Heating Grants Birmingham: Warm Homes and Heat Pumps

Birmingham works differently from most English councils. Because the West Midlands Combined Authority receives its Warm Homes money through a devolved settlement, the council can't join the national Warm Homes: Local Grant. It runs its own version, aimed at particular neighbourhoods.

Birmingham at a glance

How homes are heated: 74.2% of Birmingham households heat with mains gas only and 11.7% (49,507 homes) with electricity only. 0.6% use a communal or district heat network, and 2.4% (9,995 homes) have no central heating at all. Oil-only heating covers 292 homes. Source
Who rents: 23.5% of Birmingham households rent from a social landlord, 13.8% directly from the council. Another 22.6% rent privately. Source
Local grant: Birmingham City Council's Warm Homes Local Grant (2025 to 2028) covers only six Retrofit Priority Areas: Balsall Heath, Bromford, Castle Vale, Sparkbrook, Sparkhill, and Tyseley and Hay Mills. Next Energy is upgrading 625 private homes. Homes must be rated EPC D to G. Source
Why the national grant differs here: The West Midlands Combined Authority gets its Warm Homes money through a devolved integrated settlement, so Birmingham City Council cannot take part in the national Warm Homes: Local Grant scheme and runs its own version instead. Source
Energy ratings: About 53% of homes with an EPC in Birmingham are rated band D or below (median score 68, band D), against 47% across England. Based on certificates lodged in the 10 years to March 2025. Source

The council's Warm Homes Local Grant

It is open only in six Retrofit Priority Areas: Balsall Heath, Bromford, Castle Vale, Sparkbrook, Sparkhill, and Tyseley and Hay Mills. Next Energy is delivering upgrades to 625 private homes there.

The home must be rated EPC D to G and you must own it or have a tenancy. You also need one of these: a postcode in the two most deprived income deciles, a qualifying means-tested benefit, household income of £36,000 or less after housing costs, or eligibility under ECO4 Flex route 2.

Measures include wall, loft and cavity insulation, air source heat pumps, high heat retention storage heaters, heating controls and solar panels. Owners and tenants pay nothing. Landlords pay 30% for up to four homes and 50% beyond that, and can't raise the rent because of the work.

Boiler Upgrade Scheme

Anywhere in Birmingham, you can get £7,500 towards an air source heat pump from an MCS certified installer. There's no income test. Our Boiler Upgrade Scheme guide covers the rules.

ECO4

Ofgem's guidance says ECO4 runs until 31 December 2026, but many energy suppliers have used most of their funding. Check with the council before you rely on it.

Spotting scams

Genuine schemes never charge a fee to check eligibility. If someone at the door asks for money to secure a free boiler, refuse and report it to trading standards.

Birmingham homes and what they need

Victorian and Edwardian red brick terraces

Solid brick terraces in Sparkbrook and Balsall Heath often rate E or F, inside the scheme's range. Expect internal or external wall insulation to be offered first.

Tower blocks and city-centre apartments

Flats in Castle Vale and Bromford may qualify, but work on the outside of a block needs the freeholder or council's consent.

Areas covered

Engineers who cover Birmingham work across areas including Edgbaston, Moseley, Kings Heath, Harborne, Erdington, Selly Oak, Hall Green, Sutton Coldfield, Acocks Green and Handsworth.

View Birmingham on Google Maps

Questions people in Birmingham ask

I'm outside the priority areas. Can I still get help?

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is open to everyone. The council says more Warm Homes funding has been announced for 2028 to 2030, which may bring new priority areas.

How do I apply in a priority area?

The council takes applications through its Shared Works platform. Local groups help with forms: MECC Trust in Balsall Heath and Sparkbrook, Acocks Greener in Tyseley and Hay Mills, and Act on Energy in Castle Vale.

Sources

Also nearby: Heating grants in Coventry, Heating grants in Wolverhampton, Heating grants in Leicester, Heating grants in Derby

All heating grants locations →