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Three government-backed routes can help with heating costs, but each has different eligibility rules. This guide explains who qualifies for ECO4, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) and the Warm Homes Local Grant so you can identify which route fits your situation.
<EligibilitySnapshot title="Possible grant routes" items='["ECO4: qualifying benefits plus EPC E, F or G (private rented) or council referral via Flex","BUS: homeowner replacing fossil-fuel heating with a heat pump, £7,500 towards air-to-water or ground-source","Warm Homes Local Grant: private home EPC D to G, usually household income at most £36,000"]' ctaLabel="Check my eligibility" ctaHref="/check-eligibility/" />The available schemes differ by country and by the type of heating work.
ECO4 is delivered by energy suppliers under Ofgem rules. It funds insulation, heating controls and, in some cases, boiler replacements or first-time central heating for low-income and vulnerable households. ECO4 runs until 31 December 2026 (Ofgem, ECO4 Guidance v3.0).
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) provides fixed grants towards heat pumps and biomass boilers that replace fossil-fuel systems. It does not fund like-for-like gas or oil boiler replacements. BUS is confirmed through fiscal year 2029/30 under the Warm Homes Plan (GOV.UK, BUS extension).
Current BUS grant values (from 21 July 2026):
| Technology | Standard grant | Off-gas-grid oil/LPG replacement (until March 2027) |
|---|---|---|
| Air-to-water heat pump | £7,500 | £9,000 |
| Ground-source heat pump | £7,500 | £9,000 |
| Air-to-air heat pump | £2,500 | £2,500 |
| Biomass boiler | £5,000 | £5,000 |
Fossil-fuel hybrid systems do not qualify as the new installation.
The Warm Homes Local Grant funds energy-efficiency improvements for private homes in England rated EPC D to G. Councils deliver the scheme using national eligibility rules alongside local funding decisions. A national application portal exists at GOV.UK. It funds eligible insulation and low-carbon heating, not new gas or oil boilers. Funding delivery runs to March 2028 (GOV.UK, Warm Homes Local Grant).
Scotland has separate support programmes. ECO4 operates in Great Britain, including Scotland. Exclusion from BUS does not mean no Scottish funding exists; check Energy Grants Scotland for details.
Each scheme uses different income and benefit tests.
ECO4 eligibility is not automatic for every benefit claimant. Ofgem specifies qualifying benefits including Universal Credit, Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and income-related Employment and Support Allowance, among others. Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit ended on 5 April 2025 and are no longer qualifying benefits.
Even with a qualifying benefit, your home's tenure, EPC rating and the specific measures proposed all affect whether a supplier will fund the work. For private rented homes, GOV.UK specifies EPC E, F or G. Councils can also refer households through the ECO Flex route, but this is a referral pathway, not guaranteed funding.
BUS has no income or benefit test. Any homeowner (or certain long leaseholders) replacing eligible fossil-fuel heating can apply, provided they use an MCS-certified installer. Most new builds and social housing are excluded.
The usual route requires household income of at most £36,000. Qualifying benefits or specific postcodes can provide alternative routes. A landlord may need to contribute. Council surveys and available local funding determine which improvements are offered.
Yes, property type and tenure matter for every scheme.
Owner-occupiers have the widest access. BUS is available to property owners in England and Wales. ECO4 covers owner-occupied and privately rented homes. The Warm Homes Local Grant covers private homes.
Private tenants may qualify for ECO4 (with landlord consent) if the property meets the EPC threshold. BUS grants go to the property owner, so a private tenant would need their landlord to apply. The Warm Homes Local Grant can include privately rented homes, though the landlord may need to contribute.
Social housing tenants are generally excluded from BUS. ECO4 can fund measures in social housing, but the social landlord applies. The Warm Homes Local Grant targets private homes.
EPC rating is relevant for ECO4 (private rented homes need EPC E, F or G) and the Warm Homes Local Grant (EPC D to G). BUS no longer requires outstanding loft or cavity-wall insulation recommendations to be completed before applying, though insulating first can still improve heat pump performance. For more on how ratings work, see EPC Ratings Explained.
These two schemes serve different purposes.
BUS funds the switch from fossil-fuel heating to low-carbon alternatives. It pays a fixed amount towards a heat pump or biomass boiler. The homeowner pays the remaining installation cost. There is no means test, and the grant is available regardless of your EPC band.
ECO4 is a fuel-poverty programme. It targets households on low incomes or qualifying benefits and can fund a wider range of measures including insulation, heating controls and, where appropriate, boiler replacements. ECO4 can sometimes cover the full cost of eligible measures, but this depends on the energy supplier's assessment.
Illustrative cost example (assumptions stated): If an air-to-water heat pump installation were quoted at £12,000 (a hypothetical figure for illustration only), the BUS grant of £7,500 would leave £4,500 for the homeowner to pay. Actual installation costs vary by property, system size and installer. For more on heat pump costs, see Air Source Heat Pump UK.
A household cannot claim both BUS and ECO4 for the same measure, but different measures in the same property could potentially be funded through different routes.
Several options remain if you do not currently meet the criteria.
ECO Flex referral. Your local council may refer you through the ECO Flex route even if you do not receive a qualifying benefit. Participating councils use the national ECO4 Flex framework and publish how their local referral route operates. Contact your council to ask whether you might qualify.
Wait for scheme changes. ECO4 runs until 31 December 2026. BUS funding is confirmed through fiscal year 2029/30. Eligibility criteria can change, so checking periodically is worthwhile.
Check the EPC evidence. If an assessment contains a factual error, ask the assessor how to correct it. Improving an already efficient home will not make it eligible for a grant aimed at inefficient homes. Our EPC improvement guide explains possible upgrades.
Installed energy-saving materials currently qualify for zero-rate VAT through 31 March 2027, then a scheduled 5% rate applies. This applies only to qualifying measures and conditions, not automatically to gas or oil boiler replacements or supply-only DIY materials.
<EligibilityCtaInline title="Could funding help?" description="Check possible routes; an installer confirms eligibility." buttonLabel="Check my eligibility" />Start by identifying which scheme fits your situation.
For BUS, your MCS-certified installer applies on your behalf through the Ofgem portal. You need to own the property, be replacing fossil-fuel heating and have the installation commissioned within 120 days of applying (GOV.UK, BUS eligibility).
For ECO4, contact an ECO-approved installer or your energy supplier. Your council can also refer you through the Flex route. The installer or supplier assesses your home and submits the application.
For the Warm Homes Local Grant, apply through the national GOV.UK portal or contact your local council directly.
Eco's eligibility checker can indicate which routes may be available based on your circumstances. It is a screening tool; installers and councils make the final eligibility decisions.
For a broader look at boiler funding, see Boiler Grants UK 2026.
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