Unlock the Extra 10%: Funding Low-Carbon Heating

Low Carbon Heating in Social Housing

The drive toward net zero is accelerating change across the social housing sector. One of the most impactful areas for reducing carbon emissions, tackling fuel poverty, and improving tenant comfort is low-carbon heating. With government-backed funding now available for housing associations, local authorities, and social landlords, there has never been a better time to invest in future-ready heating solutions.

At CCS, we have been supporting social housing providers since 2007. From traditional boiler installations and compliance services to full retrofit and renewable energy solutions, our mission is simple: deliver high-quality, innovative systems that help our customers decarbonise with confidence.

What Is Low Carbon Heating?

Low-carbon heating refers to technologies that significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional gas or oil boilers. These systems typically rely on renewable or highly efficient energy sources and play a central role in achieving net zero housing stock.

Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) – Extract heat from the air to provide space heating and hot water

When paired with fabric improvements such as insulation and modern controls, low-carbon heating delivers long-term carbon savings and lower running costs for residents.

Why Low-Carbon Heating Matters for Social Housing

For housing associations, local authorities, and landlords, low-carbon heating is not just an environmental choice; it is a strategic one.

Key benefits include:

Carbon reduction in line with government targets and ESG commitments
Improved energy efficiency, helping reduce tenant fuel bills
Future-proofed housing stock, less exposed to fossil fuel price volatility
Regulatory readiness as standards tighten toward 2030 and beyond
Enhanced resident comfort with modern, reliable systems

Investing now helps avoid costly reactive upgrades later while demonstrating leadership in sustainability.

Funding Available for the Social Housing Sector

A refreshed funding landscape now makes it even more viable for social housing providers to transition to low-carbon heating, particularly in homes that currently rely on gas. Recent government updates place stronger emphasis on decarbonisation while offering targeted financial incentives to support delivery.

Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (WH:SHF)

The Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund is in place to support social landlords in improving the energy performance of their homes.

A key enhancement of WH:SHF is the availability of an additional 10% uplift in funding specifically for low-carbon heating installations in properties that are currently heated by gas. This incentive is designed to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and reduce reliance on gas across the social housing stock.

Funding can be used as part of a whole‑house retrofit approach, combining fabric improvements with technologies such as heat pumps and solar PV to deliver long‑term carbon savings, compliance, and resident comfort.

Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH:LG)

The Warm Homes: Local Grant is delivered through local authorities and is aimed at improving energy efficiency and installing low-carbon heating in low‑income and hard‑to‑treat homes.

This funding stream is particularly relevant for:

Off‑gas or inefficient properties
Mixed‑tenure or place‑based projects led by local authorities
Programmes targeting fuel poverty alongside carbon reduction

The Warm Homes Plan

The Warm Homes Plan provides the overarching policy framework, bringing several funding streams together. Its focus is on delivering warmer, cheaper‑to‑run homes through energy efficiency upgrades and low-carbon heating at scale.

For housing associations and local authorities, the Warm Homes Plan signals long‑term government commitment, providing greater confidence to invest, plan programmes, and build delivery partnerships.

Navigating eligibility, uplift criteria, and delivery requirements can be complex, but with the right partner, funding opportunities can be maximised while ensuring compliant, high‑quality outcomes.

How CCS Supports Low-Carbon Heating Projects

Established in 2007, CCS has built a strong reputation delivering compliant, high-quality heating and retrofit solutions across England’s social housing sector.

Our full turnkey approach:

End-to-end delivery – From feasibility and design through to installation and aftercare
Funding‑aligned solutions – Systems designed to meet grant criteria and performance standards
Resident-focused delivery – Clear communication, safe working practices, and minimal disruption
Proven expertise – Extensive experience across boilers, heat pumps, compliance, and retrofit
Innovation-led – Incorporating the latest technologies as we work toward net zero

As an industry leader in renewable energy installations, CCS partners with housing providers to deliver scalable, future-proof solutions that work today and tomorrow.

Looking Ahead: Building a Net Zero Future

Low-carbon heating is a cornerstone of decarbonising social housing. With funding available and proven technologies ready to deploy, the opportunity to act is now.

By working with experienced partners like CCS, housing associations, authorities, and landlords can confidently transition their stock, protect residents from rising energy costs, and make measurable progress toward net zero.

Ready to explore low-carbon heating for your housing stock?

CCS is here to help.