Unsecured Green Home Loans

iStock-1399694331-scaled-1824x1216

Lender innovation and strategic partnerships are fuelling growth in the UK’s unsecured green home loan market. With the majority of the UK’s 29 million homes requiring energy-efficient upgrades, a diverse range of financial solutions will be essential to support homeowners in their investment.

Unsecured Green Home Loans Explained

An unsecured green home loan is a specialised form of unsecured consumer financing tailored specifically to assist homeowners with financing energy efficiency and green home upgrades. Offered by lenders, unsecured green home loans are characterised by borrowing smaller amounts of money over shorter periods, compared to mortgage finance.

The shorter borrowing term of unsecured finance can mean a lower total cost over the loan’s lifespan than a mortgage (depending on the rate and term length). This type of flexible financing can be well-suited to the purchase of individual technologies like solar panels or heat pumps, or individual home improvement projects like installing insulation.

iStock-1700637758-scaled-1200x800

Overcoming risk in the unsecured loan market

The expansion of the green home finance market poses unique challenges and risks for lenders. The Green Finance Institute’s Built Environment team has been innovating a series of solutions to overcome these risks to make affordable, flexible finance available to consumers for home retrofit. We are now working with the market to bring these solutions to fruition.

Unsecured-graphic-2-1200x960

Resources

Built-Environment-6-830x553

Insights

15.01.26

Green loans triple: who’s offering them and how they’re making energy efficiency improvements more accessible

Unsecured green home loans available in the UK have tripled over the past three years as households across the country seek attractive ways to...

AdobeStock_945787414-2-scaled-830x465

27.11.24

Unsecured Green Home Loans: Consumer Protection and Scale in International Markets

Unsecured Green Home Loans: Consumer Protection and Scale in International Markets

GFI-Risk-Demystifier-830x1174

27.06.24

Unsecured green home loans : Demystifying the market

GFI-Managing-the-risk-cover-830x1174

27.06.24

Unsecured green home loans : Managing Risks

Lenders-Handbook-1024x730-1-830x592

25.06.24

Lender’s Handbook on Green Home Retrofit and Technologies

Provider

Product/Proposition Name

Link

Launch Year

Specific use of funds? (e.g. Solar Panels)

Whole of Market / Tied?*

Validation Required?

GHFP aligned?

Ballymena Causeway Credit Union

Green Home Improvement Loans

https://bccu.co.uk/loans/green-home-improvement-loan

2024

Energy efficient improvements

TiedTied – membership of Ballymena Causeway Credit Union. Membership conditions: live or work in the Mid and East Antrim and Causeway Coast and glens council areas

No

Ballynahinch Credit Union

Green Loan

https://ballynahinchcu.co.uk/loans/green-loan

2024

Green improvements

Tiedmembership of Ballynahinch Credit Union. Membership conditions: live or work in the BT24 and part of the BT30 post code areas

Quotation required

No

Barclays

Greener Home Loan

https://www.barclays.co.uk/sustainability/greener-homes/greener-home-loan/

2024

Low-carbon heating, solar, insulation, doors and windows, EV home charging points

TiedAvailable to current account customers only

At least 90% of the loan proceeds must be spent on eligible home improvements. A VAT registered installer or tradesperson should carry out the works, and their invoice should be submitted to Barclays. Customers installing low-carbon heating are required to use an MCS approved supplier.

No

Capital Credit Union

Green Loan

https://www.capitalcreditunion.com/green-loans

2023

Range of products including insulation, double/triple glazed windows, solar, heat pumps and EV home charging points

TiedMembership of Capital Credit Union. Membership conditions: live or work in Scotland's North East, Central, East and Borders regions

Provide proof of purchase or a quote/estimate that have been issued by a legitimate business or trader.

Aligned

Celtic Credit Union

Green Loan

https://celticcreditunion.co.uk/loans/green-loan

2025

Solar panels, heat pumps, energy-efficient doors and windows, EV home charging points, and others

TiedMembership of Celtic Credit Union. Membership conditions: live or work in Wales

Documentation required

No

Commsave Credit Union

Green Loan

https://www.commsave.co.uk/services/loans

2023

Energy-efficient home improvements, eco-friendly purchases, or other green investments.

