Are you a private homeowner looking to install solar panels in Scotland but think it’s too expensive? You could qualify for the Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant & Loan Scheme that makes solar and other renewable energy installations more affordable than you think!
What is the Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant & Loan Scheme?
Funded by the Scottish Government, the scheme helps homeowners to improve energy efficiency and install renewable heating systems at a much lower cost. In some cases, these installations are even free!
Households could qualify for either a grant or a loan. However, some may be eligible to receive both, meaning each type of funding can be used in combination with each other.
As part of Scotland’s plan to reduce carbon emissions in homes, these grants and interest-free loans will also help the UK’s wider strategy of meeting Net Zero targets.
Is the funding available in remote areas?
If you live in a remote rural or island area, it can be especially hard to heat your home. It can also make much-needed energy efficiency upgrades more expensive to carry out.
For this reason, a rural uplift is offered to help those who need extra financial support. This funding is also available to off gas accessible rural areas.
What Can You Get with the Home Energy Scotland Grant & Loan Scheme?
The scheme provides access to a number of energy-efficient measures and funding methods that include:
| Measure Type | Grant | Loan (interest-free) |
| Air/ground/water/hybrid heat pumps | £7,500 (plus £1,500 rural uplift) | Up to £7,500 |
| Insulation & energy efficiency | Up to £7,500 | Remaining cost as loan |
| Energy/storage batteries | £1,250 grant; £4,750 loan | — |
| Biomass boilers/stoves | £7,500 (plus £1,500 rural uplift) | Up to £7,500 |
| Heat network connection | — | Loan available |
Total grant funding can reach £9,000 for ground or air source heat pumps or biomass boilers with the rural uplift, and £15,000+ in combined support
Why Does the Home Energy Scotland Scheme Matter?
The Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan Scheme is important for a variety of financial, social and environmental reasons:
- Lower bills & carbon footprint: Upgrading from fossil fuel boilers to air or ground source heat pumps means you’ll make substantial savings on your energy bills and carbon emissions.
- Rural support: Homes in remote and island communities receive extra funding; this helps tackle social and energy inequality
- Combined improvements: Several essential energy efficiency measures can be funded at the same time. This means that a whole house can be successfully upgraded.
Who Can Apply for the Scheme?
To apply for the scheme, there are a few conditions you must meet:
- You must be a homeowner: The scheme is available to private homeowners and private landlords. However, the conditions may vary between the two.
- It must be your primary residence: Your home must be your main residence, not a second or holiday home.
- EPC and energy report: You will need an Energy Performance Certificate or a report that recommends energy efficiency measures. If it advises loft or wall insulation, this must be installed before all other heating upgrades.
- Installer accreditation: All renewable heating systems must be installed by MCS-certified professionals.
Energy Advice Helpline – Helping you access the heating support you need!
If you live in Scotland, the HES Grant & Loan Scheme helps you improve your home’s heating and energy efficiency. The interest-free funding also provides extra help for people in rural areas, ensuring even those in hard-to-reach places get the support they need.
Through this scheme, Scottish homeowners are empowered to improve the comfort and value of their homes, cut energy bills and reduce carbon footprints.
But did you know there are other energy efficiency schemes and funding available in all parts of the UK?
At Energy Advice Helpline, we help people all across the United Kingdom to save money and find heating and energy support. This includes Government schemes such as ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme, which offer free energy efficiency upgrades to home owners in England, Scotland and Wales.
To see if you qualify for free solar, heat pumps and insulation, click the link below!
