Pensioners, renters and low-income families to get free home upgrades

Energy experts say the scheme could transform freezing homes into cheaper-to-run properties, while helping households slash monthly costs during the cost-of-living squeeze.

Here’s what’s really on offer – and when it’s expected to happen.

Free home upgrades for millions

Under the Warm Homes Plan, around 3 million homes are expected to be improved by 2030.

That includes:

• 1.3 million social homes
• 1.7 million privately owned or rented properties funded directly through the scheme

If eligible, households could get upgrades completely free of charge, including:

• Solar panels
• Heat pumps
• Home batteries
• Loft insulation
• Cavity wall insulation

Sustainability expert Simon Bones says every property will get a tailored plan designed to cut bills and improve efficiency.

“The government’s home energy efficiency plans, largely contained in the Warm Homes Plan launched in January this year, aim to make homes in Britain more efficient,” he says.

And unlike older schemes focused mainly on insulation, the new push is heavily geared towards modern tech that can dramatically reduce energy use.

The full details are listed here.

Boiler upgrade scheme could cut £9,000 off bills

One of the biggest discounts already available is through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

Right now, households can get:

• £7,500 towards a new heat pump
• Rising to £9,000 from July for some oil and LPG households switching to greener heating

That could wipe out a huge chunk of installation costs.

Heat pumps are usually expensive upfront, but experts say the grants make them far more realistic for ordinary households.

Landlords face strict deadline

Private landlords are also under pressure.

By October 2030, most rental properties will need to hit the equivalent of an EPC C energy rating – or landlords may not legally be able to rent them out.

That means millions of tenants could benefit from:

• Better insulation
• New heating systems
• Lower energy bills
• Warmer homes in winter

Experts warn a massive landlord retrofit scramble is now likely over the next few years.

New builds to come with solar panels as standard

The Government’s Future Homes Standard will also tighten rules for newly built homes from 2027.

Many new properties are expected to include:

• Solar panels as standard
• Air-source heat pumps
• Much tougher insulation requirements

The aim is to make homes cheaper to run from day one.

Experts say households should check their home’s EPC rating immediately.

If your property is rated D, E, F or G, you could be considered energy inefficient. That may improve your chances of qualifying for upgrades or support

Renters are being urged to contact landlords and ask what improvements are planned.

Homeowners are being told to look into:

• Green cashback mortgage deals
• Low-cost retrofit loans
• Free online home energy checks

Why do more UK homes not have solar panels and heat pumps?

Despite the generous grants, many households still face a major hurdle: upfront costs.

A full retrofit can still cost between £10,000 and £20,000, depending on the property.

The Government has promised £2 billion in low-cost loans, but details are still unclear.

Experts say cheaper finance could be the key to persuading more middle-income homeowners to upgrade.

Recommended reading:

Supporters of the Warm Homes Plan say the long-term savings could be huge:

• Lower heating bills
• Reduced electricity costs
• Better protection from future energy price spikes
• More comfortable homes year-round

And with energy prices still a major concern for families across Britain, demand for grants and discounts is expected to soar.