Energy Grants Available in Scotland
Scotland has its own energy efficiency programmes on top of the UK-wide schemes, giving Scottish households more routes to free insulation, heating, and energy improvements than the rest of the UK. Whether you own your home, rent privately, or live in social housing, there's likely a scheme that can help you.
Here's a summary of every major energy grant available in Scotland in 2026:
| Scheme | What You Get | Who Qualifies | How to Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warmer Homes Scotland | Free insulation, boilers, heat pumps, heating systems | Low-income homeowners/private tenants with qualifying benefits or vulnerability | Home Energy Scotland referral |
| Home Energy Scotland Loans | Interest-free loans up to £7,500 + cashback grants | All Scottish homeowners (no means test) | Home Energy Scotland |
| ECO4 | Free insulation, boilers, heat pumps | Qualifying benefits + EPC D or below | Energy supplier or installer |
| GBIS | Free insulation | Council tax bands A-E in Scotland (no benefits needed) | Energy supplier or installer |
| Warm Home Discount | £150 off electricity bill | Pension Credit or qualifying benefits + low income | Automatic or via energy supplier |
One number for everything: Call Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 (free, Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-5pm). They act as a single gateway to all energy schemes in Scotland and will assess which ones you qualify for.
Warmer Homes Scotland
Warmer Homes Scotland is the Scottish Government's flagship energy efficiency programme, replacing the former HEEPS:ABS scheme. It's managed by Warmworks and provides completely free energy improvements to qualifying households. This is the most generous grant scheme available in Scotland — there is no cap on the value of work per household.
What You Can Get
- Loft insulation — new or top-up to recommended depth
- Cavity wall insulation
- Solid wall insulation — internal or external
- Underfloor insulation
- Boiler replacement — new energy-efficient gas or LPG boiler
- Air source heat pump — for off-gas properties
- New central heating system — including radiators and pipework
- Draught-proofing and ventilation
Who Qualifies
Warmer Homes Scotland is aimed at households vulnerable to fuel poverty. You may qualify if you meet at least one of these criteria:
- You receive a qualifying benefit — Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income Support, income-based JSA, income-related ESA, Child Tax Credit, or Working Tax Credit
- You are aged 75 or over
- You have a disability or long-term health condition made worse by living in a cold home
- You have been referred by Home Energy Scotland based on a vulnerability assessment
You must be a homeowner or private-sector tenant (with landlord consent). Social housing tenants are covered by their housing association's own programmes.
Home Energy Scotland Loans & Cashback
Home Energy Scotland (HES) offers interest-free loans of up to £7,500 for energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy systems. These loans are available to all Scottish homeowners regardless of income — there is no means test.
What the Loan Covers
- Insulation — loft, cavity wall, solid wall, underfloor
- Boiler replacement — to a more efficient model
- Heat pumps — air source or ground source
- Solar panels — photovoltaic systems
- Double or triple glazing
- Home energy storage batteries
Cashback Grants
On top of the interest-free loan, certain improvements qualify for cashback grants that you don't need to repay:
- Heat pumps: up to £7,500 cashback
- Biomass boilers: up to £2,500 cashback
- Solar panels: cashback available (amount varies)
- Insulation: cashback may be available depending on current funding
Loans are repayable over up to 10 years with zero interest. You can repay early at any time without penalty.
Example: A Scottish homeowner installing an air source heat pump costing £12,000 could receive a £7,500 HES interest-free loan plus £7,500 cashback — effectively getting the heat pump for free or at minimal cost. If they also qualify for the UK-wide Boiler Upgrade Scheme (£7,500 grant), the combination can cover the entire cost.
ECO4 in Scotland
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) is a UK-wide scheme that also operates in Scotland. Energy companies fund free insulation, boiler replacements, and heat pumps for qualifying households. The scheme rules are broadly the same across the UK, but there are some Scotland-specific differences:
- Council tax thresholds — ECO4 flex referrals in Scotland use Scottish council tax bands, which have different property value boundaries than English bands
- Local authority flex — Scottish councils can refer households they consider vulnerable to fuel poverty, even if they don't receive qualifying benefits
- Coordination with Warmer Homes Scotland — Home Energy Scotland advisors can identify whether ECO4 or Warmer Homes Scotland is the better fit for your situation
ECO4 Qualifying Benefits (Same Across UK)
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit (Guarantee or Savings Credit)
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Child Tax Credit (income under £16,385)
- Working Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
GBIS in Scotland
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) provides free insulation for homes that meet specific criteria. In Scotland, the key difference is the council tax band threshold:
- Scotland: Council tax bands A-E qualify
- England: Council tax bands A-D qualify
This wider eligibility in Scotland reflects the different council tax banding system — Scottish band E covers a similar property value range to English band D. Through GBIS, you can receive free loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, or other insulation measures without needing to be on benefits.
Warm Home Discount in Scotland
The Warm Home Discount provides a £150 discount on your electricity bill each winter. In Scotland, as in the rest of the UK, there are two qualifying groups:
- Core group 1: You receive Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit) — discount applied automatically
- Core group 2: You receive a qualifying benefit and your energy costs are high relative to your income — you'll receive a letter if you qualify
How to Access Energy Grants in Scotland
The simplest route to all energy grants in Scotland is through Home Energy Scotland. Here's the step-by-step process:
- Call 0808 808 2282 (free) or visit homeenergyscotland.org
- Speak to an advisor — they'll ask about your home, circumstances, and energy bills
- Get assessed — they'll identify which schemes you qualify for
- Get referred — for Warmer Homes Scotland, ECO4, or other suitable schemes
- Home survey — a qualified surveyor visits to assess what work is needed
- Installation — approved installers carry out the work at no cost to you
You can also use our eligibility checker for a quick initial assessment based on your postcode.