Which schemes apply in Wales
| Scheme | Who it is for | What it offers |
|---|---|---|
| Nest | Lower-income owner-occupiers and private tenants | Free improvements after a home assessment |
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme | Property owners, whatever their income | £7,500 towards an eligible heat pump |
| ECO4 | Households on qualifying benefits, or lower incomes through the council | Insulation and heating, until 31 December 2026 |
| Green Homes Wales | Homeowners, subject to credit checks | Interest-free loans of £1,000 to £25,000 |
| Warm Homes: Local Grant | — | Not available: England only |
Nest: the Welsh Government’s free scheme
Nest is the Welsh Government’s energy efficiency scheme for lower-income households. The current version started on 1 April 2024. It provides free advice to anyone and, for households that qualify, free home improvements.
What Nest can install
After a whole-house assessment, Nest can fund a package of improvements such as a heat pump, insulation or solar panels. If the home has no working heating or hot water, it may repair or replace a boiler or electric storage heaters. The package is chosen for the home, not by the applicant.
Who qualifies
You need all three of these:
- Tenure. You own your home or rent it from a private landlord. Council and housing association tenants cannot apply. Private tenants need their landlord’s permission for any work.
- Income. Someone in the household receives a means-tested benefit, such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit or income-related Council Tax Reduction, or the household has a low income. Several older benefits moved to Universal Credit in 2026, so check the official eligibility page for the current list.
- Energy rating. The home has an EPC rating of 54 (E) or below, or 68 (D) or below where someone in the household has an eligible health condition (such as a respiratory or circulatory condition, a mental health condition or dementia).
The low-income route uses household income after mortgage or rent payments, and disability-related payments are not counted. Some of the annual thresholds:
| Household | Income below |
|---|---|
| Single adult, no children | £15,521 |
| Couple, no children | £23,166 |
| One adult, one child under 14 | £20,155 |
| Couple, one child under 14 | £27,799 |
| Single pensioner | £15,521 |
| Pensioner couple | £23,166 |
The full table, including larger households, is on the Nest eligibility page.
How to apply
Call Nest free on 0808 808 2244, Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm, or request a callback. Calls and emails are welcome in Welsh. If you are eligible, an assessor visits your home.
Demand is high
The Welsh Government reports a surge in applications to Nest since ECO4’s closure was announced, and not every eligible household ends up with an installation. Apply early, and keep other routes in mind.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme in Wales
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is open in England and Wales. It offers £7,500 towards an eligible air source or ground source heat pump, and more for eligible off-gas homes replacing oil or LPG heating, until 31 March 2027. There is no income test, and landlords can use it for rented homes. Your MCS-certified installer applies for you. See the Boiler Upgrade Scheme page, or the off-gas heat pump grant if you heat with oil or LPG.
Oil and LPG homes in Wales
Many rural homes in Wales are off the gas grid and heated by oil or LPG. If yours is one of them, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme currently offers a higher value: up to £9,000 instead of £7,500, for an eligible air source or ground source heat pump, where the property meets the scheme’s off-gas definition and the application is properly made by 31 March 2027. A capped gas meter at the property still counts as mains gas.
Our guides explain what the switch involves: replacing an oil boiler with a heat pump, replacing an LPG boiler, and how to check if your home is off the gas grid.
If you rent
- Private tenants can apply to Nest, but the landlord has to give permission for the work. You will need to give their details when you apply.
- Landlords can use the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for a rented property, through an MCS-certified installer, whatever their income.
- Council and housing association tenants cannot use Nest. Improvements to social homes are the landlord’s responsibility, so ask them directly.
ECO4 in Wales
ECO4 applies across England, Wales and Scotland until 31 December 2026. It can fund insulation and heating for households receiving certain benefits, or on lower incomes through a council’s Flex route. The Welsh Government has confirmed there will be no GB-wide replacement. See our ECO4 page.
Green Homes Wales loans
For homeowners who do not qualify for free help, Green Homes Wales offers interest-free loans of £1,000 to £25,000, repaid over up to 10 years, for improvements including heat pumps, solar panels and battery storage. You need to get energy advice from Nest first, and applications are subject to affordability and credit checks.
The Warm Homes: Local Grant does not apply
The Warm Homes: Local Grant is only available in England. In Wales, Nest fills the same role for lower-income households.
Comparing with the rest of the UK?
Our guides to insulation grants and the free boiler grant cover each nation side by side.
Check which schemes fit your home
Tell us what heats your home and whether you own it. We will take you to our eligibility check with those answers filled in. It is free, and nothing is sent until you choose to send it.
