The Warm Homes Plan is the UK government's flagship energy efficiency programme — £15 billion of investment aimed at upgrading 5 million homes and lifting a million families out of fuel poverty by 2030. But what does it actually mean for you if you live in Greater Manchester? The answer is more nuanced than most websites suggest.
What Is the Warm Homes: Local Grant?
The Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH:LG) is the main delivery mechanism for homeowners. It provides grants to low-income households living in privately owned properties for energy performance measures and low-carbon heating — with the aim of cutting energy bills and carbon emissions.
Grants can cover up to £15,000 per household for measures including:
- Air source heat pumps
- Solar PV panels
- Cavity wall insulation
- Loft insulation
- External wall insulation
- Underfloor insulation
- Smart heating controls
Measures are offered in the order recommended by a Retrofit Assessment — you can't just pick what you want. The assessment identifies what will make the biggest impact on your home's energy performance.
How Greater Manchester Is Different
This is the crucial part most guides miss. Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is a devolved delivery partner for the Warm Homes: Local Grant. This means the scheme is administered locally through the ten GM borough councils rather than through a national application process.
What does this mean in practice?
- Applications go through your local council or the GMCA Retrofit Portal — not a national website.
- Assessment is done locally by trained retrofit assessors working with GMCA partners.
- Funding allocation may differ — GMCA has its own ring-fenced budget within the national scheme.
- Wait times and priorities may vary by borough. Some councils (e.g., Bolton, Oldham) have been faster at processing applications than others.
Who Is Eligible?
The Warm Homes: Local Grant is means-tested. To qualify in Greater Manchester, you typically need to meet these criteria:
- EPC rating of D, E, F, or G — your home must be energy-inefficient. If you have an EPC of C or above, you generally won't qualify (though exceptions exist for specific measures).
- Household income threshold — eligibility is linked to household income, though the exact threshold can vary. Households receiving means-tested benefits (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based JSA/ESA, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit) automatically qualify.
- Owner-occupied or private rented — social housing tenants are covered under separate schemes. If you rent privately, your landlord must consent to the works.
- Property in England — Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have separate schemes.
How to Apply in Greater Manchester
- Check your eligibility. The quickest route is the GMCA Retrofit Portal, which walks you through a series of questions about your home and income. You can also contact your borough council directly.
- Get a Retrofit Assessment. If you're eligible, a qualified assessor will visit your home to evaluate its energy performance and recommend measures. This is free.
- Receive your offer. Based on the assessment, you'll be told which measures are available and the grant value. You don't pay anything for eligible measures up to the grant cap.
- Installation. Approved installers carry out the work. All installers must meet PAS 2035 standards (the quality framework for retrofit).
What If I Don't Qualify?
If your income is too high or your EPC is already C or above, you won't qualify for the Warm Homes: Local Grant. But you may still be eligible for:
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme: £7,500 towards a heat pump — no income test required.
- Solar panels: No grant needed — 0% VAT and 6–8 year payback make this viable for most homeowners.
- Solar loans: Spread the cost with affordable financing options.
Lancashire Residents
If you live in Lancashire (not Greater Manchester), the Warm Homes: Local Grant is delivered through Lancashire County Council rather than GMCA. The eligibility criteria are broadly the same, but the application process and wait times may differ. Visit our eligibility guide for more details.
Key Takeaway
The Warm Homes: Local Grant is a genuinely valuable scheme for eligible homeowners — potentially saving you £10,000–£15,000 on energy upgrades. In Greater Manchester, the GMCA's devolved delivery means the process is more localised and (in some boroughs) faster than the national scheme. But it is means-tested, so it won't suit everyone.
Not sure whether you qualify for the Warm Homes grant, the BUS, or neither? Get in touch and we'll help you work out the best route for your home.
Not affiliated with the UK Government. Always verify official guidance on GOV.UK or GMCA.