Warm Homes Plan 2026: Everything You Need to Know
The Warm Homes Plan is the government's new £13.2 billion programme to upgrade 5 million UK homes by 2030. Launched in January 2026, it replaces and extends the existing ECO4 and GBIS schemes with a more comprehensive approach: grants for low-income homes, low-interest loans for everyone else, and expanded heat pump support. This guide explains what is confirmed, what is still to come, and what it means for you.
What the Warm Homes Plan includes
| Scheme | Funding | Who it helps | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH:LG) | Part of £5bn package | Low-income, fuel-poor households and social renters | Active from 2026 |
| Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund | £754m through 2026/27 | Social housing tenants | Active |
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme | £2.7bn to 2029/30 | Any homeowner (heat pump grant) | Active (£7,500 grant) |
| Warm Homes Fund | £5bn | Low-interest loans for homeowners | Details expected 2026 |
| Warm Home Discount | £511m/yr | £150 bill rebate for low-income | Active |
| Warm Homes Agency | Operational | Single oversight body for all schemes | Launching by April 2027 |
Source: GOV.UK Warm Homes Plan, January 2026.
What happens to ECO4 and GBIS
GBIS ends 31 March 2026 as planned. ECO4 has been extended to 31 December 2026 to allow time for remediation of non-compliant installations, but no new delivery targets have been set. The £1.5 billion originally allocated to ECO will be redirected to the Warm Homes: Local Grant and Social Housing Fund.
This means the transition period is now. If you qualify for ECO4 or GBIS, apply immediately before they close. The successor schemes (WH:LG) will provide similar support but detailed eligibility criteria are still being finalised.
Apply for ECO4 and GBIS now
GBIS closes 31 March 2026. ECO4 closes 31 December 2026. Both provide free insulation and heating upgrades. Do not wait for the Warm Homes Plan successor schemes; apply for what is available today. Use our grant eligibility checker.
Key commitments
5 million home upgrades by 2030. The plan commits to upgrading 5 million homes with insulation, clean heating, and renewable energy. This is the most ambitious home retrofit target the UK has set.
Triple rooftop solar. The plan targets 3 million more homes with solar panels. Combined with battery storage, this aims to reduce household electricity costs and grid dependence.
£7,500 heat pump grant continues. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is confirmed through to 2029/30 with a total budget of £2.7 billion. Air-to-air heat pumps now qualify for a £2,500 grant.
Low-interest loans for homeowners. The £5 billion Warm Homes Fund will offer low or zero-interest loans for homeowners who do not qualify for grants. Details on interest rates, loan terms, and eligible measures are expected later in 2026.
Tighter landlord standards. Privately rented homes will be required to meet higher minimum energy efficiency standards by 2030. This builds on the existing EPC E minimum and may raise the bar to band C.
What it means for you
If you are on a low income or benefits
You are the primary target. The Warm Homes: Local Grant provides free upgrades delivered through your local council. Apply for ECO4 now while it is still running. The transition to WH:LG should be seamless, but do not wait for it.
If you are a homeowner not on benefits
Apply for GBIS before 31 March if you qualify (Council Tax A to D, EPC D or below). After March, the Warm Homes Fund loans will be the main route. The £7,500 BUS grant for heat pumps is available to everyone regardless of income.
If you are a landlord
Start planning now. Tighter EPC requirements are coming by 2030. The cost of upgrading rental properties will only increase as demand for installers grows. Read our EPC for landlords guide and use our EPC improvement planner.
If you are a social tenant
Your housing association should be applying for Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund on your behalf. Contact them to ask what upgrade plans are in place for your home.
Track your energy costs with an energy monitor. Improve your heating control with a smart thermostat. Start with the cheapest fix: draught excluder strips.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Warm Homes Plan?
A £13.2 billion government programme to upgrade 5 million homes by 2030. Includes grants, loans, heat pump support, and solar panel targets. Replaces ECO4 and GBIS.
Does the Warm Homes Plan replace ECO4?
Yes, eventually. ECO4 runs until December 2026. The Warm Homes: Local Grant takes over. Apply for ECO4 now while it exists.
Can I get a loan for energy improvements?
The Warm Homes Fund will offer low or zero-interest loans. Details on terms and eligible measures are expected later in 2026.
Data sources
Warm Homes Plan from GOV.UK. Budget figures from Autumn Budget 2025. Analysis from Energy Saving Trust.