Warm Homes Plan 2026
What the UK's biggest home upgrade scheme means for Northern Ireland
The UK government has announced £15 billion in funding to upgrade up to 5 million homes. Here's what NI homeowners need to know about free solar panels, heat pump grants, and energy efficiency support.
Last updated: January 2026
Northern Ireland Update
Northern Ireland will receive dedicated funding as part of devolved government allocations. Specific details on eligibility criteria and how to apply in NI are expected to be announced in 2026. This page will be updated as more information is released.
£15bn
Public investment
5m
Homes eligible
£7,500
Heat pump grant
180k
New jobs by 2030
The Three Pillars of the Warm Homes Plan
Free Upgrades for Low-Income Households
£5 billion allocated for fully funded upgrade packages for low-income families and those in fuel poverty. Eligible households could receive:
- Free solar panels and battery storage - packages valued at £9,000-£12,000
- Insulation upgrades - walls, floors, roofs, and draught proofing
- Street-level upgrades for social housing neighbourhoods
Universal Support for All Homeowners
All households can access support through grants and government-backed financing:
- £7,500 heat pump grant - universal support for heat pump installations
- Zero/low-interest loans - government-backed financing for solar, heat pumps, and batteries
- New build standards - solar panels required on all new homes from early 2026
Protections for Renters
New requirements for landlords to improve energy efficiency in rental properties:
- Updated minimum energy standards for private rental properties
- 500,000 families expected to be lifted from fuel poverty through renter upgrades
Technologies Covered
The Warm Homes Plan covers a range of clean energy and efficiency technologies
Solar Panels
Photovoltaic and solar thermal systems for generating electricity and heating water
Heat Pumps
Air source, ground source, and air-to-air heat pumps with £7,500 grant support
Battery Storage
Home and heat batteries to store excess solar energy for later use
Insulation
Wall, floor, and roof insulation to reduce heat loss and energy bills
Draught Proofing
Sealing gaps around windows, doors, and floors to prevent heat escape
Smart Controls
Intelligent heating controls and energy management systems
Programme Goals
1m
Families lifted from fuel poverty by 2030
3x
Target to triple homes with solar panels
70%
Heat pumps to be UK-manufactured
Immediate support: £150 average energy bill reduction from April 2026, plus £150 Warm Home Discount for 6 million eligible households
What This Means for Northern Ireland
Key considerations for NI homeowners as the scheme develops
What we know
- NI will receive dedicated funding allocations
- The programme will run through to 2030
- A new Warm Homes Agency will centralise delivery
- Focus on low-income and fuel-poor households
Still to be confirmed for NI
- Specific funding amount for NI
- Eligibility criteria and income thresholds
- How to apply and application timeline
- Which technologies will be prioritised
Current Support Available in NI
While waiting for Warm Homes Plan details, these incentives are already available
0% VAT on Solar Panels
Save £500-800 on installation costs with zero VAT on solar panels, batteries, and installation. Available until March 2027.
Learn more about VAT savingsSmart Export Guarantee
Earn money for excess electricity you export to the grid. Typical rates range from 3-15p per kWh exported.
Learn more about SEGAffordable Warmth Scheme
Support for low-income households with energy efficiency improvements, primarily focused on heating and insulation.
Visit NIHE websiteEnergy Bill Savings
Even without grants, solar panels offer strong returns with annual savings of £300-800 and payback periods of 7-11 years.
Get a free quoteFrequently Asked Questions
Will the Warm Homes Plan apply to Northern Ireland?
Yes. The UK government has confirmed that Northern Ireland will receive dedicated funding allocations as part of devolved government provisions. However, specific details on how the scheme will be implemented in NI are still to be announced. We'll update this page as more information becomes available.
What is the Warm Homes Plan 2026?
The Warm Homes Plan is the UK government's £15 billion investment programme to upgrade up to 5 million homes by 2030. It includes free upgrades for low-income households, government-backed loans for all homeowners, £7,500 heat pump grants, and new requirements for solar panels on all new-build homes from early 2026.
Can I get free solar panels under the Warm Homes Plan?
Low-income households and those in fuel poverty may be eligible for fully funded upgrade packages, which could include solar panels and battery storage worth £9,000-£12,000. Eligibility criteria for Northern Ireland are expected to be announced in 2026.
What is the £7,500 heat pump grant?
The Warm Homes Plan includes a universal £7,500 grant towards heat pump installations for all households. This grant is designed to make heat pumps affordable for homeowners looking to replace gas or oil boilers with cleaner heating systems.
What technologies are covered by the Warm Homes Plan?
The plan covers solar panels (PV and thermal), heat pumps (air source, ground source, and air-to-air), home and heat batteries, smart controls, wall/floor/roof insulation, and draught proofing. Eligible households may receive a tailored package of these technologies.
When will the Warm Homes Plan start in Northern Ireland?
The UK-wide plan launches in early 2026, but the specific timeline for Northern Ireland will depend on how the devolved funding is implemented. The overall programme runs through to 2030.
Don't wait - start saving now
While Warm Homes Plan details for NI are being finalised, you can already benefit from 0% VAT and significant energy bill savings with solar panels.
Get Free QuotesInformation on this page is based on the UK government's Warm Homes Plan announcement (January 2026). Northern Ireland-specific details are subject to devolved government implementation and may differ from the UK-wide scheme. This page will be updated as more information becomes available. Always verify current schemes with official sources before making decisions.