Energy Grants in the UK: ECO, boiler & local support
UK energy grants can make your home warmer, more efficient, and cheaper to run. These grants cover improvements like insulation, heating systems, and renewable options. The main funding scheme is Energy Company Obligation (ECO), and under it, there are grants such as boiler grants, insulation grants, and central heating support. Using these grants can lower your bills, make your home more comfortable, and cut carbon emissions.
To benefit, you need to understand who qualifies and how the application works. The types of support can also vary between countries and counties. Knowing these differences will help you see what is available in your area and how to get started.
Understanding the ECO scheme in the UK
The ECO scheme is a government programme that helps households reduce energy use. It focuses on funding upgrades like insulation and heating improvements. The goal is to cut fuel poverty and lower carbon emissions across the UK.
Under ECO, there are different grants designed to meet household needs. Boiler grants are one of the most important, helping to replace old non-condensing boilers with new, energy-saving models. Other grants cover insulation and first-time central heating, giving wider support for homes.
Together, ECO and its grants give households real savings and comfort. They lower heating costs and make homes warmer in winter. They also reduce the environmental impact of daily energy use.
But not everyone can apply, as the scheme is aimed at specific households. To qualify, you must meet certain rules based on income, benefits, and property type. Knowing these rules helps you see if you are eligible for support.
Who can apply
ECO is open to homeowners, private tenants, and landlords, but the rules are not the same for everyone. Many grants focus on low-income households or people receiving certain benefits. The type of property also matters, as some upgrades are only available for certain homes. Checking these conditions is the first step to see if you qualify.
Once eligible, the process is straightforward. You complete an eligibility check, provide basic documents, and confirm details about your home. If approved, the work is installed at little or no cost to you. This makes it easier for households to access support without large upfront expenses.
But the grants are not the same everywhere in the UK. England, Scotland, and Wales each have their own schemes and extra support, so it’s important to understand what applies in your area.
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Energy support across England, Scotland, and Wales
Energy grants are not the same everywhere in the UK. Each country has its own rules and extra support. Here is how ECO and related schemes work in different areas:
England
ECO is the main scheme that funds energy upgrades for households. Councils often work with suppliers and installers to direct support where it is most needed. Grants can cover insulation, heating improvements, and sometimes boiler replacements.
Scotland
ECO runs alongside Home Energy Scotland, which provides advice, funding, and referrals. Grants may cover insulation, heating systems, and renewable options. This extra support gives households more ways to access help.
Wales
ECO funding is slightly higher in rural areas of Wales, to provide extra support to people who do not have access to mains gas and have to rely on more expensive forms of heating such as LPG and Oil.
Each county also plays a role, as local housing needs and council support can differ. Some areas may target specific households or property types, so understanding your county’s approach helps you find the right grants more quickly.
County guide to energy grants
Each county has its own approach to supporting households through ECO. Local rules, property types, and council priorities can shape what help is available in your area.
- Local grant availability: Each County may have different levels of access to ECO funding. For example the funding rates are slightly higher in rural areas of Scotland and Wales where there is no access to mains gas. Some areas prioritise certain grants like insulation or heating upgrades.
- Role of local councils: Councils often guide how grants are delivered in their county. They may run outreach programmes or link households with approved organisations.
- Property types in focus: Rural counties may see more support for older homes with poor insulation.
- Targeted support for households: Some counties focus on low-income or vulnerable households. Others may open grants more widely to improve housing stock in the area.
- Differences between rural and urban areas: Rural homes may need more costly upgrades, so grants are used to reduce the burden. Urban areas may run larger schemes to cover many properties at once.
Recent updates show that ECO is being applied differently across counties. Local councils and rules shape which homes can benefit and what measures are offered. Keeping up with these changes helps you understand the support available in your area.
County news and updates
Changes to ECO and GBIS hit local delivery rules
The government has introduced changes to ECO and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS). These adjustments affect how support is delivered across local counties. They are aimed at giving households more flexible options.
