Asked about grants, rules and paperwork
What help does Home Energy Scotland give?
Answered by Asked in Ayrshire · Updated · Sources at the foot
Home Energy Scotland gives free, impartial advice on heating and energy saving, and runs the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan for heat pumps, insulation and other improvements to Scottish homes.
Home Energy Scotland is the first call for most heating questions in Scotland. Its own site says it is funded by the Scottish Government and managed by Energy Saving Trust, and that its advice is free and impartial. The advice line is 0808 808 2282.
It does not install anything itself. What it does is explain the options, point you at the right funding, and handle the grant and loan applications. That makes it a good starting point before you ask any installer for a price.
What grants are available as of November 2026?
The Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan page lists these headline figures, checked November 2026:
- Heat pumps (air, ground or water source), heat network connections and wood-fuelled biomass boilers: up to £7,500 grant plus up to £7,500 interest-free loan.
- Energy efficiency: grant of up to 75% of the combined cost, to a maximum of £7,500, with the rest available as a loan. Solid wall insulation can get up to £7,500 grant; loft, cavity and underfloor insulation up to £1,500.
- Renewables such as solar thermal: loan only.
- Rural and island homes: an extra £1,500 on both the heating and the energy efficiency grants.
Replacement heat pumps get no grant but can get an interest-free loan of up to £7,500. Spray foam insulation is not funded.
Who can apply?
The property must be an existing home in Scotland, and you must be the homeowner living there as your only or main home. You do not need to be on benefits. Funding is first come, first served, and can end when the financial year closes or the money runs out.
The terms and conditions add two conditions people trip over: you need an energy report recommending the improvement, and you must not start work before you receive a written funding offer.
What does the loan cost?
The loans are interest-free, but there is an administration fee of 1.5% of the loan value, capped at £150. Repayment runs up to 5 years for loans under £5,000, 10 years for £5,000 to £9,999, and 12 years for £10,000 and over.
What if money is tight?
If someone in the household is on a passport benefit, is 75 or over with no working heating, or holds a medical DS1500 or BASRiS certificate, Warmer Homes Scotland may fund improvements such as insulation and central heating, including air source heat pumps. The home must have a poor energy rating, a floor area of 230m² or less and be in council tax band A to G. Home Energy Scotland's advisers refer eligible households on.
What to look at first
- Whether the house is your only or main home and you own it.
- Your EPC or a Home Energy Scotland energy report.
- Whether your postcode counts as rural for the uplift.
- Whether anyone in the household could qualify for Warmer Homes Scotland.
- That no work has started yet.
Yours to do, and theirs
You can
- Phone 0808 808 2282 or use the online funding finder.
- Get the energy report and keep the written offer safe.
- Get quotes only from MCS certified installers for heat pumps.
Leave to them
- Home Energy Scotland advisers check eligibility and process applications.
- An MCS certified installer fits the heat pump; Warmworks assesses Warmer Homes Scotland homes.
| Improvement | Grant | Interest-free loan |
|---|---|---|
| Heat pump | Up to £7,500 (plus £1,500 rural) | Up to £7,500 |
| Solid wall insulation | Up to £7,500 | Up to £2,500 |
| Loft, cavity or underfloor insulation | Up to £1,500 | Up to £500 |
| Solar thermal | None | Up to £5,000 |
In short
Home Energy Scotland is free, impartial and the route to the Scottish grant and loan. As of November 2026 a heat pump can get up to £7,500 grant, more in rural areas, but only if you wait for the written offer before work begins.
Also asked about this
Can landlords use the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan?
The grant page says the home must be the applicant's own only or main residence. Landlords should ask the advice line which schemes fit a rented house.
Does Home Energy Scotland help with oil tank problems?
Oil tanks are not on its grant and loan list. For tank questions see does my oil tank need a bund.
How long does a funding offer last?
The grant page says funding agreements are valid for nine months.
Is there more for houses in the country?
Yes, an extra £1,500 on both grants for eligible rural and island homes; see is there extra help for rural homes.
Where do we start if we want a heat pump?
Get the energy report first, then read should we swap the oil boiler for a heat pump.