The Warm Homes Plan is the UK government's £15 billion home energy upgrade programme, targeting 5 million homes in England by 2030 with solar panels, heat pumps, insulation and battery storage. Eligible households (EPC D–G, income ≤£36,000) can receive up to £30,000 of funded upgrades through the Warm Homes Local Grant. Any homeowner can claim £7,500 toward a heat pump through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme regardless of income. In Lancashire, the scheme is delivered by Cosy Homes in Lancashire and installed by MCS-certified businesses like Alliant Energy.
What is the Warm Homes Plan?
The Warm Homes Plan is the Labour government's 2024 flagship energy policy, replacing and expanding on previous schemes such as ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme. It commits £15 billion — including £13.2 billion from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) — toward upgrading the energy efficiency of 5 million homes in England by 2030.
The core aim is to reduce household energy bills and carbon emissions simultaneously. The government has set a target of installing 3 million additional rooftop solar arrays, 600,000 heat pumps per year, and improving millions of poorly insulated homes to at least EPC C. Unlike previous schemes, the Warm Homes Plan isn't a single product — it's an umbrella of funding streams, each targeting a different household type.
What funding streams does the Warm Homes Plan include?
1. Warm Homes Local Grant (WH:LG)
The most significant stream. Up to £30,000 of fully funded home upgrades for households with an EPC rating of D, E, F or G and a gross household income at or below £36,000. In Lancashire, the grant is delivered by Cosy Homes in Lancashire (chil.uk.com).
2. Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
A grant of £7,500 toward an air source heat pump — rising to £9,000 from July 2026 for homes on oil or LPG heating. No income test and no EPC condition: any homeowner in England qualifies. Claimed by your MCS-certified installer; you pay only the net price. Runs until March 2028.
3. Warm Homes Fund (coming 2026)
A £5 billion low- or zero-interest loan fund for households who don't qualify for the grant but still want to upgrade. Details still being confirmed at the time of publication.
Who qualifies for the Warm Homes Plan?
| Funding stream | Income test | EPC required | Who can apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warm Homes Local Grant | ≤£36,000 gross | D, E, F or G | Owner-occupiers & private tenants |
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme | None | None | Any homeowner |
| Warm Homes Fund (loans) | Income-tested (TBC) | TBC | TBC — expected 2026 |
Private tenants can apply for the WH:LG with their landlord's permission. Landlords can apply directly on behalf of their rental properties. If your EPC is C or above, you won't qualify for the WH:LG — but you may still qualify for the BUS heat pump grant, and you can always have solar installed at 0% VAT.
What measures can the Warm Homes Plan fund?
- Solid wall and cavity wall insulation
- Loft insulation and roof insulation
- Air source heat pumps
- Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels
- Battery storage systems
- Heating controls and smart thermostats
- High heat retention storage heaters
- Double or triple glazing (in some cases)
Not every household will receive all measures. Following your free survey, the delivery body recommends the specific package that makes the most difference for your home.
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Free, no-obligation eligibility check for the Warm Homes Plan.
What's the difference between the Warm Homes Plan and ECO4?
ECO4 closed in March 2026 and focused primarily on insulation and heating for low-income households. The Warm Homes Plan is broader: a higher income threshold (£36,000 vs ECO4's stricter benefits-based route), solar panels and batteries are now explicitly included, and the BUS heat pump grant is folded in for higher-income households too. See our full comparison.
How does the Warm Homes Plan work in Lancashire?
England's Warm Homes Local Grant is administered at a local authority level. In Lancashire, the scheme runs through Cosy Homes in Lancashire (chil.uk.com), a partnership between Lancashire County Council and its district councils.
When you apply, Cosy Homes arranges a free home survey. A surveyor assesses your insulation, heating system and EPC rating and produces a tailored recommendation. If your home qualifies, they appoint MCS-certified and TrustMark-registered installers — this is where Alliant Energy comes in. Eligible postcodes include Nelson, Burnley, Blackburn, Blackpool, Preston, Lancaster, Accrington and Chorley. Read our Lancashire how-to-apply guide.
How to apply for the Warm Homes Plan
Warm Homes Local Grant (income ≤£36,000, EPC D–G)
- Contact Cosy Homes in Lancashire at chil.uk.com, or call Alliant Energy and we'll handle the referral.
- Complete a short eligibility pre-check.
- A free survey is arranged — usually within five working days.
- Installation is booked with an approved MCS installer.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (any homeowner, heat pump only)
- Contact Alliant Energy directly — we handle the BUS application for you.
- You pay only the net price after the £7,500 grant is applied (£9,000 for oil/LPG homes from July 2026).
Why MCS certification matters for the Warm Homes Plan
All measures funded under the Warm Homes Plan must be installed by MCS-certified and TrustMark-registered businesses. Alliant Energy holds both, plus NAPIT, RECC, NICEIC and ISO 9001/14001/45001. Be cautious of companies offering 'free grants' who aren't MCS-certified — only MCS installers can lawfully claim BUS grants and carry out funded Warm Homes Plan work.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Warm Homes Plan?
The Warm Homes Plan is the UK government's £15 billion programme to improve energy efficiency in 5 million English homes by 2030. It replaces ECO4 with a broader scheme covering solar panels, heat pumps, insulation and battery storage. The Warm Homes Local Grant provides up to £30,000 for eligible households (EPC D–G, income ≤£36,000). The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers £7,500 to any homeowner for a heat pump.
How is the Warm Homes Plan different from ECO4?
ECO4 closed 31 March 2026. The Warm Homes Plan has a higher income threshold (£36,000 vs ECO4's more restrictive criteria), explicitly includes solar PV and batteries, and offers higher grant values (up to £30,000 vs ECO4's ~£20,000 cap). The BUS heat pump grant — now folded into the WHP umbrella — has no income test and no EPC condition.
Who delivers the Warm Homes Plan in Lancashire?
In Lancashire, the Warm Homes Local Grant is administered by Cosy Homes in Lancashire (chil.uk.com), a council-backed partnership. Funded installations must be carried out by MCS-certified, TrustMark-registered businesses — Alliant Energy meets both requirements. Call 0800 088 4286 to refer your application.
Can I get solar panels free under the Warm Homes Plan?
Yes, if your household has an EPC rating of D–G and gross income at or below £36,000, solar PV can be fully funded through the Warm Homes Local Grant (up to £30,000). Battery storage can be included in the same funded package. If you don't qualify for the grant, solar installations carry 0% VAT — Alliant Energy's private packages start at £5,999.
Related Warm Homes Plan guides
