The NI Affordable Warmth Scheme provides up to £7,600 in home energy improvements for eligible low-income households in Northern Ireland
If you are a low-income homeowner in Northern Ireland struggling with high heating costs, the NI Affordable Warmth Scheme may help pay for insulation and heating upgrades. The scheme is funded by the Northern Ireland Executive and delivered by the Housing Executive (NIHE) and local councils. It covers insulation, heating upgrades, and draught-proofing for owner-occupiers in private housing. Total grant value depends on property survey results, not household income alone (NI Direct, 2026).
The NI Affordable Warmth Scheme offers up to £7,600 for energy upgrades like insulation and boiler replacement for low-income NI homeowners. The exact grant is determined by a home energy survey, not your income alone.
- Maximum grant per household is £7,600 for eligible NI homeowners.
- Covers attic insulation capped at £1,200 and boiler replacement up to £3,500.
- Does not cover double glazing, solar panels, or heat pumps.
- Eligibility requires owner-occupier status and low-income criteria.
- Measures are determined by a home energy survey, not your choice.
- The NI Affordable Warmth Scheme provides up to £7,600 in home energy improvements for eligible low-income households in Northern Ireland
- What the scheme actually covers and what it does not cover
- How to check if you qualify for the scheme in 2026
- Quick numbers what the scheme delivers in energy savings and costs
- The direct answer the NI Affordable Warmth Scheme pays for insulation and heating upgrades, not structural repairs or renewables
- How to apply step-by-step process for 2026
- How to verify an approved installer under the scheme
The direct answer is this: the NI Affordable Warmth Scheme pays for energy efficiency measures such as attic insulation, boiler replacement, and draught-proofing, but it does not cover double glazing, solar panels, or heat pumps. The maximum grant per household is £7,600, but the exact amount you receive is determined by a home energy survey (NI Housing Executive, 2026).
What the scheme actually covers and what it does not cover
The scheme funds a specific set of energy efficiency improvements. Eligible works include attic insulation, cavity wall insulation, boiler replacement (up to A-rated), heating controls, draught-proofing, and energy-efficient lighting. Each measure has a capped grant amount. For example, boiler replacement is capped at up to £3,500, while attic insulation is capped at around £1,200 (NI Direct, 2026).
The scheme does not cover double glazing, solar panels, heat pumps, or extensions. It also does not fund structural repairs such as roof repairs or new windows. The maximum grant per household is £7,600, but you cannot choose which measures you receive. The measures are determined by a qualified surveyor based on your home’s energy performance.
How to check if you qualify for the scheme in 2026
To qualify, you must own and live in your home. You must be a private owner-occupier, not renting or living in housing association property. You must also be in receipt of at least one qualifying benefit. These benefits include Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit, Universal Credit (with earned income below a set threshold), or Child Tax Credit (with income under £16,190) (NI Direct, 2026).
In addition, your property must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E, F, or G. Alternatively, it can be assessed as having a Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) rating below 55. The SAP rating is a standard measure of a home’s energy efficiency. If you are unsure of your EPC rating, you can check it on the NI EPC register.
Quick numbers what the scheme delivers in energy savings and costs
The table below shows typical grant amounts and annual savings for the main measures under the scheme. Savings are based on a typical Northern Ireland home and will vary depending on your property size and current heating system (Energy Saving Trust, 2026).
| Measure | Average grant amount | Typical annual saving |
|---|---|---|
| Attic insulation | £1,200 | £200–£300 per year |
| Cavity wall insulation | £1,500 | £140–£250 per year |
| Boiler replacement (A-rated) | £3,500 | £200–£350 per year |
| Heating controls upgrade | £400 | £75–£120 per year |
| Draught-proofing | £200 | £25–£50 per year |
The payback period for each measure depends on your current energy use and fuel costs. For example, attic insulation typically pays for itself within 4 to 6 years, while boiler replacement can take 10 to 15 years. These figures are estimates and should be treated as a guide only.
The direct answer the NI Affordable Warmth Scheme pays for insulation and heating upgrades, not structural repairs or renewables
The scheme is strictly for energy efficiency measures that reduce heating costs for low-income households. It does not fund windows, doors, solar panels, heat pumps, or roof repairs. The maximum grant is £7,600, and you cannot choose measures — they are determined by a home energy survey (NI Direct, 2026).
If your home needs structural repairs such as a new roof or damp-proofing, you will need to address those separately. The scheme only pays for measures that improve the energy performance of your home, not for general maintenance or renovation work.
How to apply step-by-step process for 2026
The application process involves five main steps:
- Contact your local council’s Affordable Warmth team or the NI Housing Executive (NIHE) to request an application pack. You can find your local council’s contact details on the NI Direct website (NI Direct, 2026).
- Complete the application form with proof of qualifying benefit, proof of home ownership, and your National Insurance number. You may also need to provide your EPC rating if you have one.
- A qualified surveyor visits your home to assess energy efficiency and recommend measures. The surveyor will check your insulation levels, heating system, and overall energy performance.
- The council or NIHE arranges approved contractors to install the recommended measures. You do not need to find or hire contractors yourself.
- Installation is completed, and the council pays the contractor directly. You do not handle the grant money.
The entire process typically takes several weeks from application to installation, depending on contractor availability and the complexity of the work.
How to verify an approved installer under the scheme
All work under the scheme must be carried out by contractors registered with the NI Housing Executive’s Approved Contractor List or a local council’s approved list. For gas boiler installations, the contractor must be registered with the Gas Safe Register (Gas Safe Register, 2026). For insulation work, the contractor should be part of the National Insulation Association (NIA) or have relevant certification.
You can check a contractor’s NIHE approval by contacting the NIHE Energy Advice Line on 0800 111 4455. The council will also confirm the contractor’s approval before any work begins. You should never accept work from a contractor who is not on the approved list, as the scheme will not pay for it.
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other NI energy grants for homeowners 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
The scheme covers attic insulation, cavity wall insulation, boiler replacement (A-rated), heating controls, draught-proofing, and energy-efficient lighting, per NI Direct 2026. It does not cover double glazing or solar panels.
The maximum grant is £7,600 per household, as confirmed by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive 2026. The exact amount depends on a survey of your home's energy performance.
You must be a private owner-occupier in Northern Ireland, not renting or in housing association property. Low-income eligibility is assessed by the Housing Executive, per NI Direct 2026.
No, the scheme does not cover double glazing, solar panels, heat pumps, or extensions. It focuses on insulation, heating, and draught-proofing only, per the Northern Ireland Executive 2026.
Apply through your local council or the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE). A home energy survey will determine which measures you receive, as outlined by NI Direct 2026.
