measures identified by the survey, and the funding stream. In some cases, the full cost of all measures is covered; in others, a contribution may be required.
Check your eligibility in minutes
Free, no-obligation eligibility check as part of our home energy review.
How is it delivered?
The Warm Homes Plan is delivered through approved installers — not directly by the government. You (or an installer like Alliant) assess your eligibility; a retrofit assessor surveys the property and recommends a package; measures are approved under the relevant funding stream; an approved installer carries out the work — at no cost if fully funded; you receive a new EPC reflecting the improvement.
Alliant is an approved installer under the relevant funding schemes. We handle the eligibility check, the assessment and the installation — you don't need to navigate the application process alone.
How the Warm Homes Plan differs from ECO4
| Feature | ECO4 (previous) | Warm Homes Plan (current) |
|---|---|---|
| Funding scale | ~£4bn over 4 years | £13.2bn committed |
| Measures covered | Insulation and heating | Insulation, heating, solar, battery, heat pumps |
| Eligibility | Means-tested benefits or low EPC | Broader — income threshold + low EPC, health conditions |
| Approach | Individual measures | Whole-house retrofit approach |
| Private renters | Limited | Included — with landlord consent pathway |
| Social housing | Separate SHDF | Integrated |
Frequently asked questions
Has the Warm Homes Plan replaced ECO4?
The Warm Homes Plan builds on and extends ECO4. Some ECO4 funding has continued as a transitional mechanism while the Warm Homes Plan rolls out. In practice, the two schemes overlap — the combined available funding is greater and the eligible measures broader than under ECO4 alone.
Can I get solar panels for free under the Warm Homes Plan?
Yes, for eligible households. Solar panels are included as a Warm Homes Plan measure, typically as part of a package. A household receiving insulation, a heat pump and solar can have all three covered — with a total value of £12,000–£20,000+.
How long does it take from application to installation?
From eligibility check to survey typically takes 2–4 weeks; from survey to installation approval, a further 4–8 weeks; installation itself is then scheduled in the normal way. We manage this process for our customers.
I'm a private renter. Can I access Warm Homes Plan funding?
Yes — private renters are included, though with a requirement for landlord consent for installation. There's a landlord pathway in the scheme design to facilitate this.
