M&E Contrax Resources
UK Warm Homes Plan 2026
Resource Highlights:
All homeowners are expected to be able to access low or zero interest loans for upgrades like solar panels, batteries and heat pumps via a new Warm Homes Fund, but full delivery details and timing are still being confirmed.
Low income households are expected to be able to access fully funded upgrade packages, which can include solar, batteries and heat pumps.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme remains a key route for heat pump grants in England and Wales, offering £7,500 towards an air source or ground source heat pump.
By 2030, privately rented properties in England and Wales are expected to need an EPC rating of at least C, with a proposed spending cap to reach compliance.
New grants for solar panels and heat pumps explained (UK guide)
The UK Government’s Warm Homes Plan, published 21 January 2026, sets out how it intends to cut energy bills and accelerate home upgrades across the UK, with support for solar panels, battery storage, heat pumps and insulation. It combines fully funded help for low income households, plus low and zero interest finance for homeowners who can pay over time, alongside tougher standards for rented homes.
What is the Warm Homes Plan?
The Warm Homes Plan is a government programme backed by around £15 billion of public investment, aiming to upgrade up to 5 million homes by 2030 and reduce fuel poverty and energy bills.
A key point is that it is not just “one grant”. It’s a package of routes, depending on your situation:
Finance options for households who are not eligible for grants but want to spread the cost
Fully funded support for those most in need
Rental standards to drive upgrades in the private rented sector
Solar panels 2026: what support is being proposed?
1) Low or zero interest loans for homeowners
For homeowners regardless of income, the plan includes low and zero interest loans via a Warm Homes Fund, intended to cover measures such as solar panels and battery storage, plus insulation and heating upgrades.
2) Fully funded solar (and often batteries) for low income households
Energy Saving Trust’s summary of the plan says low income and fuel poor families will be able to access fully funded support that can include solar panels and battery storage, alongside insulation and heating upgrades.
Important: multiple sources note that the government has not yet confirmed full delivery detail and exact start dates for every part of the finance offer, so expect more clarity during 2026.
Why Now is the Right Time to Install Solar Panels for Your Home or Business in our latest blog here.
Heat pumps 2026: current grants and changes
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (England and Wales)
Right now, the clearest “live” support for heat pumps is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). It offers:
£7,500 towards an air source heat pump
£7,500 towards a ground source heat pump
£5,000 towards a biomass boiler
It is available in England and Wales, and your installer applies on your behalf.
Why the Warm Homes Plan matters for heat pumps
The Warm Homes Plan is designed to make heat pumps more accessible by pairing the existing grant route with wider support, including finance options and a stronger national push for delivery at scale.
What about renters and landlords?
A big part of the plan is improving rented homes. MoneySavingExpert and Energy Saving Trust both report that privately rented properties in England and Wales are expected to need to reach EPC C by 2030 (up from the current minimum of E), with support and exemptions proposed.
If you’re a renter, the changes are intended to reduce the “split incentive” problem, where the landlord pays but the tenant benefits from lower bills.
How much could it save?
Savings depend on your property, tariff and usage pattern, but the plan’s own technical material suggests a package such as heat pump + solar PV + battery can produce meaningful annual bill savings in a typical scenario (the annex cites modelling assumptions behind these example figures).
Ways to prepare in 2026
If you want to be ready to move quickly when funding and finance options open, this is the most practical order:
Get your EPC (or locate your existing one) and note the key recommendations
Check your roof for shading and usable space, or confirm if ground mount is more suitable
Gather electricity usage (12 months if possible), and note daytime versus evening use
Decide your goal: bill reduction, battery ready, heat pump switch, EV charging, or all of the above
Book a proper survey and request a design that includes monitoring and handover documentation
If you’re a landlord, start mapping a route to EPC C by 2030 now, especially for harder to treat properties
Read all the latest updates and more information on the Government website here
Last reviewed: April 2026. Grant amounts and eligibility rules change — always verify current figures with your installer or at gov.uk before making decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Warm Homes Plan is a UK Government programme and includes allocations for devolved nations, but specific schemes and eligibility can still differ by nation. Energy Saving Trust highlights the need to check the support available in your area.
Not necessarily. The plan points to fully funded help for low income households, and loans or low cost finance for many others rather than a universal cash grant.
In most cases, yes. UK grant schemes and incentives for renewables commonly require the installation to be completed by an MCS certified installer, using MCS certified products, to ensure the system meets recognised quality and consumer protection standards. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme specifically requires an MCS certified installer to carry out the work and apply for the grant on your behalf.
At ME Contrax, installations are carried out to meet these requirements, so customers can move forward confidently when applying for eligible support.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is for England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different support routes.
Some support exists now (like BUS in England and Wales), but for parts of the Warm Homes Plan, sources note that more detail and timings are still being confirmed during 2026.
Download a copy of this resource
Our resources are available for you to download, enter your details below and we will e-mail you a download link.
