Heating Grants Stoke-on-Trent: Warm Homes and BUS

Stoke-on-Trent City Council takes part in the national Warm Homes: Local Grant through the Midlands Net Zero Hub, and the scheme runs until March 2028. Demand has been high. The council has already used its funding for 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 and can't progress new applications for now.

Stoke-on-Trent at a glance

How homes are heated: 81.7% of Stoke-on-Trent households heat with mains gas only and 6.1% with electricity only. 479 homes use bottled or tank gas, 236 solid fuel and 99 oil. Only 1.3% have no central heating. Source
Who rents: 22.3% of households rent from a social landlord, 15.3% directly from the council, and 20.3% rent privately. Source
Local grant: Stoke-on-Trent City Council runs the Warm Homes: Local Grant with the Midlands Net Zero Hub until March 2028. It has used its funding for 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 and can't progress new applications for now, but residents can register interest through Community Home Solutions. Source
Energy ratings: About 55% of homes with an EPC in Stoke-on-Trent 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

Warm Homes: Local Grant

To qualify, your home must be rated EPC D to G, and you must own it or rent from a private landlord. Council and housing association tenants are not eligible. Household income must be £36,000 or less before tax, or someone in the home must get a qualifying means-tested benefit. Private tenants also need their landlord's agreement.

Measures include insulation and ventilation, low carbon heating such as an air source heat pump, and solar panels. Community Home Solutions handles applications, and you can register interest online or on 0115 718 1822.

The council says the grant is open for three years, so it is worth keeping an eye on its page for when year three funding starts in April 2027.

Boiler Upgrade Scheme

Open across the city with no income test: £7,500 towards an air source heat pump from an MCS certified installer. Off-gas homes on oil or LPG get £9,000 until March 2027. See our Boiler Upgrade Scheme guide.

ECO4

Ofgem's guidance says ECO4 ends on 31 December 2026, and supplier funding is limited. Check with the supplier or an advice service before relying on it.

Scams

Genuine schemes don't charge to check eligibility. Refuse anyone who asks for an upfront fee for a free boiler and report them to trading standards.

Stoke-on-Trent homes and what they need

Victorian and Edwardian terraces across the six towns

Solid-walled terraces often rate EPC E or F, which puts them in the grant's range once funding reopens.

Interwar and postwar semis

Semis with gardens are strong heat pump candidates under the national scheme.

Areas covered

Engineers who cover Stoke-on-Trent work across areas including Hanley, Burslem, Tunstall, Stoke, Fenton, Longton, Trentham, Meir, Bucknall and Newcastle-under-Lyme.

View Stoke-on-Trent on Google Maps

Questions people in Stoke-on-Trent ask

Is it worth registering interest now?

Yes. The council says you can register for when funding becomes available, and having your EPC and income evidence ready will help.

I rent from the council. What can I do?

The local grant excludes council and housing association homes. Ask your landlord about any planned improvement work for your street or estate.

What if I'm on mains gas?

The local grant is open to homes on any fuel, provided the EPC rating and income rules are met. The national heat pump grant also applies to gas-heated homes.

Sources

Also nearby: Heating grants in Derby, Heating grants in Wolverhampton, Heating grants in Manchester

All heating grants locations →