What Affordable Warmth Solutions does

Affordable Warmth Solutions (AWS) is a UK-registered Community Interest Company (CIC), founded in 2008 and headquartered in Leeds, that delivers free or heavily subsidised low-carbon heating and energy-efficiency installations to vulnerable, low-income households experiencing fuel poverty. Its core technical offering consists of four installed technologies: air source heat pumps (which extract heat from outside air for space and water heating), Haydale JustHeat graphene-based low-voltage electric underfloor heating panels, rooftop Solar PV systems, and battery storage units that store surplus solar generation. These technologies are bundled into two principal schemes — the Solar PV & Battery Storage Scheme, delivered in partnership with government-approved accreditation body Quidos Ltd, and the Grid for Good Energy Affordability Fund, delivered in partnership with National Grid (in place since 2008) and covering households in England and Wales. AWS also administers two bill-support programmes (Warm Homes Fund Bill Support with City Energy and E Vouchers; Connected for Warmth Bill Support with AgilityEco and E Vouchers) that transfer eligible applicant data to delivery partners for direct energy bill assistance.

AWS does not sell to end customers; it operates a community-led go-to-market in which grant funding from National Grid and government programmes is passed through to households free of charge, with AWS retaining programme administration and installation delivery. Eligibility is restricted to households meeting at least one of four criteria: a verified health condition worsened by cold, a resident over 70, a child in school years 3–7 receiving free school meals, or low-income status. Outreach is referral-based via National Grid, Quidos Ltd, and community partners, supplemented by a website contact form and a dedicated phone line (0800 995 6564). Over 17 years, AWS has supported delivery of more than £1 billion in public and partner funding and assisted 229,178 homes — of which 9,000 were supported via the Connected for Warmth project with cavity wall and loft insulation.

Operationally, AWS runs a lean team of 1–10 employees and is currently not accepting new applications due to exceptionally high demand, instead focusing on installations already in progress. The organisation holds ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications and is governed by a board chaired by Chris Bennett, with Jeremy Nesbitt as Managing Director and Jenny Saunders OBE as Non-Executive Director. As a CIC, AWS is structurally non-profit-distributing, with no identified parent company, no external PE/VC investment, and no disclosed acquisition activity.

Name

Affordable Warmth Solutions

Legal name

Affordable Warmth Solutions CIC

Website

https://affordablewarmthsolutions.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Affordable Warmth Solutions is a UK Community Interest Company, founded in 2008, that delivers free or subsidised low-carbon heating, Solar PV, battery storage, and energy bill support to vulnerable, fuel-poor households in England and Wales via National Grid- and government-funded programmes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Home Energy Efficiency Services

NAICS

Steam and Air-Conditioning Supply (221330)

SIC

Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585)

akta.pro primary industry

Residential HVAC System Installation (Furnace/AC/Heat Pump) (HSAOAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Onsite Low-Carbon Heat & CHP (Electrified CHP, Fuel Cells, Renewable CHP) (EUABAJAI)

Keywords

• Fuel poverty alleviation
• Low-carbon heating
• Heat pump installation
• Solar PV systems
• Energy efficiency schemes

Headquarters

HQ city

Solihull

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Grant-Funded Program Delivery: As a Community Interest Company, AWS delivers funded programs to vulnerable households at no cost to beneficiaries. Revenue comes from grants and funding partnerships with organizations like National Grid and government programs.
2. Energy Bill Support: AWS administers bill support programs (Warm Homes Fund Bill Support, Connected for Warmth Bill Support) providing energy bill assistance to qualifying households.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Affordable Warmth Solutions CIC delivers free or discounted low-carbon heating and energy efficiency installations — air source heat pumps, JustHeat graphene-based underfloor electric heating panels, solar PV panels, battery energy storage, and insulation — to vulnerable, low-income UK households in fuel poverty. These technologies are bundled within grant-funded schemes (Grid for Good Energy Affordability Fund with National Grid and the Solar PV & Battery Storage Scheme with Quidos Ltd) and accompanied by two energy bill support programmes (Warm Homes Fund Bill Support and Connected for Warmth Bill Support).