TiedMembership of Commsave Credit Union. Membership conditions: live or work in Northamptonshire; or memberof Unite the Union; or work in the fishing industry; or are a member of Nautilus International; or work for an eligible organisation. See the website for more details

Via receipt

Committed to Align

Creation Consumer Finance

E.ON Next Home Solutions

https://www.eonnext.com/air-source-heat-pumps/costs   https://www.eonnext.com/solar-panels

2024

Heat pumps and solar

Whole of Market

Through E.ON Energy Installation Services

No

DivideBuy by Zopa Bank

DivideBuy Solar Loan

https://octopus.energy/order/solar/#financing-faq

2024

Solar

Tied

Through Octopus

Committed to align

Eastern Savings and Loans Credit Union

Green Loan

https://eslcu.co.uk/loans/green-loan/

2010

Range of products including insulation, solar, heat pumps and EV home charging points

TiedMembership of Eastern Savings and Loans Credit Union and a homeowner in Broadlands, Norfolk. Membership conditions: live, work, study, or volunteer in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, or specific Central and North Essex postcodes

final quote from your preferred supplier

Aligned

Eastern Savings and Loans Credit Union

Green Loan

https://eslcu.co.uk/loans/green-loan/

2022

Range of products including insulation, solar, heat pumps and EV home charging points

TiedMembership of Eastern Savings and Loans Credit Union and a homeowner in Suffolk. Membership conditions: live, work, study, or volunteer in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, or specific Central and North Essex postcodes

final quote from your preferred supplier

Aligned

Hometree

All Inclusive Plan

https://hometreefinance.co.uk/

2023

Solar, battery storage (heat pumps coming soon)

Whole of Market

Funds paid directly to installer for approved goods and installation.

No

Hull and East Yorkshire Credit Union

Green Loan

https://hullandeycu.co.uk/green-loan

2022

Range of green products including solar, heat pumps and insulation

TiedMembership of Hull and East Yorkshire Credit Union. Membership conditions: live or work in the East Yorkshire county, or the area of Lincolnshire county or in the area of North Lincolnshire Council or North East Lincolnshire Council or York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority; or work for the Department for Work & Pensions, HICA Group, and other selected employers anywhere in the UK; or work in administrative occupations including national and local government and call centres; or are a member of the same household as an individual who is a member of HEY Credit Union. See the website for more details

Provide a quote of your qualifying purchase or service.

No

Just Credit Union

Preferential Green Loan

https://justcreditunion.org/loans/preferential-green-loans/

2022

Range of products including insulation, double/triple glazed windows, solar, heat pumps and EV home charging points

TiedMembership of Just Credit Union. Membership conditions: live, work or study in Shropshire, Telford &Wrekin, Herefordshire, Wye Valley, Malvern Hills, Worcester, Stafford, Newcastle Under Lyme, South Staffordshire, or Stoke-on-Trent

Reserve right to check

No

KRD Credit Union

Green Loan

https://krdcreditunion.com/loans/green-loan

2024

Green home improvements

TiedMembership of KRD Credit Union. Membership conditions: live or work within a 10-mile radius of the Kilrea,Rasharkin, Dunloy, Cloughmills, Aghadowey, Garvagh and Ballymoney areas

No

Lendology CIC

Energy Efficiency Loan

https://www.lendology.org.uk/loans/energy-efficiency-loans/

2005

Renewable energy technology or energy saving measures (heat pumps, solar, double and triple glazing, insulation)

TiedOnly available in areas where Lendology has a partnership with the local council

Full quotes and an invoice required prior to releasing any loan funds.

Aligned

Lendology CIC

Renewable Energy Loan

https://www.lendology.org.uk/loans/renewable-energy-loans/

2010

Renewable energy technology - solar, heat pumps, biomass heating systems

TiedOnly available in areas where Lendology has a partnership with the local council

Full quotes and an invoice required prior to releasing any loan funds.

