What is the Warm Homes Plan?
The Warm Homes Plan is the UK Government’s long-term strategy to make homes more comfortable, more affordable to heat and less dependent on fossil fuels, while addressing fuel poverty and supporting the journey to net zero.
Supported by £15 billion of public funding, the programme outlines how up to five million homes could be improved by 2030 through a blend of grants, accessible finance, regulation and locally led delivery.
The focus is on upgrading energy efficiency and heating systems in existing properties — particularly those that are costly to run and difficult to keep warm. Although assistance is available more broadly, the Plan prioritises lower-income households and those experiencing fuel poverty, helping to cut energy costs, increase comfort and create healthier living environments.
While the framework is set nationally, delivery is driven at a local level, with councils and social housing providers playing a key role alongside trusted retrofit partners. The Plan currently applies in England, with devolved nations operating their own programmes with similar objectives.
Key Objectives of the Warm Homes Plan
Tackling Fuel Poverty
Help up to one million households move out of fuel poverty by 2030 by upgrading homes that are the least energy efficient and most expensive to heat.
Reducing Energy Bills
Achieve lasting reductions in household energy costs through improved insulation, low-carbon heating systems and on-site renewable energy solutions.
Delivering Net Zero
Lower emissions from residential properties by cutting heat demand and accelerating the transition to clean, electric heating technologies.
Creating Jobs and Skills
Drive growth within the retrofit and clean energy sectors, supporting the creation of up to 180,000 jobs by 2030.
Core Elements of the Warm Homes Plan
Warm Homes: Local Grant
A locally administered grant scheme designed to support low-income and fuel-poor households. Funding is distributed to local authorities, which identify qualifying properties and partner with approved installers to deliver measures such as insulation, solar PV and low-carbon heating systems where suitable.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
Offers grants of up to £7,500 towards the installation of heat pumps, enabling households to transition away from fossil-fuel heating. The scheme complements wider energy efficiency upgrades such as insulation improvements.
Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund
Provides capital funding to councils and housing associations to enhance the energy performance of social housing. This helps reduce tenants’ bills, improve living standards and assist landlords with decarbonisation targets.
Warm Home Discount
An existing energy bill support initiative that continues alongside the Warm Homes Plan, offering financial assistance with energy costs to eligible households.
How the Warm Homes Plan Operates
Eligibility
Support is mainly directed towards low-income households and homes with poor energy efficiency ratings, particularly properties with lower EPC scores. Specific eligibility requirements vary depending on the scheme and local authority.
Local Delivery
Councils play an essential role in identifying qualifying households, assessing local housing stock and coordinating installations through approved contractors and retrofit specialists.
Energy Efficiency Improvements
Measures available under Warm Homes schemes may include:
- Loft and wall insulation
- Draught-proofing and improved ventilation
- Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems
- Battery storage
- Heat pump installation
- Advanced heating controls
All improvements are designed to be carefully assessed and tailored to each property, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach.
Who is Eligible?
The scheme is primarily intended for lower-income households in England, particularly those living in inefficient or hard-to-heat homes. Eligibility criteria and application processes differ depending on the specific scheme and local authority.
Homeowners and tenants are typically encouraged to:
- Check eligibility through their local council, or
- Review official government guidance and scheme details.
Current Position
The Warm Homes Plan is now being rolled out, with funding distributed and schemes actively delivered across England via local authorities, social landlords and national initiatives such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
Looking to Reduce Your Energy Bills, Improve Your Home’s Heating and Energy Efficiency?
Contact HEART to find out more about the Warm Homes Plan and register your interest today, or call HEART on 0800 520 0280 for professional advice, home surveys and installation support.
Source: www.gov.uk The Warm Homes Plan
