Local Authority Grants for Energy Upgrades in Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester’s ten local authorities collectively manage some of the most generous local energy upgrade funding in the North West, with grants and schemes worth up to £16,600 for energy efficiency plus £16,600 for low-carbon heating per household, available through a mix of national programmes, combined authority funding and borough-specific initiatives. Whether you need insulation, a new boiler, solar panels or help with energy bills, your local council is often the best starting point – but the available support varies significantly between boroughs.

What Energy Grants Are Available from Greater Manchester Councils?

Greater Manchester’s ten local authorities deliver energy upgrade grants primarily through the Warm Homes: Local Grant and ECO4 LA Flex programmes. Eligible homeowners can receive fully funded insulation, first-time central heating, air source heat pumps and ventilation improvements. Funding is accessed through your local council or their appointed retrofit coordinator, and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) coordinates delivery across all ten boroughs through its Retrofit Taskforce.

• Warm Homes: Local Grant — up to £16,600 for energy efficiency (such as insulation) plus £16,600 for low-carbon heating (income and EPC criteria apply)
• ECO4 LA Flex — fully funded measures for households referred by local councils based on low income or health vulnerability
• Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (now the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund) — free upgrades for council and housing association tenants
• Greater Manchester Green Homes Grant top-up — now closed (it was additional local funding in some boroughs)

Contact your borough council’s housing or environment team directly or visit the GMCA Retrofit Taskforce website to start your application. Each borough — including Manchester, Salford, Bolton, Oldham and Stockport — operates its own referral pathway, so eligibility criteria and waiting times vary. A free home survey is typically arranged within four to six weeks of your initial enquiry.

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) coordinates energy strategy across all ten boroughs, and several schemes operate at the combined authority level. But individual councils like Manchester, Salford, Bolton, Wigan, Stockport, Tameside, Oldham, Rochdale, Bury and Trafford each run their own programmes too. Here is a comprehensive guide to what is available across the region.

GMCA Retrofitting Programme

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority runs a region-wide home retrofitting programme funded by a combination of government grants and local investment. The programme targets homes with EPC ratings of D or below and offers:

• Cavity wall insulation
• Loft insulation
• Solid wall insulation (internal and external)
• Heating system upgrades
• Solar panel installations (in some cases)
• Window and door upgrades

Eligibility is typically based on household income, benefits received and property EPC rating. The GMCA programme is delivered through qualified contractors and can cover the full cost of improvements for eligible households, or provide a significant contribution towards costs for those who do not qualify for full funding.

To access this programme, contact your local council’s energy or housing team, or call the Greater Manchester Green Homes helpline. They will assess your eligibility and connect you with the right scheme.

Borough-by-Borough Guide

Here is a summary of the key energy-related support available in each Greater Manchester borough as of early 2024. Specific programmes change over time, so always check directly with your council for the most current information.

Manchester City Council: Runs one of the most comprehensive programmes in the region. Their Warm Homes Manchester service provides free energy guidance, referrals to insulation and heating schemes, and emergency support for residents in energy crisis. They have also piloted whole-house retrofit schemes in areas like Miles Platting and Ancoats. Contact: Warm Homes Manchester helpline.

Salford City Council: Active ECO4 Flex referrals for residents who do not qualify for benefits-based ECO4 funding. Their housing team can also signpost to local grants for private landlords looking to improve rented properties. The council has been investing in social housing retrofits across Pendleton and Broughton.

Bolton Council: Runs the Bolton Warm Homes programme, offering free home energy assessments and referrals to funded insulation schemes. They have been particularly active in delivering solid wall insulation to pre-1920 terraces in the town centre and surrounding areas like Farnworth and Great Lever.

Wigan Council: Their Deal for Affordable Warmth programme provides support for fuel-poor households, including emergency heating repairs, energy debt support and insulation referrals. Wigan has also trialled innovative approaches to terraced house insulation in Leigh and Hindley.

Stockport Council: Offers energy guidance through their Stockport Homes service and has been involved in several previous Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery (LAD) rounds. The council provides ECO4 Flex referrals and has been trialling heat pump installations in social housing in Reddish and Brinnington.

Tameside Council: Their energy team focuses on supporting vulnerable residents with energy bill advice and referrals to ECO4 funding. Tameside has seen significant ECO-funded insulation work in Ashton-under-Lyne, Stalybridge and Denton, particularly external wall insulation on terraces.

