How much is the ECO4 grant worth in 2026?

ECO4 grants cover the full cost of eligible improvements — typically £1,500–£12,000 depending on the measure. Cavity wall insulation is worth £1,500–£3,000, loft insulation £500–£1,500, solar panels £5,000–£8,000, and air source heat pumps £8,000–£12,000. There is no cost to qualifying homeowners.

What benefits qualify me for ECO4 in 2026?

Universal Credit, Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit), Income-based JSA, Income-related ESA, Income Support, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit (income under £19,900), and Working Tax Credit all qualify. You can also qualify through LA Flex without benefits if your council refers you.

Can I get more than one energy grant at the same time?

Yes. You can combine grants from different schemes — for example, free insulation through ECO4 plus a £7,500 heat pump grant through BUS. You cannot claim two grants for the same measure, but you can stack grants for different improvements on the same property.

When do UK energy grants end in 2026?

GBIS ends March 2026, ECO4 ends December 2026, and BUS runs until March 2028. The Warm Home Discount runs annually (October–March). Apply early — ECO4 and GBIS funding is first-come, first-served.

Do I need to own my home to get energy grants?

No. Private tenants can apply for ECO4 and GBIS with their landlord's written permission. Social housing tenants may also qualify. Landlords can apply for BUS heat pump grants on their rental properties. The Warm Home Discount is available to any qualifying bill-payer.

How long does a grant application take?

Eligibility checks take 60 seconds. From application to installation typically takes 4–8 weeks: 1–2 weeks for survey booking, 1–2 weeks for approval, and 1–4 weeks for installation scheduling depending on the measure.

What is the Great British Insulation Scheme?

GBIS is a £1 billion government programme providing free insulation (cavity wall, loft, solid wall) to homes in council tax bands A–D. Unlike ECO4, you don't need to receive benefits — eligibility is based on your property's council tax band and EPC rating. GBIS ends March 2026.

Is Great British Energy the same as the government company?

No. Great British Energy (greatbritishenergy.com) is an independent information service that helps homeowners find and claim energy grants. The government's Great British Energy plc (gbe.gov.uk) is a separate state-owned company investing in renewable energy infrastructure. We are not affiliated.

How do I check if I qualify for free energy grants?

Enter your postcode and answer a few questions about your benefits, council tax band, and property type. ECO4 requires qualifying benefits (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, etc). GBIS only requires council tax bands A-D. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is open to all homeowners with a valid EPC.

Can I get a free boiler from the government?

Yes, through ECO4 if you receive qualifying benefits and your current boiler is inefficient. ECO4 covers the full cost of a replacement gas boiler or can fund a heat pump installation. You can also get £7,500 towards a heat pump via the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

How much are UK energy grants worth?

ECO4 grants average £4,200 per household (Ofgem data). The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides £7,500 for heat pumps. GBIS covers up to £3,000 for insulation. Combined, eligible households can receive £10,000-£15,000 in free energy improvements.

Do I need to be on benefits to get energy grants?

Not for all grants. GBIS requires no benefits — just council tax bands A-D and an EPC of D or below. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is open to all homeowners. ECO4 does require qualifying benefits, but LA Flex allows local councils to include low-income households without benefits.

Can renters get government energy grants?

Yes. Renters can access ECO4 and GBIS with their landlord's written consent. The landlord pays nothing — the grant covers the full cost. Private and social tenants are both eligible. The Warm Home Discount (£150) applies to tenants who pay their own electricity bills.

£1,000s in Free Energy Grants 2026 — Boilers, Solar, Insulation & Heat Pumps

UK Energy Grants Comparison — 2026

Scheme	Worth Up To	Who Qualifies	Covers	Ends
ECO4	£10,000+	Benefits recipients, EPC D-G	Insulation, boilers, solar, heat pumps	Dec 2026
Boiler Upgrade	£7,500	Any homeowner with valid EPC	Heat pumps only	Mar 2028
GBIS	£3,000-£5,000	Council tax A-D, EPC D-G	Cavity wall & loft insulation	Mar 2026
Warm Home Discount	£150	Pension Credit / low income	Electricity bill discount	Annual
VAT Relief	20% saving	All UK homeowners	Solar, heat pumps, insulation, batteries	Mar 2027

Grant values and end dates based on current government policy as of March 2026. Subject to change — always verify at gov.uk.

Written by James Hartley

Energy Grants Advisor · Last updated 4 March 2026 · Reviewed by Sarah Mitchell, MCS Certified

⚡ Key Takeaways

ECO4: Free insulation, boilers & solar for households on benefits (until Dec 2026)
Boiler Upgrade Scheme: £7,500 towards a heat pump for any homeowner (until 2028)
Great British Insulation Scheme: Subsidised insulation for council tax bands A-D
Warm Home Discount: £150 off electricity bills each winter
0% VAT on solar panels, heat pumps, and insulation (since April 2022)
Schemes can be stacked — e.g. ECO4 insulation + BUS heat pump on the same home

⚠️

GBIS closes THIS MONTH — apply before 31 March 2026The Great British Insulation Scheme ends March 2026. Once funding runs out, free insulation will no longer be available through GBIS. Check your eligibility now →

UK homeowners can claim £1,000s in free government energy grants in 2026. The main schemes are: ECO4 (free insulation, boilers and solar panels for benefit recipients — average £4,200 per household), the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (£7,500 towards heat pumps), GBIS (free insulation for council tax bands A–D — closing March 2026), and the Warm Home Discount (£150 off electricity bills). Enter your postcode to check what you qualify for.

