Renewable Energy for Care Homes: A Guide to Cutting Costs & Accessing Grants
As the UK energy crisis continues, nursing homes and care homes are under increasing pressure to manage rising electricity and heating costs while maintaining high standards of care for residents. With facilities operating 24/7, energy bills are one of the biggest overheads for care providers, and many homes are missing out on government grants that could help fund renewable energy solutions.
At Blue Ape Renewables, we specialise in helping nursing homes, care homes, and assisted living facilities make the switch to solar panels, battery storage, and air source heat pumps (ASHPs)—reducing their reliance on fossil fuels while unlocking significant long-term energy savings.
With the UK’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) offering £7,500 grants for air source heat pumps, along with other incentives for solar PV and battery storage, now is the perfect time to future-proof your care facility with low-carbon, cost-effective energy solutions.
Why Care Homes Face High Energy Costs
Care homes have some of the highest energy demands of any sector due to:
- Heating & Hot Water: Elderly residents require constant heating for comfort and well-being.
- Medical Equipment: Hoists, beds, ventilators, and monitoring systems run 24/7.
- Catering & Laundry Facilities: Industrial kitchens and laundry services consume huge amounts of electricity.
- 24-Hour Lighting: Safety and security require continuous lighting across the facility.
💡 Did You Know? A care home could cut its energy bills by up to 70% with a combination of solar PV, battery storage, and a heat pump system, depending on current usage and system size.
Government Grants for Nursing & Care Homes
Care homes are eligible for financial support when switching to renewable energy:
1️⃣ Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) – £7,500 Grant for Heat Pumps
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) helps UK businesses, including care homes, replace gas and oil boilers with low-carbon air source heat pumps (ASHPs).
- £7,500 grant towards the cost of an air source heat pump installation.
- Available to any care home with a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
- No repayment required—this is a non-repayable incentive.
🔗 Source: UK Government Boiler Upgrade Scheme – Ofgem
💡 How Blue Ape Helps: We handle the entire grant application process for you, including EPC assessments and heat loss surveys, ensuring you get maximum funding.
2️⃣ VAT Reduction for Solar & Battery Installations
- The UK government offers 0% VAT on the installation of solar panels and battery storage for qualifying properties (including residential and charitable use).
- Reduces the upfront cost of switching to renewable energy.
🔗 Source: UK Government VAT Reduction – GOV.UK
💡 Blue Ape Wisdom: Care homes with solar and battery storage can reduce grid electricity use significantly, cutting annual energy costs by thousands of pounds.
3️⃣ Grants for EV Charging Points
- The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) provides up to £350 per charger (max 40 sockets per site).
- Care homes can install EV chargers for staff, residents’ families, and fleet vehicles.
- Future-proofs your facility as electric vehicle adoption grows.
🔗 Source: UK Workplace Charging Scheme – GOV.UK
💡 Pro Tip: Installing solar carports with integrated EV chargers can turn your parking areas into an energy-generating asset while providing charging for visitors and staff.
Renewable Energy Solutions for Care Homes
1️⃣ Solar PV – Generate Free Electricity
Installing solar panels on the large rooftops of care homes is an ideal solution.
- Reduce reliance on expensive grid electricity.
- Use free solar power during the day to run medical equipment, lighting, and heating.
- Export excess energy back to the grid and earn payments.
💡 Fact: Care homes operate during peak sunlight hours, meaning most solar power is directly used, maximising savings.
🔗 Find Out More About Solar PV for Care Homes
2️⃣ Battery Storage – Use Stored Energy at Night & During Peak Tariffs
- Store excess solar energy for use when electricity prices are highest.
- Keep critical medical equipment running during power outages.
- Charge batteries overnight on off-peak tariffs for cheaper electricity use.
💡 Tip: Care homes on Octopus Intelligent tariffs can charge batteries at ultra-low rates and use stored energy during peak hours.
🔗 Explore Battery Storage Solutions
3️⃣ Air Source Heat Pumps – Cut Heating Costs
- Provides low-cost heating & hot water all year round.
- More efficient than gas boilers, with up to 400% efficiency.
- Eligible for the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
💡 Fact: Heat pumps work even in freezing temperatures, providing consistent warmth for residents.
🔗 Find Out About Heat Pumps for Care Homes
Why Care Homes Trust Blue Ape Renewables
- MCS & NAPIT Certified – Ensuring eligibility for grants & incentives.
- Tailored Renewable Energy Solutions – Designed specifically for care homes & high-energy-use facilities.
- Full Grant Application Handling – We take care of EPCs, heat loss surveys, and paperwork.
- Nationwide Service – Covering the entire UK with expert installers.
- 5-Star Customer Service – Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1️⃣ Can care homes get government grants for solar panels?
Yes! Care homes can benefit from 0% VAT on solar PV & battery storage and may qualify for other local incentives or funding schemes.
2️⃣ How much can a care home save by switching to renewables?
Most facilities can cut energy costs significantly. A large solar PV and battery system could save up to 60-70% on electricity bills, depending on system size and usage.
3️⃣ How long does it take to install solar panels or heat pumps?
A commercial-scale solar PV system can be installed in as little as 3-5 days, while a heat pump system may take 1-2 weeks.
4️⃣ What happens if there’s a power cut?
With battery storage, essential systems (lighting, medical equipment, heating) can continue to operate without disruption.
5️⃣ Can Blue Ape Renewables handle the entire installation process?
Yes! We manage everything, from grant applications to system design, installation, and maintenance.
Get a Free Consultation for Your Care Home
🚀 Take control of your care home’s energy future with Blue Ape Renewables – The UK’s leading renewable energy specialists!