In some counties, councils now allow two insulation measures instead of one per property via the GBIS grant scheme. This gives households the chance to improve their homes more fully. It also means installers can carry out broader upgrades at the same time.
Smart thermostats can now be included under these schemes for owner-occupied homes. This update is especially important in low-income areas where households need better control of heating. Counties with older housing stock are expected to see the greatest benefit.
New support for off-grid homes in rural counties
The Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) is bringing fresh support to counties off the gas grid. It focuses on insulation and low-carbon heating for homes that ECO often cannot reach. This makes the scheme particularly relevant for rural and remote areas.
Counties such as the Highlands in Scotland, Powys in Wales, and parts of Devon and Cornwall in England are seeing more applications. These areas often have higher costs for heating because of older homes. The new support helps reduce that gap.
The grant can provide several thousand pounds per property. This makes upgrades affordable for households that would otherwise face high upfront costs. For rural counties, this is a big step toward fairer access to energy savings.
Stricter energy standards on private rentals in England and Wales
New rules are being planned for rented homes across counties in England and Wales. These rules will push landlords to raise their properties to an EPC rating of C or higher. The changes are designed to give tenants better living conditions and lower bills.
Counties with a high number of rented properties, such as Greater Manchester, Birmingham, and South Wales, are expected to feel the impact most. In these areas, many homes currently fall below the new standard. This creates demand for grants to fund the upgrades.
ECO and boiler grants are becoming more important for landlords trying to comply. They offer financial support to cover the cost of heating improvements and insulation. This ensures renters can live in safer, warmer, and more affordable homes.
County updates show how ECO and related schemes keep changing to meet local needs. But ECO is not the only source of support available. Other energy grants can also help households and small businesses improve their homes and cut costs.
Other energy grants beyond ECO
Not all energy support comes through ECO. There are other grants and schemes that give households and small businesses extra options. These can depend on where you live or the type of upgrade you need.
- Solar PV panel grants: These grants help with the cost of installing solar panels. They let you generate your own electricity and reduce reliance on the grid.
- Renewable energy grants in Scotland: Through Home Energy Scotland, support is available for technologies like biomass boilers and renewables. This gives Scottish households more choices beyond ECO.
- Local council grant schemes: Some councils run their own funding programmes for energy upgrades. These may target certain areas or household groups.
- Business energy support: Separate grants exist for small businesses looking to cut energy use. These often cover equipment upgrades and energy-saving measures.
To get support, you need to follow a simple process from start to finish. Each step is designed to check your details and arrange the right upgrades. Knowing the process helps you move forward without delays.
How to apply for energy grants
Applying for an energy grant follows a simple process. Each stage is clear and designed to make sure households get the right support. Here are the main steps you can expect:
Step 1: Eligibility check: You start by checking if you meet the rules for the grant. This looks at your income, benefits, and type of home.
Step 2: Provide documents: You will need to give proof such as income details, energy bills or proof of benefit. These documents confirm your household and property information.
Step 3: Approval: Once your details are checked, the grant is approved. You will be told what upgrades your home can receive.
Step 4: Installation: A Trustmark approved installer will arrange a date for the work. They complete the upgrades at little or no cost to you.
Step 5: Guarantee: After the work, you receive a guarantee for the installation. This protects you and ensures the upgrade lasts for up to 25 years (dependent on the energy saving measures that are installed).
Applying for grants can feel complex if you are not sure where to start. Expert help makes the process quicker and easier. A trusted service like Energy Saving Grants can guide you through each step and handle the details for you.
How can Energy Saving Grants help you
Energy Saving Grants has years of experience helping households secure ECO and boiler grants. Our team makes the process simple by checking eligibility, guiding applications, and working with trusted installers to deliver real results for your home.
If you’re ready to check if you’re eligible, you can start by checking the local requirements of your county through our county page. Each county has different rules and options, so reviewing this information will show you exactly what support you can access today.
FAQs about energy grants
Yes, some counties apply energy grant rules in slightly different ways through their councils. This can affect which households are targeted for support. It’s important to check local guidance to see what applies in your area.
