What the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan covers and how to apply
The amount of grant and loan funding you can apply for depends on what improvements you want to make.
We’ve answered some of the more common questions below, and there are links to important information that you should read before applying. You can also use our handy funding calculator to help you find out how much you could get.
You’ll find more information on our application form but, if you have any questions, contact us.
Grant funding now available
You can now apply for grant funding without taking out a loan. A rural uplift is also available to provide extra support to rural and island homes which can face increased costs to install home improvements. The rural uplift is available to households in Remote Rural and Island areas, as well as off-gas Accessible Rural areas, as defined by the Urban Rural Classification. Our advisors can tell you whether your property is eligible for this uplift and our application form will assess this based on your postcode.
Grant funding for energy efficiency improvements is up to 75% of the combined cost of the improvements, up to the maximum grant amount of £7,500, or £9,000 for households which qualify for the rural uplift.
Grant funding for heat pumps is up to £7,500, or £9,000 for households which qualify for the rural uplift. The remainder of funding requested can be taken up as an optional interest-free loan.
Who can apply?
Are you a homeowner? Great news - if you live in the home you own, then you can apply. Visit our contact us webpage to find out how to get in touch.
Building your own home? You can use the grant and loan for home renewables systems or energy storage systems; other improvements aren't available if it's a self-build.
Landlord, business or a property developer? Sorry - you can’t apply. But we do offer a range of other funding opportunities like the Scottish Government's Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan.
Still not sure if you can apply? Visit our contact us webpage for details of how to get in touch and our advisors will help.
Remember, the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan is only available for properties in Scotland.
What you need to do
You must contact Home Energy Scotland personally to get impartial advice about your home, which will help decide the best options for you. Third parties - for example, installers or letting agents - are not allowed to apply for you.
Once you've spoken to an advisor and you're ready to proceed, they'll send you a personalised link to complete an online application form. You can only apply for funding using the application form provided to you by Home Energy Scotland.
How much can you get?
Use our funding calculator to find out how much you could get. Otherwise, read on to find out the maximum amounts available.
How much can you get as a grant?
Grant funding for energy efficiency improvements is up to 75% of the combined cost of the improvements, up to the maximum grant amount of £7,500, or £9,000 if the household qualifies for the rural uplift.
Grant funding for new heat pumps is up to £7,500, or £9,000 if the household qualifies for the rural uplift. The remainder of funding requested can be taken up as an optional interest-free loan.
A grant of £2,500 is available for high heat retention storage heaters, if taken as part of a package of measures.
How much can you borrow as a loan?
What you can borrow depends on what improvement or installation you want. They’re grouped into two types - energy efficiency improvements (and secondary improvements) and renewables systems:
There are conditions attached to these amounts – read Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan - in detail to find out more.
Maximum grant amount and optional loan available for each energy efficiency improvement:
- solid wall insulation: up to £10,000 (£7,500 grant plus £2,500 optional loan)
- electric heating: up to £5,500 loan (£2,500 grant available for high heat retention storage heaters when installed as part of a package of measures)
- glazing: up to £8,000 (no grant available)
- insulated doors: up to £4,500 (no grant available)
- flat roof or room-in-roof insulation: up to £4,000 (£3,000 grant plus £1,000 optional loan)
- loft, floor or cavity wall insulation: up to £2,000 (£1,500 grant plus £500 optional loan).
Funds will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Funding is reserved for homeowners when they receive a written loan offer, not on application to the scheme.
You can also borrow up to £500 per improvement (including up to £375 grant) for what are known as secondary improvements and up to £600 (including up to £450 grant) for heating controls. They're not available on their own - you need to combine them with one of the energy efficient improvements or renewables systems listed above. Examples include cylinder thermostats, or hot water jackets. Talk to our advisors to find out more.
This includes zero and low emission heating, electricity generation, energy storage systems and district heating scheme connections. Read Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan - in detail to find out more.
Maximum funding amount:
- heat pumps (either air source to water, ground source to water, water source to water): £15,000 (£7,500 grant plus £7,500 optional loan, or £9,000 grant plus £7,500 optional loan if the household qualifies for the rural uplift).
- hybrid heat pumps (air to water): £15,000 (£7,500 grant plus £7,500 optional loan, or £9,000 grant plus £7,500 optional loan if the household qualifies for the rural uplift). Funding is only available for the heat pump component of the system which must meet MCS standards to qualify. Only heat pumps that provide 100% of heating requirements are normally eligible for MCS certification. The only exception to this is where there is a technical reason why 100% of heating requirements cannot be met by a heat pump alone. You should speak to your installer before making any decisions and obtain a guarantee in writing that the hybrid heat pump will meet MCS certification. The heat pump component must be whole house, this means it must provide both heating and hot water. Therefore, there must be evidence of a hot water tank or thermal store either at the property or one being installed alongside the heat pump.
- solar photovoltaic (PV) panels: £6,000 (£1,250 grant plus £4,750 optional loan). Funding only available for this measure if taken as a package of measures.
- solar water heating systems: £5,000 (loan only, no grant available)
- hybrid solar PV/ water heating systems: £5,000 (loan only, no grant available)
- energy storage systems (heat or electric batteries): £6,000 (£1,250 grant plus £4,750 optional loan). Funding only available for either a heat or electric battery and if taken as a package of measures.
- wind or hydro turbines: £2,500 (loan only, no grant available)
- biomass boilers or stoves (non-automated, non-pellet stoves or room heaters are not eligible): £15,000 (£7,500 grant potentially available upon evidence that a heat pump is unsuitable for the property (£9,000 if the household qualifies for the rural uplift))
- connections to a renewably powered heat network scheme: £7,500 (loan only, no grant available).
For more details on items only available as a package of measures, please check the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan – in detail page.
Important information about the grant and loan
The grant and loan values stated above are subject to availability while funds last or until the end of the financial year – whichever is sooner. Funds will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Funding is reserved for householders when they receive a written loan offer, not on application to the scheme.
Loans are administered by Energy Saving Trust. Loans are subject to an administrative fee of 1.5%, up to a maximum of £150. Work must not commence before a loan offer has been made. For certain improvements, you will need to use a certified installer.
Energy Saving Trust is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. All loans are subject to availability and terms and conditions apply.
Funding in detail
Find out about repayment periods and other important conditions of the grant and loan.
Choosing the right installer
Find out about the specific requirements installers need to have, as well as certain things you must do before applying.