Applying for home energy efficiency grants: a step-by-step guide

Successfully applying for a grant could save you thousands on upgrading your home’s energy efficiency. We've explained how grants work in our home energy efficiency grants guide, so here we’ll cover how to apply for them. Fortunately, it’s relatively straightforward when you follow these steps..!

Step 1: Identify suitable grants

There are several grants currently available for UK homeowners to consider. These vary depending on where you live, but include:

• Boiler Upgrade Scheme
• Great British Insulation Scheme (formerly ECO+)
• Home Energy Scotland

You can start your research by exploring our Grants and Funding articles, visiting the Government’s Household Energy website, or reading the Energy Savings Trust grants page. For a more tailored approach, you can create a free personalised energy efficiency plan with Snugg. Grants can be hard to understand, and they can change over time and to make it easier for you we look for the grants that may be able to help you finance your plan.

Step 2: Check your eligibility

Each grant has its own set of criteria. If you meet all the criteria for a grant, you’ll be able to apply.

But bear in mind, while you’ll have a good chance of getting accepted, meeting the criteria doesn’t always guarantee you’ll receive the grant.

Criteria can include:

Property-based criteria

• Current energy efficiency: Homes with low energy efficiency ratings are usually prioritised.
• Location: Different grants are available in different parts of the UK.

Household/homeowner criteria

• Income: Some grants are means-tested and only available to households below a certain income threshold.
• Benefits: Certain benefits recipients may be eligible for some grants.
• Tenancy status: Some grants are only available to homeowners, while others are also available to tenants.
• Energy bills: High energy bills can give you priority for certain grants.

Grant-specific criteria

• Type of improvement: Different grants apply to different types of upgrades, such as insulation, heat pumps, solar panels or windows.
• Minimum upgrade cost: Some grants require the upgrade to cost a certain amount before you can claim the grant.
• Timing: Some grants have limited budgets or specific time periods to apply.

Step 3: Apply for the grant

Each grant has a different application process. Some require you to apply directly, while others can be applied for on your behalf by your installer or energy supplier.

For example:

• The Boiler Upgrade Scheme requires you to apply via an MCS certified installer who you’ve chosen to complete the work. Before applying on your behalf, they’ll also check that you meet the eligibility criteria.
• The Great British Insulation Scheme requires you to apply via your energy supplier. The supplier will need to assess your home to check whether its eligible, and you’ll have the option to accept or reject their assessment.
• The Home Energy Scotland Scheme requires you to apply directly via an online application form. This can be done after speaking with them by phone or email to check your eligibility.

Step 4: Receive the grant and start the work

After applying for the grant, you’ll need to wait to hear whether you’re successful. The assessment time can vary depending on the scheme, but typically takes a couple of weeks.

If you’re successful, some schemes require you to complete the installation work within a set amount of time. For example, the Home Energy Scotland Scheme requires you to complete the work within nine months.

Grant schemes don't typically send you a cheque or transfer you the money directly. Instead, the amount is usually received by your installer who claims the funds when they complete the work. They’ll take the grant amount off your invoice, leaving you with less to pay.

‍To see which grants might be suitable for your installation, read our Grants and Funding articles or quickly check your eligibility with Snugg.