Warm Homes Plan: zero-interest loans, grants and free upgrades
In January, the government announced its £15 billion Warm Homes Plan, aiming to improve the energy efficiency of up to 5 million homes by 2030. But what does this mean in practice for you and your home?
The Warm Homes Plan sets out how home energy upgrades will be funded and delivered over the coming years. The plan is a sign of recognition that much of the UK’s existing housing stock needs improving. Many homes are hard to heat, expensive to run, or prone to issues like damp and mould.
Below, we’ve set out what the plan means for homeowners, landlords, renters and those on low-income. We cover practical steps people can take now to make the most of the support that will be made available.
Support for all homeowners
Under the Warm Homes Plan, homeowners are expected to be supported through interest-free and low interest loans.
These loans will help to spread the upfront cost of home energy upgrades over time. More detail on how these loans will work is expected later in the year, but we know they will be available for solar PV, heat pumps and batteries.
What homeowners can do now
- Plan energy upgrades alongside other renovations
If you’re already thinking about a new kitchen, extension or general refurb, this is a good time to factor in insulation, ventilation or heating upgrades. Doing things in the right order can save time, money and minimise disruption. - Get free, impartial expert advice
Independent advice can help you understand how your home performs, which upgrades make sense with your budget, and how work could be phased over time. - Book a discounted survey to get tailored recommendations
Surveys such as thermal imaging, heat pump assessments or whole-house energy efficiency surveys can give you tailored recommendations and help you prioritise the measures that make most sense for you. - Start speaking to installers and comparing quotes
Using our Trusted Trades directory to get a number of quotes early helps you understand costs and lead times, so you’re not starting from scratch when loans become available.
There’s good news! Homeowners don’t have to wait to upgrade
- Some councils already offer low-interest, council-backed home improvement loans through providers such as Lendology. Availability and eligibility varies by council.
- If a heat pump is on your radar, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is already live and offers up to £7,500 off the cost of an eligible installation.
Get free expert advice
Book your free 30 minute call or home visit with a retrofit expert and gain advice specific to your home.
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Clarity for landlords
For landlords, the Warm Homes Plan brings much welcome clarity on minimum energy efficiency standards and timelines.
All privately rented properties will need to meet the minimum standard of EPC C by 1 October 2030, across all tenancies. Changes to how properties are assessed are expected in 2027, but the deadline itself is now set. Required improvements will be capped at £10,000 per property, or 10% of the property’s value.
2030 will come around quickly. Starting early gives landlords more flexibility to plan work, spread costs, and avoid a rush as the deadline approaches.
What should landlords do today
- Check current EPC ratings to see if upgrades are needed to maintain compliance
- Plan upgrades alongside maintenance or refurb works if you can, to reduce disruption and cost
- Book a Landlord Energy Efficiency Plan (LEEP) to identify the lowest-cost route to compliance, with modelling for your property, a free EPC after installation, and free project support to help plan work
- Check whether your tenants may qualify for grant funding, which could cover some improvements
Landlord Service
Our expert advisors can offer you impartial advice on making energy efficiency improvements to your properties, helping you with compliance.
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Rights for renters
If the property you rent falls below the minimum energy efficiency standard, your landlord will be expected to bring it up to at least EPC C over the coming years.
For renters, this should mean warmer, healthier homes that are cheaper to heat, with higher overall living standards. Improvements like better insulation and heating can also help reduce issues such as damp and mould, making homes more comfortable to live in.
You won’t be expected to pay for upgrades yourself, but you should start to see better-performing homes becoming the norm.
Free upgrades for low-income households
For households on low incomes, the Warm Homes Plan will deliver fully funded home energy upgrades, replacing previous schemes such as ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS).
These upgrades are intended to improve comfort, reduce energy bills and tackle issues like cold, damp and mould.
As new funding rolls out, be aware that not all offers are genuine. Support will be delivered through councils, landlords or recognised programmes. Be cautious of cold calls or doorstep claims offering “free” or “government-backed” work.
For those who qualify, this support should mean warmer, healthier homes without upfront costs.
Can improving your EPC rating add value to your home?
A recent report by Rightmove has highlighted the financial benefits of improving Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings. Read more »
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