Available Schemes

What Are UK Energy Grants?

UK energy grants are government-funded programmes that pay for home energy improvements — insulation, boilers, heat pumps, and solar panels — at no cost to eligible homeowners. Three main schemes operate in 2026:

ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation 4): Government scheme funding free insulation, boilers, solar panels, and heat pumps for low-income households. Worth up to £12,000 per home. Ends December 2026.
GBIS (Great British Insulation Scheme): £1 billion insulation programme for homes in council tax bands A–D. No benefits required. Covers cavity wall, loft, and solid wall insulation. Ends March 2026.
BUS (Boiler Upgrade Scheme): £7,500 grant towards air source or ground source heat pump installation. Open to any homeowner — no income or benefits test. Runs until March 2028.
Warm Home Discount: £150 one-off discount on your electricity bill. Automatic for Pension Credit recipients; others may qualify through their energy supplier.

Three government grants you could claim

Each scheme targets different households and improvements. Many homeowners qualify for more than one.

ECO4 Scheme

Up to £10,000+

Free insulation, boiler replacements, and heating upgrades for low-income and vulnerable households. Runs until December 2026.

Benefits-based eligibility

Great British Insulation Scheme

Free insulation

Cavity wall and loft insulation for homes in lower council tax band energy grants. No benefits required — wider eligibility than ECO4.

Council tax bands A–D

Boiler Upgrade Scheme

£7,500

Grants towards air source and ground source heat pumps. Your MCS-certified installer applies on your behalf. Extended to 2028.

Homeowners only

Scheme Details

ECO4 Scheme

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) requires large energy suppliers to fund energy efficiency improvements in eligible homes. It's the largest domestic energy efficiency scheme in the UK, covering everything from loft insulation to first-time central heating systems.

Who qualifies?

Receiving Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or Income Support
Income-Based JSA or Income-Related ESA
Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit (income under £16,480)
Housing Benefit
Home with EPC rating of D, E, F, or G

Loft insulation

Cavity wall insulation

Boiler replacement

Central heating

Solid wall insulation

Solar panels

Scheme Details

Great British Insulation Scheme

Formerly known as ECO+, GBIS specifically targets insulation upgrades. The eligibility criteria are broader than ECO4 — you don't need to be on benefits. If your home is in a lower council tax band, you could get free or heavily subsidised insulation.

Who qualifies?

Home in council tax bands A–D (England) or A–E (Scotland/Wales)
No benefits requirement for the general group
Homeowners and private tenants (with landlord consent)
Home must have an EPC to confirm insulation need

Cavity wall insulation

Loft insulation

Flat roof insulation

Room-in-roof insulation

FAQ

Grant questions answered

Common questions about ECO4, GBIS, and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Can't find your answer? Enter your postcode and we'll help.

ECO4 is a government obligation on energy suppliers running until December 2026. You may be eligible if you receive benefits such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit, or Income-Based JSA, and your home has an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G. Eligible improvements include loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, boiler replacements, and first-time central heating.

GBIS provides free or heavily subsidised insulation to homes in council tax bands A–D in England and A–E in Scotland and Wales. It covers cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, flat roof insulation, and room-in-roof insulation. You do not need to be on benefits to qualify — it is available to a wider group of homeowners.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides £7,500 towards an air source heat pump or ground source heat pump installation. The grant is applied directly by your MCS-certified installer, reducing the upfront cost. You must own your property and have a valid EPC to qualify.

Yes, in many cases you can combine grants. For example, you could receive ECO4 funding for insulation and separately apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for a heat pump. However, you cannot use two grants for the same measure on the same property.

ECO4 applications typically take 2–4 weeks from initial survey to approval. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is usually processed within a few days once your MCS installer submits the application. GBIS timelines vary by local authority but are generally 2–6 weeks.

For the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, yes — you must own your property. For ECO4 and GBIS, both homeowners and private tenants (with landlord permission) can apply. Social housing tenants may also qualify through their housing provider.

ECO4 runs until December 2026. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme has been extended to 2028. GBIS is currently funded through March 2026. Funding is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early is recommended.

Free energy grants for your home

UK Energy Grants Comparison — 2026

⚡ Key Takeaways

What Are UK Energy Grants?

Three government grants you could claim

ECO4 Scheme

Great British Insulation Scheme

Boiler Upgrade Scheme

ECO4 Scheme

Great British Insulation Scheme

Boiler Upgrade Scheme

Grant questions answered

📋 Sources & Data

Check your eligibility now

Free energy grants for your home

UK Energy Grants Comparison — 2026

⚡ Key Takeaways

What Are UK Energy Grants?

Three government grants you could claim

ECO4 Scheme

Great British Insulation Scheme

Boiler Upgrade Scheme

ECO4 Scheme

Great British Insulation Scheme

Boiler Upgrade Scheme

Grant questions answered

📋 Sources & Data

Related Guides

Check your eligibility now

Related Pages

Related Energy Grant Guides

ECO4 Scheme

Great British Insulation Scheme

Boiler Upgrade Scheme

Heat Pumps