INSIGHTS & GUIDES
UK Government Heating Grants 2026: What Funding Is Available?
Government support can reduce the cost of some home energy and heating upgrades, but there is currently no general UK government grant specifically for installing infrared heaters.
Instead, current funding focuses mainly on measures such as heat pumps, insulation, solar PV, battery storage and broader improvements for eligible households.
That distinction matters if you are researching a new heating system. A grant may be available for one part of a wider home-energy upgrade without necessarily funding the infrared heating itself.
This guide explains the main schemes available in 2026, what they currently support and where infrared heating fits into the wider picture.
Quick Answer
Can You Get a Government Grant for Infrared Heating?
Infrared heating is not currently one of the main technologies directly supported by the national heating grants covered in this guide.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is focused on eligible heat pumps and biomass boilers, while the wider Warm Homes Plan supports technologies and measures including heat pumps, solar, batteries and energy-efficiency improvements.
Eligibility and available measures vary between schemes, so always check the current official rules before committing to an installation.
UK Heating and Energy Grants at a Glance
National Programme
Warm Homes Plan
£15 billion of public investment supporting home upgrades including clean heating, solar, batteries and energy efficiency.
Heating Grant
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Provides grants towards eligible heat pumps and, in limited circumstances, biomass boilers in England and Wales.
Eligible Households
ECO4
Energy-supplier obligation focused on improving the energy efficiency of eligible households. ECO4 currently runs to 31 December 2026.
Local Delivery
Warm Homes: Local Grant
Local-authority-delivered support in England for eligible low-income households in poorer-performing privately owned homes.
The Warm Homes Plan
The UK Government launched the Warm Homes Plan in January 2026, committing £15 billion of public investment to home upgrades.
The plan aims to upgrade up to five million homes by 2030 and includes support intended to expand technologies and measures such as:
- Solar PV
- Battery storage
- Heat pumps and clean heating
- Insulation and other energy-efficiency improvements
- Targeted support for lower-income households and fuel-poor homes
The Warm Homes Plan is best understood as an umbrella programme rather than a single grant that every homeowner applies for in the same way. Funding is delivered through a number of individual programmes and mechanisms.
What about infrared heating? Infrared heaters are not identified as one of the principal directly funded technologies in the current national offer described above. Do not assume that purchasing an infrared heater will automatically qualify for government funding.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) supports eligible property owners in England and Wales with part of the cost of installing qualifying low-carbon heating technologies.
Current grant values include:
| Technology | Current Grant | Important Note |
|---|---|---|
| Air-to-water heat pump | £7,500 | Higher support can apply to certain eligible off-gas-grid properties replacing oil or LPG. |
| Ground-source heat pump | £7,500 | Includes qualifying water-source heat pumps and shared ground-loop installations. |
| Air-to-air heat pump | £2,500 | Subject to the scheme's current eligibility rules. |
| Biomass boiler | £5,000 | Available only in qualifying circumstances. |
Certain eligible off-gas-grid properties replacing oil or LPG heating can currently receive £9,000 towards qualifying air-to-water or ground-source heat pumps.
Infrared heaters are not a Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant category.
If you are deciding between electric infrared heating and a heat-pump system rather than simply looking for the largest available grant, see our infrared vs air source heat pumps guide.
Energy Company Obligation — ECO4
The Energy Company Obligation places obligations on energy suppliers to support energy-efficiency improvements for eligible households.
ECO4 is particularly focused on improving poorer-performing homes and supporting households that meet the scheme's eligibility criteria.
The government confirmed that the current ECO4 scheme has been extended to 31 December 2026.
The measures available depend on the property, household eligibility and the scheme rules. Infrared heaters should therefore not be presented as automatically qualifying for ECO4 funding.
If you believe you may qualify for ECO4, check the current eligibility and approved measures through official channels before selecting equipment or agreeing to installation work.
Warm Homes: Local Grant
Another important programme is the Warm Homes: Local Grant, which is delivered through local authorities in England.
