Funding and grants
The grants below are available if you need money to help pay for insulation or a new heating system at your home.
There are various green finance options if you're paying for significant upgrades yourself.
Details are expected later in 2026 about the government’s Warm Home Plan. It will offer low or no interest loans for solar panels, home batteries and heat pumps.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is available if both the following are true. You must:
- own an eligible property
- replace a fossil fuel heating system
The scheme offers £7,500 towards upgrades such as a heat pump. The grant may not cover all the installation costs. Check if your property is eligible and apply online:
Apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme | GOV.UK
For information about heat pumps, visit the government’s Clean Energy website.
Funding for low-income households
Extra grants are available for low-income households only. They are the Warm Homes Local Grant and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) grant.
Warm Homes Local Grant
The Warm Homes Local Grant provides energy performance upgrades and low carbon heating to households that:
- are low income
- have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of D, E, F or G - if you do not know your home's EPC, you can find it out when you apply
- are privately owned (owner occupied or privately rented).
Your household income must usually be £36,000 a year or less. If you earn more than that, you might still be eligible if you live in a certain postcode area or if someone in your household is getting certain benefits.
For more information about eligibility, and to apply, contact the Warm Home Check service.
This government grant scheme is managed by Lewes and Eastbourne Councils on behalf of all councils in East Sussex. It only uses experienced contractors that have been thoroughly vetted. All work is overseen by an independent assessor and is covered by both insurance backed guarantee and strict contract requirements. The main contractor for upgrading homes in the Wealden area is Osborne Energy, and the main contractor for upgrading homes in Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes and Rother areas is RetrofitWorks.
Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
This grant is available for insulation and heating upgrades for low-income and vulnerable households. To find out more:
- Talk to your energy supplier or any obligated energy supplier.
- Contact the Warm Home Check service
There are quality issues with some solid wall insulation fitted through the Energy Company Obligation scheme. Check what to do if you’re concerned about the insulation you’ve had fitted through a government scheme. You can also contact the Warm Home Check service for advice.
Warm Home Discount (WHD)
This is an automatic, one-off £150 discount on your electricity bill. You get it if you receive means-tested benefits, and your name is on your electricity account.
Cold Weather Payment (CWP)
If the temperature drops below zero for 7 days in a row, you’ll get this payment if you receive:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
Winter Fuel Payment (WFP)
This payment of either £200 or £300 is for people born before 22 September 1959 who have an income of less than £35,000.
The exact amount you might receive will depend on who lives in your household, and how old they are. If your income is over £35,000, you will still receive the Winter Fuel Payment, but HMRC will take your payment back. This will happen either through Pay As You Earn (PAYE), with a change to your tax code, or through your Self Assessment tax return (if you complete one).
