Warm Homes: Local Grant Scheme
Slough Borough Council has secured £1.5 million in government funding from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).
The funding is available until 31 March 2028. As funding is limited, the Council will prioritise homes where support will help address health inequalities and benefit the most vulnerable households in Slough.
About the scheme
The Warm Homes: Local Grant (WHLG) is a government scheme that funds energy efficiency improvements for residents most affected by high energy costs.
You may be eligible if:
- your home was cold last winter
- you or someone in your household has a health condition affected by cold
- you struggled to pay your energy bills.
The scheme supports low-income households to improve energy efficiency and install clean heating systems. It focuses on homes with the poorest energy performance (EPC ratings D to G) across England.
What the scheme aims to do
The scheme aims to:
- improve home insulation
- reduce cold homes and support health and wellbeing
- reduce fuel poverty
- help the UK meet its 2050 Net Zero target
- support the government’s wider green retrofit programme.
Grant Eligibility
The WHLG scheme is available only to those residents who are private homeowners or residents renting from a private landlord.
The property must have an EPC rating between D and G and must qualify under one of the 3 eligibility pathways below:
- live in an IMD area (Income deciles 1 and 2) or
- are in receipt of means tested benefit or
- have a combined household annual gross income of £36,000 or less.
If you do not know your EPC rating our Delivery Partner can help you check. You can also look up your EPC rating online here.
What the grant covers
The grant covers the installation of retrofit measures to improve energy efficiency, implement low carbon heating, renewable energy and energy saving technology.
The Council must meet cost caps across the whole delivery and therefore limit the cost amount necessary for each property.
The scheme helps to:
- install energy saving technology and upgrades by approved installers
- reduce carbon emissions
- reduce the number of households living in fuel poverty
- create warmer, healthier homes that will improve health outcomes.
The grant covers the cost of recommended improvements based on your EPC rating and your household needs.
Please note: payments go directly to the Delivery Partner. You will not receive the money directly.
Landlords, private rented home and empty properties
The scheme is open to homeowners and private tenants who meet both of these criteria:
Household income or benefits
- Combined annual income under £36,000 or
- Receiving certain income-related benefits such as Universal Credit, or
- Living in an area with high deprivation (based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD)).We can check this using your postcode.
Hard to heat homes
- Your home must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D to G.
- We can help with the assessment and provide a free EPC if you do not already have one.
Private rented homes:
If you are privately renting you must get permission from your landlord. The grant covers one property per landlord in full. Additional properties require the landlord to contribute 50% of the costs.
Empty properties:
Empty properties cannot apply, grants are awarded based on the eligibility of the tenant living in the property.
Will the work be disruptive?
Some noise or disruption may occur, especially for indoor installation like heating systems, however:
- installers will aim to keep disruption to a minimum
- you may need to move furniture before work begins
- installers will keep your home clean and tidy.
What energy saving improvements can I receive for my home?
Energy and cost-saving upgrades that you may be eligible for can include (but is not limited to):
Insulation and fabric improvements
- Wall insulation (cavity, internal or external)
- Loft insulation
- Underfloor insulation
- Draught-proofing
- Roof insulation types (flat, room-in-roof, etc.)
Low-carbon heating systems
- Air source heat pumps (subject to suitability)
- Other heat pump systems (e.g., ground source or hybrid) where appropriate
Energy efficiency upgrades
- Heating controls and smart controls
- Double or triple glazing and energy-efficient doors (this will be only offered in exceptional circumstances and where all other key measures are installed).
Renewables
- Solar PhotoVoltaic
- Solar Thermal
Note: All improvements depend on your home and grant limits.
How is the scheme delivered
Slough Borough Council runs the scheme and appoints a Delivery Partner. Together, they manage, applications, assessments, installation of measures and quality checks.
All installers are trained and accredited and the Council carries out spot checks. Residents can report concerns about work quality
You will also have a dedicated contact if you need support.
How long will the work take?
Timescales depend on the type of improvements and your Delivery Partner will provide a schedule. All work must be completed by 31 March 2028.
Please note: The scheme is not for urgent repairs. It can take several months to complete the process.