It provides energy-performance and low-carbon-heating improvements for eligible lower-income households living in poorer-performing privately owned homes.
The programme covers both owner-occupied and private-rented properties where the relevant eligibility requirements are met, and delivery is planned through to March 2028.
The exact improvements offered are determined through the programme and local delivery arrangements. This means homeowners should contact their local authority or the relevant scheme provider rather than assuming a particular heating product will be funded.
Local Authority and Regional Energy Grants
Funding can also vary considerably depending on where you live.
Councils and regional programmes may administer government-backed schemes or provide additional local support for eligible households.
Because availability, qualifying measures, income thresholds and property requirements can change, there is no reliable single list of local grants that will remain accurate indefinitely.
Check your local authority's current energy-efficiency support before starting work if grant eligibility is an important part of your decision.
Infrared Heating & Funding
Where Does Infrared Heating Fit?
Not receiving a specific infrared-heating grant does not determine whether infrared is the right heating technology for a property.
Infrared heating offers a different approach to space heating, using radiant energy to warm people and surrounding surfaces rather than relying primarily on heating the air.
Depending on the property and system design, infrared can be useful where you want:
- Independent room or zone control
- Targeted heating of particular occupied spaces
- An all-electric heating system
- A solution for intermittently occupied rooms or buildings
- A heating system that can operate alongside electricity generated by solar PV
The important point is to choose the heating system based on the building, required output, installation and how the space is actually used — rather than choosing a technology solely because a grant is available.
If you are considering infrared, use our Infrared Heating Wattage Calculator to estimate the output required before selecting heaters.
How to Check Which Energy Grants You Can Get
01
Identify the Scheme
Establish whether you are looking for support with heating, insulation, renewable generation or a wider whole-house upgrade. Different schemes support different measures.
02
Check Your Property and Household Eligibility
Eligibility can depend on property ownership, location, income, existing heating system, EPC performance and the technology being installed.
03
Check the Official Rules
Use GOV.UK, Ofgem or your local authority to confirm the current scheme rather than relying on an old article, installer advertisement or historic grant amount.
04
Assess the Building Before Choosing the Heating
Insulation, room dimensions, heat loss, usage and available installation options should all be considered before deciding which heating technology is appropriate.
05
Compare the Complete Cost
Consider equipment, installation, controls, running costs and the suitability of the system for your property rather than comparing grants alone.
UK Heating Grant FAQs
Can I get a government grant for infrared heating in the UK?
There is currently no general national government grant specifically for installing infrared heaters under the main schemes covered in this guide. Always check individual local or targeted programmes separately because eligibility and supported measures can vary.
Can I get £7,500 towards a new heating system?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme currently provides £7,500 towards qualifying air-to-water and ground-source heat pumps, subject to its eligibility rules. It is not a £7,500 grant for any type of heating system.
Does the Boiler Upgrade Scheme cover infrared panels?
No. Infrared heating panels are not currently one of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant categories.
Is ECO4 still available in 2026?
Yes. The government extended ECO4 to 31 December 2026. Eligibility and the measures available depend on the household, property and scheme requirements.
What is the Warm Homes Plan?
The Warm Homes Plan is the government's wider programme of public investment in home upgrades, including support for measures such as clean heating, solar, batteries and energy efficiency. It is not simply one universal grant that every household can claim.
Should I choose a heating system based on the available grant?
Grant support can affect the financial comparison, but the heating system should also be suitable for the property, required output, installation constraints and the way the building is used.
Considering Infrared Heating?
Work Out What Your Property Actually Needs
Government funding changes over time, but the first step in choosing any heating system remains understanding the building and its heating requirement.
Use our Wattage Calculator to estimate the infrared heating output required, compare infrared heating with air-source heat pumps, or speak with our heating specialists about your project.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Government grants, eligibility criteria and funding levels can change. Check the current official scheme information before making a financial or installation decision.
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