Independent Guidance
Could your London home qualify for free energy improvements?
The Warm Homes Plan is the government's programme for funding insulation, heating upgrades, and energy improvements in eligible homes. This site provides independent guidance to help London homeowners and landlords understand their options.
What is the Warm Homes Plan?
The Warm Homes Plan is the UK government's successor to ECO4, introduced in 2026 with a budget of around £13.2 billion over this parliament. It is designed to improve the energy efficiency of homes across England, with a particular focus on low-income households and properties with poor energy ratings.
The main delivery route for private homeowners and renters in London is the Warm Homes: Local Grant, administered through local authorities. Each London borough holds its own allocation and manages referrals. For social housing, a separate Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund operates alongside it.
Improvements funded under the scheme can include insulation, heat pumps, solar panels, and heating upgrades. In many cases, eligible households pay nothing towards the cost of the works.
Are you eligible?
There are two main routes to eligibility. Your property must also have an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G.
Benefits-based eligibility
You may qualify if you or someone in your household receives:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Local Authority Flex
Each London borough can refer households that do not receive qualifying benefits but are still considered fuel poor or on a low income.
This route gives councils flexibility to support households that fall just outside the benefits criteria. Eligibility varies by borough.
Contact your local council's housing or energy team, or use the form below and we can help identify the right route for your situation.
Property requirement: In both cases, your property must have a current EPC rating of D, E, F, or G. Properties already rated A, B, or C are unlikely to qualify unless specific circumstances apply. If you do not have a current EPC, one can be arranged as part of the assessment process.
What improvements can be funded?
The specific measures funded depend on your property type, current energy rating, and what is appropriate for the building. Common improvements include:
Loft insulation
Insulating an uninsulated or poorly insulated loft is one of the most cost-effective measures available.
Cavity wall insulation
For properties with unfilled cavity walls, insulation can significantly reduce heat loss.
Solid wall insulation
Internal or external insulation for pre-1920 solid-wall properties, common across London.
Air source heat pumps
A low-carbon alternative to gas boilers, eligible for funding in appropriate properties.
Solar panels
Photovoltaic panels to generate electricity, where the property and roof are suitable.
Heating upgrades
First-time central heating systems and upgrades to inefficient existing systems.
Smart heating controls
Programmable thermostats and zone controls to reduce energy waste.
Why a retrofit assessment is required first
Before any Warm Homes Plan funded work can begin, a PAS 2035 Retrofit Assessment is required. This is a mandatory part of the process and applies regardless of which funding route is used.
The assessment surveys the property in detail: its construction, insulation levels, heating system, ventilation, and moisture. The result is an Improvement Measures Report that sets out which works are appropriate for the property, and in what order they should be carried out.
The sequencing of improvements matters. Installing insulation in a property with inadequate ventilation, for example, can cause condensation and damp. The PAS 2035 standard exists to ensure improvements are safe and effective, and to protect both the occupant and the public investment in the works.
How the process works
Check your eligibility
Use the form on this site or contact your local London borough council. Eligibility depends on your household circumstances and your property's current EPC rating.
Book a retrofit assessment
An accredited Retrofit Assessor visits your property and produces a PAS 2035-compliant Improvement Measures Report. This is the required first step before any funded work can begin.
Improvements are carried out
An eligible installer carries out the approved works under the oversight of a Retrofit Coordinator. In most cases, there is no cost to the homeowner or tenant.
Find out if your home qualifies
Use the form below to get in touch. We will review your situation and advise on the most appropriate funding route for your property.
Check Your Eligibility