Home energy grants and support in 2026

Boiler Upgrade Scheme (England and Wales)

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives £7,500 towards an air source or ground source heat pump when you replace fossil fuel or electric heating. Some off-gas-grid homes replacing oil or LPG heating can currently get £9,000 until 31 March 2027, and a smaller grant is available for air-to-air heat pumps.

You don’t apply yourself. Your MCS-certified installer applies and deducts the grant from your quote.

0% VAT on energy-saving installations

Qualifying installations of solar panels, batteries (including standalone batteries) and heat pumps in homes are zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027. The rate is currently due to return to 5% after that date.

Smart Export Guarantee

If you have solar panels installed by an MCS-certified installer, energy suppliers must offer you a tariff that pays for the spare electricity you export to the grid. Rates vary between suppliers, so it pays to compare.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

In Scotland, Home Energy Scotland offers grants and interest-free loans for many home energy improvements. In Wales, the Nest scheme supports eligible households. In Northern Ireland, the NISEP scheme can help. Eligibility varies, so check the details for your area.

Support for lower-income households

Households on lower incomes or certain benefits may qualify for additional, sometimes fully funded, support through government and local council schemes. Your council or installer can point you in the right direction.

How to make the most of it

Choose MCS-certified installers, ask each one which schemes apply to you, and check the grant is shown clearly on your quote. When you send a request through EnergyMatch UK, your matched installers can check what you may be eligible for.

Schemes and rules can change. Details correct as of September 2026. EnergyMatch UK is not affiliated with any government department or scheme.