When people talk about retrofit, they usually mean improving an existing home so it’s warmer, cheaper to run, and more energy efficient. That can include insulation, heating upgrades, or generating your own energy, such as solar panels.  

Retrofit is not that different from renovation. It’s still about improving your home – but with a clear focus on using less energy and wasting less heat.  

The government’s Warm Homes Plan shifts the emphasis around how these improvements happen. Whole-house upgrades still matter, but the plan recognises that most households can’t afford to do everything in one go. The focus is on making it easier to start, rather than expecting people to do it all at once.  

That shift matters. It affects what feels realistic, what feels worth doing now, and how much pressure you put on yourself to get everything right straight away.  

This article is here to help you think that through.  

What’s new in 2026  

The Warm Homes Plan doesn’t introduce a single new scheme. Instead, it brings together existing programmes and updated support under a clearer direction.  

The biggest change is around money.  

For households on lower incomes, fully funded upgrades remain a priority, delivered through local and national schemes.  

For other homeowners, the emphasis has shifted towards access to finance. Low- and zero-interest loans are being positioned more clearly as a way to spread costs and lower the barrier to action, rather than requiring everything to be paid for upfront.  

There is also a noticeable shift in delivery. While insulation and low-carbon heating are still key, the plan places more emphasis on measures that are quicker to install and less disruptive, such as solar panels and battery storage. The aim is to make getting started feel more achievable for more households.  

What hasn’t changed  

Some basics still apply, whatever the policy landscape – but they shouldn’t stop you getting started.  

Every home is still different, and there’s no single upgrade that suits everyone. What works well in one house may not be right for another, and that’s normal.  

You don’t need to have a long list of upgrades in mind. Some homes only need a few targeted changes, and those can be done when it suits you. Others are improved more gradually, mixing small DIY fixes with bigger upgrades as time and budget allow.  

You also don’t need a perfect plan before you begin. Sensible first steps – especially simple, low-disruption ones – can improve comfort and cut bills without locking you into bigger decisions straight away. If you’re less confident, or planning more complex work, getting independent professional advice can help you move forward with confidence.  

How people are actually getting started  

In practice, people take different routes.  

Some begin with small, DIY measures and build confidence over time. Others plan upgrades in stages, combining simpler changes with professional work as budgets allow. A smaller number choose to tackle everything in one go.  

All of these approaches are valid. The key point is that you don’t have to commit to the most complex or expensive option to make progress. The Warm Homes Plan reflects that reality by placing more emphasis on ways people can begin, rather than expecting everyone to do everything at once.  

What support and finance actually look like  

The Warm Homes Plan doesn’t offer a single pot of money you apply to once. Support comes through a mix of grants, loans, and ongoing schemes, depending on your circumstances.  

If you’re on a lower income or living in fuel poverty, support is more likely to come in the form of fully funded upgrades, delivered through local authority or national programmes.  

If you’re not eligible for that level of support, the main change is access to affordable finance. Low- and zero-interest loans can make it easier to spread costs and start with smaller upgrades, rather than waiting until you can afford everything upfront.  

This doesn’t make every improvement affordable overnight. But for many households, it makes starting more realistic – particularly for measures like solar and batteries that can reduce bills early on.  

Before committing to anything, it’s important to understand what applies to you. Eligibility rules, repayment terms, and what’s actually covered can vary, and not every offer will suit every home. That’s why independent advice matters.  

Grants, loans, and funding resources worth checking  

There are a number of schemes that may help lower the cost of home energy improvements. Some are national, while others are specific to Oxfordshire.  

Oxfordshire-specific support  

Warm Homes: Local Grant (Oxfordshire County Council): Fully funded energy efficiency upgrades for eligible low-income households and private tenants, based on income and EPC rating. (Oxfordshire County Council)   

Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2 – Oxfordshire allocation): Funding for energy efficiency and low-carbon heating upgrades, focused on homes off the gas grid or with poor EPC ratings. 

Better Housing Better Health (Oxfordshire): A local advice service offering help with grants, insulation, heating upgrades, draught-proofing, and referrals to current schemes.

Local council support: District councils across Oxfordshire offer advice and, in some cases, financial support linked to home warmth and energy upgrades.  

• Oxford City Council  

• South Oxfordshire District Council  

• West Oxfordshire District Council  

• Vale of White Horse District Council  

National schemes that may still apply  

Boiler Upgrade Scheme: Grants towards low-carbon heating systems, such as heat pumps, installed by certified installers.   

Warm Homes: Local Grant (national framework): Funding delivered by councils across England for energy-saving and heating upgrades, subject to eligibility.  

Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS): A large insulation fund that has helped households improve insulation measures, though some parts have now closed to new applicants.  

If you’re thinking about next steps  

If 2026 feels like the year you want to do something, start by being honest about what you can manage now.  

You don’t need to do everything.  
You don’t need to get it perfect.  
You do need to start in a way that suits your home and your life.  

The Warm Homes Plan doesn’t change the fundamentals of good home improvement. But it does make it easier for more people to begin. For many households, that’s the most important change of all.