Aligned

Manchester Credit Union

Your Home Better

https://yourhomebetter.co.uk/grantsndfinance

2023

Energy efficiency improvements including solar, heat pumps, double glazing, insulation

TiedMembership of Manchester Credit Union. Membership conditions: live, work or study in Manchester, Trafford,Rochdale, Bury, Tameside, Stockport, or High Peak; tenant of Great Places Housing Group, Irwell Valley Homes, Mosscare St Vincent’s Housing Arcon Housing Association; or employed by a BEESMART payroll partner. See website for more details

Via Your Home Better one-stop-shop

Aligned

Metro Moneywise Credit Union

Better Home Loan

https://www.metromoneywise.co.uk/loans/better-home-loan

2025

Solar panels, new induction hobs, heat pumps, improved insulation

TiedMembership of Metro Moneywise Credit Union. Membership conditions: through payroll partners. See websitefor more details

Case-dependent on discussions with lender

Aligned

Newry Credit Union

Green Loan

https://www.newrycu.com/loans/green-loan/

2024

eco-friendly upgrades to homes including solar panels

TiedMembership of Newry Credit Union. Membership conditions: live or work within 11 miles of the Credit Union’s office on Hill Street

Proof of purchase

No

No1 CopperPot Credit Union

Green Loan

https://www.no1copperpot.com/police-loans/green-loan

2023

Range of products including insulation, double/triple glazed windows, solar, heat pumps and EV home charging points

TiedMembership of No1 Copper Pot Credit Union. Membership conditions: part of the UK Police Family. See website for more details

Requires quote/estimate or a proof of purchase

Aligned

Plend

Make My House Green

https://www.makemyhousegreen.com/plend-financing

2023

Solar, battery storage, EV home charging points

Whole of Market

Make My House Green/Switched takes care of this

No

Propensio Finance

Energy & Renewables

https://www.propensio.co.uk/our-products/renewables/

2019

Solar, battery storage, EV home charging points, heat pumps

Whole of Market

Use of funds validated through EPVS and as agreed

Aligned

Salford Credit Union

Home Energy Loan Plan

https://www.salfordcreditunion.com/affordable-loans/green-loans

2024

Energy efficiency improvements including solar, heat pumps, double glazing, insulation

TiedMembership of Salford Credit Union. Membership conditions: live or work in the following postcodes: M3,M8, M9, M12, M24, M25, M29, M35, M38, M40 & M45; or pay a subscription to either Unions Unite/ Unison

A copy of a retrofit contract must be provided or can arrange to pay the retrofitter directly if possible.

Aligned

South Manchester Credit Union

Green Loan

https://www.smcreditunion.co.uk/green-loan/

2022

Heating retrofits, solar, EV home charging points, electric car , bikes, insulation, greenhouse and veg growing

TiedMembership of South Manchester Credit Union. Membership conditions: live or work in South Manchester;or work for Onward Homes, the University of Manchester, or One Manchester; or other eligibility criteria. See website for more details

On discussion with South Manchester CU

Aligned

Sunsave Energy Limited

Sunsave Plus

https://www.sunsave.energy/sunsave-plus

2024

Solar, battery storage

Whole of Market

Sunsave Group Ltd includes both the MCS/Flexi-Orb-registered Sunsave UK Limited as the installer and Sunsave Energy Limited as the lender for green technologies available under Sunsave Plus, meaning that any loans dispersed through Sunsave are validated as green.

Aligned

Tandem Bank

Green Home Improvement Loans

https://www.tandem.co.uk/borrow/home-improvement-loans

2019

Solar, battery storage, heat pumps, double glazing/ energy efficient windows

TiedThrough approved retailers/ installers.

Funds paid directly to installer for approved goods and installation.

Aligned

Wave Community Bank

Retrofit Loan

https://wavecb.org.uk/retrofit-loans/

2025

Insulation, double glazing, solar panels, or a heat pump

TiedMembership of Wave Community Bank. Membership conditions: live, work or study in East Sussex, Brighton& Hove, Kent, Medway or the London Borough of Bexley; or are members of Unite the Union in the South East Region

No

* to denote availability to specific customers

Table last updated in November 2025.

The GFI is not in any way commercially affiliated with the finance providers listed on this webpage. Finance providers are listed solely to reflect the fact that they have either:

  • adopted the GFI’s Green Home Finance Principles (GHFPs);
  • made commitments relevant to the objectives of the GHFPs; or
  • are otherwise marketing the products listed for purposes consistent with the permitted uses of proceeds as set out in the GHFPs.

This webpage is for informational purposes only. It is not, and is not intended to be, an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity. The GFI makes no statement as to the suitability, terms or risks of any listed finance provider, product, or service, and does not recommend any particular finance provider, product or service. Nothing on this webpage constitutes investment or financial advice of any kind, and should not be used or relied upon as such. Other finance providers are available.