If you live in Wales and your home is cold, hard to heat, or you’re struggling with energy bills, the Nest scheme could fund free improvements — no matter whether you own or rent.
What Is Nest Wales?
Nest is the Welsh Government’s flagship home energy efficiency scheme. It is designed to help households in Wales reduce their energy bills, improve their heating, and cut carbon emissions — all free of charge for eligible households. The scheme is delivered by British Gas Services (Wales) under contract to the Welsh Government.
Nest is distinct from UK-wide schemes like ECO4, though the two can work in combination. Nest applies Welsh-specific eligibility criteria and prioritises the worst-performing homes in the country.
Who Qualifies?
Eligibility for Nest is based on benefit receipt or income assessment, plus a home energy assessment.
Qualifying Benefits
| Benefit | Notes |
|---|---|
| Pension Credit (any type) | Strong qualifying route |
| Universal Credit | Income cap applies |
| Income Support | Legacy benefit |
| Income-based JSA or ESA | Legacy benefits |
| Child Tax Credit | With income cap |
| Working Tax Credit | With income cap |
| Housing Benefit | |
| Disability Living Allowance or PIP | Plus income assessment |
Income Assessment Route
Households not receiving qualifying benefits may still be eligible. During a free home energy assessment, an adviser evaluates your income and energy costs. If you are identified as being in fuel poverty (spending a high proportion of income on energy to maintain adequate warmth), you may qualify regardless of benefit status.
Owner-occupiers are the primary eligible group. Private tenants can qualify but must have landlord consent. Social housing tenants are typically covered by separate programmes run through their landlord.
What Measures Can Nest Fund?
Following a home energy assessment, a surveyor recommends measures based on your property’s construction and energy performance. Nest can fund:
| Measure | Common Properties |
|---|---|
| Loft insulation | Most homes with accessible loft |
| Cavity wall insulation | 1920s–2000s cavity-wall properties |
| Solid wall insulation | Pre-1920s stone or brick construction |
| Underfloor insulation | Suspended timber ground floors |
| Air source heat pump | Detached/semi where gas not viable |
| First-time gas central heating | Properties with no central heating |
| Replacement boiler | Where heat pump is not suitable |
| Solar panels (PV) | In some cases, combined with other measures |
| Heating controls | Smart thermostats, TRVs |
Nest uses a whole-house approach, aiming to bring the property to an EPC band D or better where possible.
How Much Does It Cost?
Nothing. Nest is entirely free to eligible households — there is no contribution required, no grant cap to bridge, and no application fee. All costs including survey, installation, materials, and any scaffolding are covered.
The value of measures installed can be substantial. Solid wall insulation alone typically costs £8,000–£20,000. Air source heat pumps cost £10,000–£15,000. Eligible households receive these improvements without any personal cost.
How to Apply
- Call 0808 808 2244 (free, Monday–Friday 9am–5pm) or apply at gov.wales/nest-scheme
- An adviser checks your initial eligibility based on benefits and property
- A free home energy assessment is arranged at a time that suits you
- A surveyor visits and identifies eligible measures
- An approved Nest installer is allocated and work is scheduled
- Improvements are installed — you sign a consent form but pay nothing
Warning: Unsolicited callers claiming to offer free Welsh Government grants are common scammers. Always contact Nest directly via the official number or website. Legitimate Nest operatives never cold call.
Nest vs ECO4 in Wales
| Feature | Nest Wales | ECO4 |
|---|---|---|
| Funded by | Welsh Government | UK Government via suppliers |
| Scope | Wales only | England, Scotland, Wales |
| Delivery | British Gas Services (Wales) | Multiple energy suppliers |
| Heat pumps | Yes | Yes |
| Solar PV | Yes (in some cases) | Limited |
| Income-only route | Yes | Limited (via LA Flex) |
| Application | One helpline | Via installers / suppliers |
Nest and ECO4 can work together — Nest advisers will tell you if ECO4 could fund additional measures alongside a Nest installation.
After Your Assessment
If your home is eligible, a Nest-approved installer contacts you to schedule the work. Timescales vary, but most households in 2026 wait between 6 and 16 weeks from assessment to installation start, depending on the complexity of the measures and installer availability.
After completion, your property’s EPC is updated. You should see a reduction in your energy bills within the first heating season.
After Your Nest Installation
Once Nest work is complete, several things follow automatically:
- Your EPC is updated — the installer lodges a new Energy Performance Certificate with the Domestic EPC Register. Your home’s band may rise from F to D or E to C. Check lodgement at epcregister.com within 4–6 weeks of completion
- Inform your mortgage lender — if your home has improved to EPC C or above, you may qualify for a green mortgage or a rate reduction at your next renewal. Contact your lender to note the improvement
- Expect bill savings from the next heating season — Nest measures typically save £300–£900/year on heating for a medium-sized home, depending on what was installed. Solid wall insulation and heat pump installations tend to deliver the largest savings
- Combine with other Welsh support — a Nest improvement reduces your bills, but if you are still struggling, also apply for the Warm Home Discount (£150 annual rebate from your energy supplier), Cold Weather Payments (if receiving qualifying benefits), and the Welsh Government Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) for emergency fuel costs
If the surveyor recommended no measures: this usually means your home already meets the scheme’s improvement threshold, or the measures needed are outside Nest’s scope. Ask the scheme adviser for the reason in writing. You may be able to reapply if your circumstances or the programme criteria change.
Combining Nest With Other Schemes
Nest and ECO4 can run in parallel on the same property. If Nest funds insulation, ECO4 (or its successor) may fund a heat pump, or vice versa. Home Energy Scotland has a Welsh equivalent relationship with Nest — advisers on the helpline will guide you through what combination is possible for your home.
Related Guides
- Energy Grants and Schemes hub — full UK grant landscape
- ECO4 Scheme Guide — UK-wide scheme that can run alongside Nest
- Energy Advice for Renters hub — if you’re a renter in Wales