Home energy upgrades
Every upgrade, explained — and who installs it
Whether you're switching from a gas boiler to a heat pump, adding solar panels, or improving insulation, this guide covers the key home-energy works available to UK homeowners — with accurate costs, available grants, and direct links to certified local installers.
Available home-energy works
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BUS grant
Air Source Heat Pump
A low-carbon heating system that extracts heat from outdoor air to warm your home and water — eligible for the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant.
Typically £7,000–£13,000 installed before grants
Learn more -
BUS grant
Ground Source Heat Pump
Extracts stable heat stored in the ground via buried pipes — highly efficient, very low running noise, and eligible for the £7,500 BUS grant.
Typically £15,000–£30,000 installed before grants (ground loop work included)
Learn more -
Solar PV
Solar photovoltaic panels generate free electricity from daylight — reduce your bills, earn export payments via the Smart Export Guarantee, and qualify for 0% VAT.
Typically £5,000–£9,000 for a 3–5 kWp domestic system
Learn more -
Battery Storage
Store surplus solar generation or cheap off-peak electricity to use in the evening — maximise self-consumption and reduce your grid bills.
Typically £2,500–£6,000 depending on capacity (kWh) and brand
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Solar Thermal
Solar thermal panels use sunlight to heat your hot water — cutting the energy your boiler or heat pump needs to raise water temperature year-round.
Typically £3,000–£6,000 installed (flat-plate or evacuated tube)
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BUS grant
Biomass Boiler
Wood-pellet or wood-chip boilers provide carbon-neutral heating and hot water — and qualify for a £5,000 BUS grant in rural properties in England and Wales.
Typically £10,000–£20,000 installed (pellet systems; log or chip systems vary)
Learn more -
Home Insulation
Loft, cavity wall, and solid wall insulation reduce heat loss — lowering energy bills, improving comfort, and in many cases fully funded via ECO4 or GBIS for eligible households.
Loft insulation: typically £300–£700.
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Free project assessment
Not sure which upgrade is right for your home?
Every property is different. An MCS-certified assessor will survey your home, review your energy bills, and recommend the most cost-effective combination of measures — including which grants you can access. Normally worth £380, this assessment is free when booked through Renovation Register.
- Independent advice — no obligation to proceed
- Full survey of your property's heat loss and insulation
- Grant eligibility check (BUS, ECO4, GBIS, and more)
- Introductions to vetted, MCS-certified local installers
£380
value — yours free
No commitment, no upsell — just expert advice.
UK government funding
Grants could cover a large chunk of the cost
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers £7,500 toward a heat pump. ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme can fully fund insulation for eligible households. The Smart Export Guarantee pays you for solar electricity you export to the grid. Most of the works listed above qualify for at least one scheme.
