Getting a government grant for heating your home

If you’re a homeowner, we understand that the cost of heating your property is a year-round concern, but especially with the colder months just around the corner.

Similarly, we know you might be keen to play your part in implementing energy efficient methods of heating, but the cost of low carbon heating measures is still a potential barrier. Government grants and incentives have been introduced to help make low carbon heating measures accessible and reduce costs, though we appreciate you likely still have questions about who is eligible and how to apply for them.

   
In this article, we’ll look at some of the schemes you may want to consider applying for when looking into energy efficient heating and how to check if you are eligible. 
 

Warm Homes: Local Grant 

The Warm Homes: Local Grant is a government grant aimed at enhancing energy efficiency in low-income households across England. 

Specific upgrades within the Warm Homes: Local Grant include up to £15,000 for measures like double or triple glazing, draught-proofing, and solar panels. A further £15,000 has been dedicated to help with installing low-carbon heating initiatives like air source heat pumps. 

Eligibility for the Warm Homes: Local Grant is based on income, the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of the property, and postcode area. By offering financial support for energy-efficient upgrades, the scheme aims to ease the financial burden on vulnerable households while aiding the nationwide goal of lowering carbon emissions.

If you’re considering applying for the Warm Homes: Local Grant, you can see if you’re eligible here. It's important to check regional application deadlines as they can affect fund availability. Once submitted, your local council will then assess your eligibility and, if approved, guide you on the next steps.  
 

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is another government grant aimed to support with the cost of replacing traditional boilers with a low-carbon option, such as an air source heat pump. Current grant funding, subject to eligibility and any change is £7500, which is deducted from quotes for the homeowner. There is also a temporary rural uplift effective from 21st July 2026 until March 2027, of £1500 that applies to properties replacing existing LPG or oil heating. This brings the total grant available to £9,000. Please visit the website for more information and to check for eligibility.

Like many similar grants, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is subject to eligibility. Typically, this will include criteria such as whether you own your property, the type of heating system that you have, and whether the installation has been funded by other sources of public funds.

Another requirement to access the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, is that your installer needs to be certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). This is an important quality mark providing peace of mind that the installation has been completed to the highest standard.

Government discounts for winter energy bills

As well as the various grants mentioned earlier, you may want to consider looking into specific discounts to help with the cost of heating during Winter, such as the Warm Homes Discount, which you can learn more about here. 

Local councils may have their own, unique support programmes, which can help if you are struggling with living essentials including energy and water bills. Be sure to contact your local authority to see what you may be entitled to. 

Steps to improving home energy efficiency all-year round

Other steps you can take to mitigate the cost of your home energy can be simpler than you first thought. Start by checking the quality of your insulation, seal any draughts around doors and windows, and consider switching to energy-efficient lighting. From there, you can look at adopting cleaner heating systems and technology by utilising the grants we looked at earlier. 

Having your boiler serviced at least once a year can also maintain operational efficiency and help you to manage your finances at the same time. A service will be able to identify problems before they escalate, reducing the risk of an expensive repair later on, and helping your boiler to run at an effective, efficient level that prevents energy being wasted.

Turning down your thermostat, even by just a couple of degrees, can be another means of maintaining comfort and keeping costs down. Only heat the rooms that you are using to further prevent unnecessary energy loss. A smart thermostat is a good way of managing your heating and keeping the temperature at a consistent level. 

Low carbon heating solutions from Baxi

At Baxi, we’re here to support you with low carbon heating solutions that meet the needs of your household and your budget. We’re leading the way by working towards carbon neutrality and ensuring our products work with low carbon energy. By committing to being a cleaner, more sustainable manufacturer, we are in the best place to help you reduce your own carbon emissions.

Our dedicated customer service team is on hand to help answer any questions you might have about our products and with a nationwide network of installers, you can be sure that there is one working near you.