Welsh Net Zero Specialist Sero Urges New Finance Models to Maximise Warm Homes Investment

FinTech Wales Foundry graduate Sero has welcomed the UK government’s £1.8 billion Warm Homes funding but warns that long-term financial models are needed to sustain retrofit efforts beyond one-off grants.

The UK government has announced the allocation of £1.8 billion to improve energy efficiency in up to 170,000 homes across England as part of the Warm Homes Plan. This funding, delivered through the Warm Homes: Local Grant and the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund, aims to help low-income and social housing tenants access vital upgrades, such as insulation, solar panels, and heat pumps—ultimately reducing energy bills and carbon emissions.

Among those responding to the announcement is Sero, a Welsh fintech and retrofit specialist focused on decarbonising homes. As a Season One graduate of the Fintech Wales Foundry, Sero has been at the forefront of technology-driven solutions that support landlords and residents in achieving energy-efficient homes.

“Grants Won’t Last Forever” – Sero Calls for Sustainable Retrofit Financing

Emma Williams, Chief Commercial Officer at Sero, welcomed the funding but highlighted the need for innovation in financial models to ensure long-term impact:

“It’s fantastic to see the allocation announced for the Warm Homes Social Housing Fund, with so many social landlords receiving funding. The oversubscription and the large number of successful allocations demonstrate how the sector is prioritising retrofit, providing residents with healthier, more affordable, and greener homes.”

“While the Warm Homes funding is a significant step towards 2050, it’s important to recognise that it’s not enough to meet all our housing needs and the grants won’t last forever. As landlords ramp up their delivery efforts, we hope to see them innovate, testing new finance models, and using the right measures effectively. This will enable them to deliver more homes and go beyond EPC C.”

“As the sector transitions into delivery, it’s crucial for us to collaborate, learn from past projects, and prioritise providing an exceptional resident experience. By focusing on quality installations, we can truly showcase how improving our homes positively impacts both people and the planet.”

Ensuring Retrofit Efforts Continue Beyond Government Grants

The Warm Homes Plan is part of the government’s broader strategy to improve living standards and tackle fuel poverty. However, as Emma Williams points out, achieving long-term sustainability in retrofit will require more than one-off grants. Future-proofing the housing sector will depend on financial innovation, such as blended finance models, private investment, and scalable retrofit delivery.

As the UK works towards its Net Zero by 2050 target, fintech and proptech solutions—like those pioneered by Sero—will play a crucial role in bridging the funding gap and ensuring retrofit programmes can continue beyond government grants.

Read the full UK government announcement on the Warm Homes funding here.

For more information on Sero’s work in sustainable housing, visit Sero’s website.