- The government has published its £15bn Warm Homes Plan, aiming to upgrade up to five million homes and help cut bills long-term
- Support includes free upgrade packages for low-income households, plus new finance options for homeowners to pay over time
- Upgrades include insulation, solar panels, batteries, smart controls and heat pumps
We’ve had lots of questions this week about the Warm Homes Plan, and for good reason. The government says this is the biggest public investment yet into home upgrades, with the goal of making warmer homes and lower bills feel more achievable for more households.
At RES CIC, our job is to help you make sense of announcements like this and work out what’s realistic for your home, budget and timeline.
What’s included in the Warm Homes Plan?
The plan is built around three big ideas: direct support, affordable finance and better standards for rented homes. In practical terms, the Warm Homes Plan energy efficiency upgrades funding is being split across several offerings, including:
Free (or fully paid-for) home upgrades for low-income households like insulation, solar panels, home batteries and heat pumps
New cheap loans to spread the cost so people can pay back upgrades over time (more details expected later in 2026)
Boiler Upgrade Scheme stays in place; funding planned through 2029/30
More emphasis on combining clean tech (solar, batteries and heat pumps)
Stronger rules and protections for renters
What will this mean for me?
If you’re on a low income (or in fuel poverty)
You may be eligible for fully funded upgrades, but they’ll typically be targeted where they make the most impact (think insulation and heating improvements, sometimes solar.)
If you’re a homeowner who can afford monthly payments
The plan promises low/zero-interest finance for measures like solar panels, batteries and heat pumps. The loan scheme isn’t open yet, however; the government says more detail will be released later this year.
If you rent your home
Expect more attention on making rented homes warm, safe and affordable. Upgrades may depend on your landlord and local authority. If you’re struggling, it’s still worth starting the conversation now (and documenting issues like damp, mould or unaffordable heating. RES can help with this.)
When will I know if I’m eligible?
Here’s the most helpful way to think about it: some help already exists today, while other parts of the Warm Homes Plan are still being built.
- The Local Warm Homes Grant is already live in many areas of England. Eligibility typically depends on things like EPC (D-G,) living in England and usually household income £36,000 or less (with some postcode/benefit-based flexibility.) If eligible, your council should contact you and arrange a home survey.
- For the new low/zero-interest loans, you can’t apply yet, and it’s worth being cautious. Consumer groups are warning people to ignore unsolicited messages claiming they can get you access right now.
If you want the quickest route to clear advice, you can use our RES eligibility checker and we’ll point you towards the most suitable options.
Which energy measures are right for me?
The best upgrades depend on your property type (e.g. age, category of wall) and current heating situation, especially insulation levels and your current heating system. A simple rule of thumb is:
- “fabric first” (i.e. Loft insulation, cavity wall insulation)
- Tech (Heat pumps, boiler upgrades etc)
- Smart/renewable energy sources (Solar PV)
Not sure where to start? A Home Energy Assessment can map out the right order of improvements.
If you’d like us to help you understand what you could qualify for under current schemes and how the Warm Homes Plan changes might affect you as more details are released, complete our quick eligibility form and a friendly RES advisor will be in touch.