Cut your energy bills without getting stitched up
Real UK prices for solar, heat pumps, boilers and EV chargers, the grants you can actually claim in 2026, and honest paybacks. Then free quotes from vetted local installers when you are ready.
Four upgrades, four very different sums
What each one costs installed, what it saves a year, and the bit the salesperson tends to skip.
Solar panels
From £5,500 installed. Saves £800–£1,000 a year on a typical 4kW system, and the VAT is zero.
The catch: a north-facing roof or heavy shade can halve every number above.
Heat pumps
£7,000–£14,000 before the £7,500 BUS grant. Over 300% efficient where a gas boiler manages about 90%.
The catch: that efficiency needs a well-insulated house. Sort the insulation first.
Boilers
£2,000–£3,500 installed. Worth it if yours is 15 years old and limping. Combi, system and regular compared.
The catch: a like-for-like swap is the cheap bit. Moving it adds £500 to £1,000.
EV chargers
£800–£1,200 installed, with up to £350 back. On an off-peak tariff it pays for itself inside a year.
The catch: the grant needs off-street parking, which rules out most terraces.
What each upgrade costs and pays back
Installed prices for a typical three-bedroom UK home, checked in July 2026.
| Upgrade | Typical cost | Annual saving | Grant or relief | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar panels (4kW) | £6,500–£8,000 | £800–£1,000 | 0% VAT, saving about £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 an old boiler | ECO4 if eligible | 6–10 years |
| EV home charger | £800–£1,200 | £1,100–£1,600 vs petrol | Up to £350 OZEV grant | Under 1 year |
| Solar and battery | £10,000–£15,000 | £1,200–£1,800 | 0% VAT | 7–10 years |
Savings assume the April 2026 price cap. Your numbers move with usage, tariff and how well the house holds heat.
UK energy grants and schemes in 2026
What is open, what it pays, and who qualifies.
| Scheme | What it covers | Amount | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme | Air and ground source heat pumps | £7,500 | Homeowners replacing fossil fuel heating |
| ECO4 | Insulation, boilers, heating | Varies, up to full cost | Low income and vulnerable households |
| Great British Insulation Scheme | Insulation | Up to full cost | Closed to new applicants since March 2026 |
| OZEV Chargepoint Grant | Home EV charger | Up to £500 | Homeowners and tenants with off-street parking |
| 0% VAT on renewables | Solar, batteries, heat pumps | 20% saving | All residential properties |
| Smart Export Guarantee | Payment for exported solar electricity | 3–15p per kWh | Solar owners with a smart meter |
Find yourself on this list
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