Domestic Energy Efficiency Grants

Home Energy Scotland – HES

HES are funded by the Scottish Government who  recognise the benefits of making your home more efficient and lowering your energy bills. They offer grants and interest-free loans for a whole range of energy saving, bill-reducing, low-carbon technology from loft insulation to heat pumps.

Home Energy Scotland make it simple for residents in Scotland to access funding. You might be able to spread the cost of energy efficiency measures with an interest-free loan, or get a grant to cover much needed home energy efficiency improvements (or both).

Measures Funded Under HES

You can now apply for grant funding under Home Energy Scotland. 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. Assessment will be automatic and 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. Measures covered include:

  • 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). 

Additional laons are available for secondary measures too – such as heating controls, thermostats etc.

Grant funding for heat pumps and renewable systems 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.

  • 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 for funding, including being designed to provide 100% of heating requirements. Exemptions apply and 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.
  • 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).

Eligibility For A HES Grant

To be eligible for a Home Energy Scotland grant you must be a homeowner of a property in Scotland. If you are building your own home you may also still be eligible to apply.

You should start by using the Home Energy Check tool to find out how you can achieve lower energy bills and a more comfortable home. You’ll eceive a report with details of improvements that we recommend, based on the information you provide, following which you can start the application process.

How To  Apply For HES Funding

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. Contact Home Energy Scotland >

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.

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