Oldham Council: Runs the Warm Homes Oldham scheme, which provides a single point of contact for energy support including insulation grants, fuel poverty advice and benefits checks. The council has been particularly effective at identifying eligible households through proactive outreach in Chadderton, Failsworth and Shaw.

Rochdale Council: Active in ECO4 Flex referrals and has delivered significant insulation improvements across the borough, particularly in Heywood and Middleton. Their housing standards team also enforces energy efficiency standards on private landlords.

Bury Council: Provides energy guidance and ECO4 referrals through their housing team. Bury has participated in multiple LAD funding rounds, delivering insulation to homes in Radcliffe, Whitefield and Ramsbottom. They also offer grants for first-time central heating installation in homes that have never had a full system.

Trafford Council: Runs energy support through their housing and environmental health teams. While Trafford has a lower proportion of fuel-poor households than some boroughs, targeted support is available for eligible residents in areas like Old Trafford, Stretford and Partington.

National Schemes Available Through Local Councils

In addition to local programmes, several national schemes are delivered through or signposted by Greater Manchester councils:

• ECO4: The main national insulation scheme, available to benefits recipients in properties rated EPC D or below. Your council can make ECO4 Flex referrals if you do not receive qualifying benefits but are in fuel poverty.
• Warm Homes: Local Grant: Run by councils (some in consortia) for homes rated EPC D to G where the household has a gross income under £36,000, gets a means-tested benefit or lives in an eligible postcode; the council and its installer decide. You don’t need to be on benefits if your income or postcode qualifies. (The Great British Insulation Scheme, which targeted homes in Council Tax bands A-D, closed on 31 March 2026.)
• Boiler Upgrade Scheme: £7,500 towards a heat pump (£9,000 until 31 March 2027 if your home is heated by oil or LPG and has no mains gas connection). Available to all homeowners replacing fossil fuel heating.
• Warm Home Discount: a discount off electricity bills (currently £150, subject to change) for eligible households. Most councils can help you check eligibility and apply.

Our guides to ECO4 eligibility and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme cover these national programmes in detail.

How to Access Support

The single best step is to contact your local council and ask about energy support for homeowners. Here is the typical process:

Step 1: Call your council’s housing or environment team and explain your situation. Mention your property type, heating system, any benefits you receive and what issues you are experiencing (high bills, cold rooms, damp).

Step 2: The council will assess which schemes you may be eligible for and either process your application directly or refer you to a qualified installer or guidance service.

Step 3: A surveyor will visit your home to assess what improvements are needed and confirm your eligibility.

Step 4: Work is carried out by qualified contractors at no cost (for fully funded schemes) or with a clear cost agreement (for part-funded schemes).

Private Landlords and Rented Properties

Greater Manchester has a large private rented sector, and landlords have a legal obligation to bring rented properties up to EPC band E or above. Several councils actively enforce this and provide support for landlords who need to improve their properties. ECO4 funding is available for rented homes where the tenant receives qualifying benefits, and some councils offer grants or low-interest loans for landlords making energy improvements.

If you are a tenant in a cold, poorly insulated rental property, contact your council’s housing standards team. They can enforce minimum energy efficiency standards and help you access support.

Do I have to be on benefits to get a grant?

Not always. The ECO4 Flex route allows councils to refer households that are not on benefits but are in fuel poverty. The Warm Homes: Local Grant, run by councils, doesn’t require benefits if your home is rated EPC D to G and your household’s gross income is under £36,000 or you live in an eligible postcode; the Great British Insulation Scheme, which went by Council Tax band, closed on 31 March 2026. And the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is available to homeowners who meet the property and eligibility criteria (no income test, but other requirements apply). Always ask your council what you might qualify for even if you do not receive benefits.

How long does it take to get a grant approved?

Timescales vary by scheme and demand. ECO4 applications can take 4-12 weeks for approval. Council-run schemes may have waiting lists of several months during peak demand. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is generally quicker, with approval often within 2-4 weeks. Start the process early if you want work done before the next winter.

Can I combine multiple grants?

In many cases, yes. You might receive ECO4 funding for insulation and a Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant for a heat pump on the same property. However, you cannot use two grants to fund the same specific measure. Your council or installer can advise on how to stack different funding sources to maximise the support you receive.