UK home energy grants and schemes in 2026
In 2026 the main UK home energy supports are the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (a 7,500 pound grant towards a heat pump), ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme for insulation, 0% VAT on qualifying materials, and EV chargepoint grants. Eligibility and end dates differ, so check each scheme directly.
There is no single UK home energy grant. There is a patchwork of separate schemes, each with its own eligibility, value and end date, run by different bodies (gov.uk, Ofgem, HMRC). This guide maps the ones that are live in 2026, with the published value of each linked to its primary source, and points you to the right tier of the site once you know which one applies to your home.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme: 7,500 pounds towards a heat pump
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) gives a grant of 7,500 pounds towards an air source or ground source heat pump in England and Wales, paid to your installer who takes it off your bill. It is the single largest published grant for a home energy upgrade. The property must have a valid EPC with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation, and the work must be done by an MCS-certified installer.
The 7,500 pound figure is a published gov.uk grant value, which is why we state it precisely. The actual installed cost of a heat pump varies by property and is best handled as a get-a-quote band, not a fixed number.
ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme: insulation support
ECO4 (the fourth phase of the Energy Company Obligation) and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) are obligation schemes delivered through energy suppliers, focused on insulation and heating measures for eligible households. Both are administered by Ofgem and are scheduled to run to 31 March 2026, so check the current status before you rely on them. Eligibility is means-tested or tied to the property EPC band and council tax band for parts of GBIS.
0% VAT on energy-saving materials
A 0% VAT rate applies to qualifying energy-saving materials installed in residential property, covering solar panels, batteries, heat pumps and insulation, under HMRC VAT Notice 708/6. This relief is in force until 31 March 2027 and is then set to revert to 5%. It is applied by the installer at the point of sale, so you do not claim it back yourself.
EV chargepoint grants
The EV chargepoint grant gives up to 350 pounds towards a home chargepoint for people living in flats and rental accommodation, with separate grants for landlords and for cross-pavement or on-street solutions. The headline household grant is a published OZEV figure, which is why we state it; installation must use an OZEV-authorised installer.
How to use these together
The schemes are not mutually exclusive, but they have rules about stacking. A practical order is: get a valid EPC first, because several schemes require one and it tells you which measures are recommended; clear any low-cost insulation recommendations (often the cheapest carbon saving and a BUS pre-condition); then layer the larger measures using the relevant grant and the 0% VAT relief. Always confirm current eligibility on the gov.uk or Ofgem page before committing, because scheme dates and budgets change.
Common questions
Is there one grant that covers a whole home upgrade?
No. The UK runs separate schemes for heat pumps (Boiler Upgrade Scheme), insulation (ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme) and EV charging, each with its own eligibility and end date. You apply to each one that fits your property and circumstances.
How much is the heat pump grant in 2026?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant is 7,500 pounds towards an air source or ground source heat pump in England and Wales, paid to an MCS-certified installer who deducts it from your bill. The property needs a valid EPC with no outstanding insulation recommendations.
Do I pay VAT on solar panels or insulation?
Qualifying energy-saving materials, including solar PV, batteries, heat pumps and insulation, carry 0% VAT until 31 March 2027 under HMRC Notice 708/6, after which the rate is set to return to 5%. The installer applies the relief at the point of sale.
When do the insulation schemes end?
ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme are both scheduled to run to 31 March 2026 according to Ofgem. Because obligation-scheme dates and budgets can change, check the current Ofgem page before relying on either.
Sources
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Reviewed by Oliver Mackman, Editor. Last reviewed: 2026-06-12. Sorted Property is an independent comparison and introducer, not a lender or installer.