Product overview

Affordable Warmth Solutions (AWS) is a Community Interest Company offering a portfolio of low-carbon energy products and schemes aimed at reducing fuel poverty among vulnerable UK households. Its core product portfolio consists of four installed energy technologies: Air Source Heat Pumps (which transfer heat from outside air to heat buildings and provide hot water), JustHeat Electric Heating Systems (ultra-thin, low-voltage graphene-based underfloor heating panels), Solar PV (rooftop photovoltaic panels that convert daylight to electricity), and Energy Storage Batteries (which store surplus electricity for use at night or on cloudy days). These technologies are delivered both as standalone products and bundled within government and partner-funded schemes — specifically the Solar PV & Battery Storage Scheme (delivered with Quidos Ltd) and the Grid for Good Energy Affordability Fund (in partnership with National Grid and Quidos Ltd). AWS also administers two bill support programmes: the Warm Homes Fund Bill Support (via City Energy and E Vouchers) and the Connected for Warmth Bill Support (via AgilityEco and E Vouchers). The company was established in 2008 and, over 17 years, has supported the delivery of over £1 billion in funding to make 229,178 homes more energy-efficient.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Air Source Heat Pumps Renewable heating systems that absorb heat from outside air even in cold weather, compress it to raise its temperature, and release it inside the home to provide space heating and hot water. Installed by AWS in eligible fuel-poor households through the Grid for Good Energy Affordability Fund.
• JustHeat Electric Heating Systems Ultra-thin, low-voltage graphene-based underfloor heating panels providing quiet, even warmth without fans or fossil fuels, powered by safe low-voltage electricity. Delivered to eligible vulnerable households through the Grid for Good Energy Affordability Fund.
• Solar PV Rooftop photovoltaic panels that convert daylight into electricity for homes, with excess energy exportable to the grid or stored in a battery. Delivered as part of the Solar PV & Battery Storage Scheme to eligible vulnerable households.
• Energy Storage Battery Battery storage systems that store surplus electricity from solar panels or the grid for use at night or on cloudy days, reducing energy bills and increasing grid independence. Installed alongside Solar PV through the Solar PV & Battery Storage Scheme.
• Solar PV & Battery Storage Scheme Government-approved scheme delivered in partnership with Quidos Ltd, providing Solar PV and Battery Storage installations to eligible vulnerable, low-income households with existing heating and an evidenced health condition worsened by the cold. Designed to reduce energy costs and energy debt for households not reached by other Government programmes.
• Grid for Good Energy Affordability Fund Fund established in partnership with National Grid to support vulnerable, low-income households that do not qualify for government programmes. Delivers air source heat pumps and JustHeat graphene electric heating systems to households in England and Wales struggling with rising energy costs.
• Warm Homes Fund Bill Support Energy bill support programme administered by AWS in partnership with City Energy and E Vouchers, transferring applicant data for the sole purpose of providing bill support to eligible households.
• Connected for Warmth Bill Support Energy bill support programme administered by AWS in partnership with AgilityEco and E Vouchers, transferring applicant data for the sole purpose of providing bill support under the Connected for Warmth Bill Support Programme.

Quantifiable outcome

• 229,178 homes made warmer, more comfortable, and more energy efficient
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• National GridcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Long-standing partnership established in 2008 with National Grid to address fuel poverty by providing free or discounted gas connections and heating systems to vulnerable households. National Grid provides funding through the Grid for Good Energy Affordability Fund to help households struggling with rising energy costs.
• Quidos LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment-approved energy efficiency and accreditation organization that partners with AWS to deliver Solar PV and Battery Storage installations and air source heat pumps to eligible vulnerable households. Quidos provides accreditation and quality assurance for the energy efficiency schemes.
• Haydale (JustHeat)coreTechnology or IntegrationHaydale's JustHeat brand provides ultra-efficient, low-voltage, graphene-based underfloor heating panels that AWS installs through the Grid for Good Energy Affordability Fund scheme. These panels provide clean, consistent warmth while using very little energy.
• City EnergysupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCity Energy receives customer information from AWS for the sole purpose of providing Warm Homes Fund Bill Support to eligible households.
• E VoucherssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerE Vouchers receives customer information from AWS for the sole purpose of providing energy bill support under the Warm Homes Fund Bill Support Programme.
• AgilityEcosupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAgilityEco receives customer information from AWS for the sole purpose of providing energy bill support under the Connected for Warmth Bill Support Programme.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Changeworks: Scottish charity tackling fuel poverty and climate change through home energy advice, retrofit programmes, and grant-funded installations for low-income households. Closely comparable in delivery model and beneficiary focus.
• Centre for Sustainable Energy: Bristol-based national charity delivering advice, programmes, and partnerships that help households use less energy and tackle fuel poverty. Comparable in mission (reducing energy costs and carbon in low-income homes) and in operating as a social enterprise.
• AgilityEco: UK energy services company that administers the Connected for Warmth Bill Support Programme alongside AWS and helps vulnerable, low-income households access funded energy efficiency measures. Directly comparable as a social-purpose delivery partner for fuel poverty programmes.
• National Energy Action: The UK's leading fuel poverty charity, focused on campaigning, advice, and delivery support for vulnerable households. Comparable as a social-purpose organisation addressing the same beneficiary segment via policy advocacy and programme delivery.

Broad incumbents

• Energy Saving Trust: Government-backed organisation delivering consumer-facing energy efficiency advice and programmes across the UK. Operates at much greater scale and breadth than AWS but addresses overlapping themes (home energy upgrades, vulnerable household support).
• British Gas: Largest UK domestic energy supplier and Centrica subsidiary, operating its own affordable warmth and home services programmes for vulnerable customers. Comparable as a major delivery channel for funded energy efficiency schemes that overlaps with AWS's beneficiary base.
• E.ON UK: Major UK energy supplier delivering affordable warmth initiatives, insulation grants, and heat pump programmes for low-income and vulnerable customers. Comparable as a large incumbent participating in similar funded schemes to AWS.
• National Grid: AWS's longest-standing strategic partner and a core funder through the Grid for Good Energy Affordability Fund. Comparable as the upstream utility whose fuel poverty spending AWS administers; a large incumbent rather than a direct competitor.
• Octopus Energy: Large UK energy retailer with growing involvement in heat pump installations and energy efficiency services for domestic customers, including support for low-income households. Comparable as a broad incumbent intersecting AWS's beneficiary segment.

Others

• Solar Energy UK: Industry trade association representing the UK solar and energy storage sector. Comparable as an ecosystem participant supporting the same renewable technology categories (Solar PV, battery storage) that AWS installs in vulnerable homes.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/affordable-warmth-solutions
• Xx.com/ngridaws
• Facebookfacebook.com/nationalgridaffordablewarmthsolutions

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Affordable Warmth Solutions