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Make smarter energy decisions for your home. Expert guides on solar panels, heat pumps, boilers, EV chargers, and grants to help you save money and cut carbon.

Quick Cost Comparison

Improvement Typical Cost Annual Savings Grants Available Payback Period
Solar Panels (4kW) £6,500–£8,000 £800–£1,000 0% VAT (saving £1,500) 7–8 years
Air Source Heat Pump £7,000–£14,000 £200–£500 vs gas £7,500 BUS grant 5–10 years (with grant)
New Combi Boiler £2,000–£3,500 £200–£400 vs old boiler ECO4 (eligible households) 6–10 years
EV Home Charger £800–£1,200 £1,100–£1,600 vs petrol Up to £350 OZEV grant Under 1 year
Solar + Battery £10,000–£15,000 £1,200–£1,800 0% VAT 7–10 years

UK Energy Grants & Schemes

Scheme What It Covers Amount Who Qualifies
Boiler Upgrade Scheme Heat pumps (air/ground source) £7,500 Homeowners replacing fossil fuel heating
ECO4 Insulation, boilers, heating Varies (up to full cost) Low income / vulnerable households
Great British Insulation Scheme Insulation Up to full cost Closed to new applications (March 2026)
OZEV EV Chargepoint Grant Home EV charger Up to £500 Homeowners/tenants with off-street parking
0% VAT on renewables Solar panels, batteries, heat pumps 20% saving All residential properties
Smart Export Guarantee Payment for exported solar electricity 3–15p/kWh Solar panel owners with smart meter

Where to Start?

Not sure which energy improvement is right for you?

Here’s a quick guide based on your situation:
Your Situation Best First Step Why
Old boiler (15+ years) breaking down New boiler or heat pump Immediate savings and reliability
High electricity bills, south-facing roof Solar panels Fastest payback, biggest bill reduction
Oil/LPG heating, well-insulated home Heat pump + BUS grant £7,500 grant, massive running cost savings
Just bought an electric car Home EV charger Save £1,000+/year vs public charging
Solar panels already installed Battery storage + EV charger Maximise solar self-consumption
Doing a full renovation Heat pump + solar + battery Future-proof your home in one go

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the single best energy investment for my home?For most UK homeowners, solar panels offer the best return – £800–£1,000/year savings with a 7–8 year payback. If you’re on oil or LPG, a heat pump with the £7,500 BUS grant can pay back even faster. If you have an EV, a home charger pays for itself within months.
Can I combine solar panels with a heat pump?Absolutely – this is the ideal combination. Solar panels generate cheap electricity during the day, and your heat pump uses that electricity to heat your home. With a battery, you can store surplus solar energy for evening heating. Together, they can cut your energy bills by 70–90%.
Are the 2035 changes going to affect me?From 2035, new-build homes in England won’t be able to install gas boilers. Existing homes will still be able to replace gas boilers after 2035. However, the government is actively incentivising heat pumps now via the BUS grant, and electricity is expected to become cheaper relative to gas as more renewables come online.

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lookinto.co.uk publishes independent UK cost research and free quote comparisons across home energy, mobility, home improvement and later-life care. Our research team turns public data into original cost indices and reports that households use and the press cite.