All you need to know about the Boiler Upgrade Scheme

What funding is available through the scheme? 

Under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you can get one grant per property. The value of the grant depends on the type of property and heating system being replaced. Eligible homeowners can currently receive up to £7,500 towards the installation of a heat pump, while some off-gas-grid properties replacing oil or LPG heating systems may be eligible for an increased grant of up to £9,000. The grant is applied for by an installer on your behalf and is deducted from the total cost of the installation.  

You’re entitled to claim for the following:  

• £7,500 towards an air source heat pump
• £7,500 towards a ground source heat pump (including water source heat pumps and those on shared ground loops) 
• Up to £9,000 towards an eligible heat pump installation in qualifying off-gas-grid properties replacing oil or LPG heating systems 

The increased £9,000 grant is currently available only for certain eligible off-gas-grid properties replacing oil or LPG heating systems. Your installer will be able to confirm the grant available for your property and support you through the application process 

The system you choose to install must meet certain standards. To be eligible for the grant, it must have a seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP) of at least 2.8 and its maximum capacity must be less than 45kWth.  

How can you apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?

Applications for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme have been open since May 2022 and the scheme is currently due to run until 2028, giving homeowners and businesses continued access to funding for low-carbon heating technologies. It will run until 2028. Initially, the scheme was running until 2025, but this has recently been extended to 2028, so you have plenty of time to make the most of the grants and make the switch to a heat pump.  

Am I eligible? 

In order to be eligible for a grant, you must meet the following criteria: 

• Live in England or Wales 
• Own the property you’re applying for (including if it’s a business, a second home or a property you rent out to tenants) 
• Have installed your new heating system on or after the 1st of April 2022 
• Be replacing fossil fuel heating systems (such as oil, gas or electric) 

You’re also still able to apply for a grant if you have already received funding previously to make your property more energy efficient. For example, if you have received a grant for insulating your home. 

In terms of your property, there are some additional requirements that you’ll need to consider. This includes having a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with no recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation: Find out what to do if your property has recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation here.

You also won’t be able to get funding for: 

• The majority of new build properties unless you are self-building and you are the original owner or you have recently moved into a new build which has fossil fuel heating.
• Social housing 
• A property that’s already been given government funding for a heat pump or biomass boiler 
• New build properties which the developer is still building 
• Replacing a low carbon heating system.

If you own a self-built property, then you’ll need to ensure that you or the original owner built the property or paid a builder to do so. It must have also never been owned by a business or organisation. In all cases, you’ll need to show proof to your installer before applying for a grant. 

You can find out more information about Boiler Upgrade Scheme eligibility on the government website.