The Welsh Government NEST scheme provides up to £15,000 for energy-efficiency improvements
In 2025, the average household in Wales spent £1,350 on heating per year, according to DESNZ’s 2025 Fuel Poverty Report for Wales (DESNZ, 2025). For many, this is a significant drain on already stretched budgets. NEST (Nest Wales) is a Welsh Government-funded scheme administered by the British Gas Energy Trust, offering free home energy improvements to eligible owner-occupiers and private tenants.
The NEST scheme Wales offers up to £15,000 in free home energy improvements including insulation and boiler replacement. Eligibility requires income under £20,000 or qualifying benefits. Compare your potential savings today.
- Maximum grant of £15,000 per household from the Welsh Government.
- Covers loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, boiler replacement, and draught-proofing.
- Typical annual heating bill savings of £200–£500 according to Energy Saving Trust.
- Eligible if household income is £20,000 or less or on means-tested benefits.
- No repayment required for labour and materials under the NEST scheme.
- The Welsh Government NEST scheme provides up to £15,000 for energy-efficiency improvements
- Quick numbers NEST scheme costs, savings, and eligibility caps
- Homeowners must meet income and property criteria to qualify for NEST
- The NEST scheme covers insulation, heating upgrades, and renewable energy measures
- The scheme works through a free home energy assessment and a certified installer network
- NEST is the direct answer for homeowners in Wales needing fully funded energy upgrades
- Installers must be MCS-certified for renewables and Gas Safe registered for gas work
- Homeowners can apply online, by phone, or through a local referral partner
The scheme covers measures such as loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, draught-proofing, boiler replacement, and heating controls, with a maximum grant of £15,000 per household (GOV.WALES, 2026). No repayment is required, and the grant covers both labour and materials in full.
Quick numbers NEST scheme costs, savings, and eligibility caps
| Item | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum grant per household | £15,000 | GOV.WALES (2026) |
| Typical annual saving on heating bills | £200–£500 | Energy Saving Trust (2026) |
| Average cost of a new gas boiler under NEST | £0 (fully funded) | NEST scheme guidelines |
| Number of households in Wales in fuel poverty | 45% (approx. 600,000) | DESNZ Fuel Poverty Report for Wales (2025) |
| Eligibility income threshold | £20,000 or less (household) | GOV.WALES |
Homeowners must meet income and property criteria to qualify for NEST
To be eligible, the household income must be £20,000 or less (after tax) for the primary applicant, or the household must receive specific means-tested benefits such as Pension Credit, Universal Credit, or Income Support (GOV.WALES, 2026). The property must be located in Wales, be owner-occupied or privately rented (with landlord consent), and have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E, F, or G. Private tenants must obtain written permission from their landlord before any work can proceed.
Households already receiving support through the UK-wide ECO4 scheme cannot double-claim for the same measures, though NEST can top up work not covered by ECO4. The scheme is designed for those with the poorest energy performance and lowest incomes, making it a targeted intervention rather than a universal grant.
The NEST scheme covers insulation, heating upgrades, and renewable energy measures
Eligible measures include loft insulation (up to 270mm), cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation (internal or external), boiler replacement (if the existing boiler is over 15 years old), and heating system controls such as smart thermostats and zone valves (Energy Saving Trust, 2026). Draught-proofing of doors and windows is also covered, as are room-in-roof insulation and underfloor insulation for suspended floors.
Renewable measures such as solar photovoltaic panels and air source heat pumps are included for homes with very poor EPC ratings (typically F or G) where fabric improvements alone cannot bring the property to an acceptable standard. The scheme prioritises a whole-house approach, meaning an assessor will recommend the package of measures that delivers the greatest energy saving for that specific property.
The scheme works through a free home energy assessment and a certified installer network
The process starts with a free home energy assessment by a NEST-accredited assessor, arranged via the NEST helpline or website. The assessor inspects the property, measures existing insulation levels, checks the heating system, and identifies eligible measures based on the home’s construction type and condition (GOV.WALES, 2026).
Once the assessment is complete and approved, the work is carried out by NEST-registered contractors. For renewable technologies, installers must be MCS-certified; for gas appliances, they must be Gas Safe registered. The homeowner does not choose the installer, but the scheme guarantees that all contractors meet Welsh Government quality standards and are monitored via the TrustMark scheme.
NEST is the direct answer for homeowners in Wales needing fully funded energy upgrades
The NEST scheme is the primary Welsh Government grant for low-income households, funding up to £15,000 of work at no cost to the homeowner. It is distinct from the UK-wide ECO4 scheme, which targets larger energy companies and is administered through energy suppliers, and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which covers heat pumps only and requires a homeowner contribution.
Homeowners do not need to repay the grant, and it covers both labour and materials. There is no upper limit on the number of measures per household, provided the total cost does not exceed £15,000. For households with an EPC rating of E, F, or G, the scheme can make a meaningful difference to heating costs, with typical annual savings of £200–£500 on energy bills.
Compare NEST with the ECO4 scheme for Wales homeowners
Installers must be MCS-certified for renewables and Gas Safe registered for gas work
For renewable measures such as heat pumps and solar PV, the installer must be registered with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and listed on the NEST approved contractor list (MCS, 2026). For gas boiler replacements, the installer must be Gas Safe registered and hold a current Gas Safe Register ID (Gas Safe Register, 2026).
These certifications are not optional. If an installer cannot provide proof of MCS or Gas Safe registration, they are not permitted to work under the NEST scheme. Homeowners can verify an installer’s credentials via the MCS online directory or the Gas Safe Register website before any work begins. The scheme also requires all contractors to be TrustMark registered, providing an additional layer of consumer protection.
Homeowners can apply online, by phone, or through a local referral partner
Application is via the NEST website (gov.wales/nest), by calling 0800 072 0567, or through a referral from a local authority, health board, or Citizens Advice (GOV.WALES, 2026). The scheme is fully funded, so no upfront payment is required from the homeowner. The application process typically takes 4–6 weeks from initial contact to installation, depending on the complexity of the measures and installer availability.
Once approved, the homeowner does not need to manage contractors or chase paperwork. The NEST team coordinates the assessment, approval, and installation. For tenants, landlord consent must be provided in writing before the assessment can proceed. There is no deadline for completing the work once approved, though the scheme aims to complete installations within 12 weeks of approval.
How to apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme in Wales
Frequently Asked Questions
The NEST scheme is a Welsh Government-funded programme offering free home energy improvements worth up to £15,000 per household. Administered by the British Gas Energy Trust, it covers measures like insulation and boiler replacement. (Source: GOV.WALES)
You can receive up to £15,000 in fully funded energy-efficiency improvements, including labour and materials. This is set by the Welsh Government and confirmed by GOV.WALES.
You qualify if your household income is £20,000 or less or you receive means-tested benefits like Pension Credit. Your property must be in Wales with an EPC rating of E, F, or G. (Source: GOV.WALES)
Yes, the NEST scheme fully funds boiler replacement as part of its home energy improvements. The average cost of a new gas boiler under NEST is £0.
You cannot double-claim for the same measures under both NEST and ECO4 schemes. However, NEST can top up work not covered by ECO4.
