Make your home energy efficient
Below you can find information about grants and support to help improve the energy efficiency of your home.
Bolton Council supports a range of schemes designed to reduce energy bills for residents and lower carbon emissions. Most schemes are available to people who own their own home or rent from a private landlord.
If you live in social rented housing, please contact your Housing Association directly for information about home improvements.
Energy efficiency schemes can change over time. The programmes listed below are fully endorsed by Bolton Council and delivered through approved partners. We also work closely with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and deliver local support through our Care and Repair service, who can offer advice if you have any concerns about your home.
Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH:LG)
The Warm Homes: Local Grant is a government-funded scheme delivered by Local Authorities. The scheme provides grants to low-income households living in privately owned or privately rented homes. The aim is to reduce energy bills and cut carbon emissions by installing energy-saving and low-carbon heating measures.
Property eligibility
Your home may qualify if it meets one of the following:
- Owner occupied properties with an EPC rating of Band D, E, F, or G.
- Privately rented properties with an EPC rating of Band D or E.
- Privately rented properties with an EPC rating of Band F or G which have a registered exemption under the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015.
Important:
Measures will be offered in the order recommended by the Retrofit Assessment to improve the property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating to Band C.
Gas and oil boilers are not eligible measures under this scheme.
How to apply
There are two application routes for WH:LG:
Route 1: WH:LG Area Based Scheme
Certain areas in Bolton have been selected, based on their inclusion in Income Deciles 1 or 2 of the Indices of Multiple Deprivation 2025 and high numbers of homes with an EPC rating of Band D, E, F, or G.
Residents in these areas will be contacted directly by GMCA officers to apply. Email: localgrant@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk .You are unable to make an application through this route, unless contacted by GMCA.
For more information on WH:LG Area Based Scheme, please visit: Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH:LG) - Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Route 2: WH:LG Privately rented scheme
This route is for private landlords who are members of the Greater Manchester Good Landlord Charter.
Household eligibility
Private tenants may qualify through one of the following pathways:
Pathway 1: IMD:ID Eligible Postcodes
The household lives in an eligible postcode that falls within Income Deciles 1 or 2 of the Indices of Multiple Deprivation 2025. These postcodes are listed in Warm Homes: Local Grant - eligible postcodes (updated February 2026).
Pathway 2a: Means-tested Benefits
The household is in receipt of one of the following means-tested benefits:
- Housing Benefit (HB)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support (IS)
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit (PCGC)
- Pension Credit Savings Credit (PCSC)
- Universal Credit (UC)
Pathway 2b: Route 2 of ECO4 Flex (for properties with an EPC rating of Band E, F, or G only)
The household meets the current criteria for Route 2 of ECO4 Flex listed on page 2 of the GMCA ECO4 and GBIS Flexible Eligibility Statement of Intent v5 except that the Lower-layer Super Output Area 1-3 to be used for Proxy 1 are from the latest Indices of Multiple Deprivation 2025.
Pathway 3: Household Income Threshold
The household’s gross annual income is below £36,000.
Private landlords and tenants can apply through this route via GMCA Retrofit Portal (external website)
For more information on WH:LG Privately Rented Scheme please visit: Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH:LG) Privately Rented Scheme - Greater Manchester Combined Authority
ECO4 and GBIS schemes ended
- The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) ended on 31 March 2026
- The Energy Company Obligation Scheme (ECO4) ends on 31 December 2026.
- GMCA’s approved installers (0800 Repair, Improveasy, and Next Energy) no longer have funding for any new applications.
Local support in Bolton
There are a range of local initiatives available for residents who are struggling to heat their home or make improvements.
These can change from time to time. To see what is available now, please contact the Bolton Care and Repair Team.