Private tenants may qualify if they meet the income or benefit rules. Permission from the landlord is usually needed before work can start. Many counties encourage landlords and tenants to apply together.
Yes, some councils offer extra schemes alongside national ones. These can include insulation top-ups, heating upgrades, or funding for specific property types. Council websites often list the latest local programmes.
The timeline can vary by county and installer demand. In most cases, it takes a few weeks from eligibility check to approval. Installation is then scheduled as soon as possible.
Yes, approved energy grant installations come with a guarantee. This can last up to 25 years depending on the type of upgrade. The guarantee protects households and ensures the work meets quality standards.
Each county in the UK has its own rules, funding levels, and council priorities for ECO and other energy grants. To find out what support is available in your area, click on your county from the list below. This will take you to your local council’s page, where you can see the latest information on available grants, eligibility, and how to apply.
- Aberdeenshire (or the County of Aberdeen)
- Angus (or Forfarshire or the County of Forfar)
- Argyll (or Argyllshire)
- Ayrshire (or the County of Ayr)
- Banffshire (or the County of Banff)
- Berwickshire (or the County of Berwick)
- Buteshire (or the County of Bute)
- Caithness
- Clackmannanshire (or the County of Clackmannan)
- Dumfriesshire
- Dunbartonshire
- East Lothian
- Fife
- Inverness-shire
- Kincardineshire
- Kinross-shire
- Kirkcudbrightshire
- Lanarkshire
- Midlothian
- Moray
- Nairnshire
- Orkney
- Peebleshire
- Perthshire
- Renfrewshire
- Ross and Cromarty
- Roxburghshire
- Selkirkshire
- Shetland
- Stirlingshire
- Sutherland
- West Lothian
- Wigtownshire
- Isle of Anglesey (Ynys Môn)
- Gwynedd
- Conwy
- Denbighshire (Sir Ddinbych)
- Flintshire (Sir y Fflint)
- Wrexham (Wrecsam)
- Ceredigion
- Powys
- Pembrokeshire (Sir Benfro)
- Carmarthenshire (Sir Gaerfyrddin)
- Swansea (Abertawe)
- Neath Port Talbot (Castell-nedd Port Talbot)
- Bridgend (Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr)
- Vale of Glamorgan (Bro Morgannwg)
- Rhondda Cynon Taff
- Cardiff (Caerdydd)
- Merthyr Tydfil (Merthyr Tudful)
- Caerphilly (Caerffili)
- Newport (Casnewydd)
- Torfaen (Tor-faen)
- Blaenau Gwent
- Monmouthshire (Sir Fynwy)
- Bedfordshire
- Devon
- Herefordshire
- Northamptonshire
- Surrey
- Berkshire
- Dorset
- Hertfordshire
- Northumberland
- Tyne and Wear
- Bristol
- County Durham
- Isle of Wight
- Nottinghamshire
- Warwickshire
- Buckinghamshire
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- Kent
- Oxfordshire
- West Midlands
- Cambridgeshire
- East Sussex
- Lancashire
- Rutland
- West Sussex
- Cheshire
- Essex
- Leicestershire
- Shropshire
- West Yorkshire
- City of London
- Gloucestershire
- Lincolnshire
- Somerset
- Wiltshire
- Cornwall
- Greater London
- Merseyside
- South Yorkshire
- Worcestershire
- Cumbria
- Greater Manchester
- Norfolk
- Staffordshire
- Derbyshire
- Hampshire
- North Yorkshire
- Suffolk
Check Your Eligibility Using Our Grant Checker
Please ensure that all information provided below is 100% accurate. Any errors in your personal information could delay or prevent you qualifying for a government funded grant
Please note that you do not necessarily need to be in receipt of tax credits or benefits as we still may be able to obtain funding for you via your Council or through other funding schemes.
Check Your Eligibility Using Our Grant Checker
Please ensure that all information provided below is 100% accurate. Any errors in your personal information could delay or prevent you qualifying for a government funded grant
Please note that you do not necessarily need to be in receipt of tax credits or benefits as we still may be able to obtain funding for you via your Council or through other funding schemes.