Could your home qualify for a Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant?
Possibly. Eligibility depends on your property, existing heating system and the proposed heat pump meeting the Boiler Upgrade Scheme’s current rules, which we’ll check during an assessment before explaining the grant application process.
There is no single type of home that qualifies. An existing property with an oil, LPG, gas or electric-resistance heating system may be eligible if it meets the Boiler Upgrade Scheme rules and can take a suitable air source heat pump.
Eligibility depends on more than the age of the boiler. We look at the property, the heating system and the proposed installation together.
- The property must meet the scheme’s location and ownership rules. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme applies to eligible properties in England and Wales. Homeowners and landlords may qualify, subject to the current conditions.
- An existing heating system must be replaced. The scheme is intended to support a move away from fossil-fuel heating or electric-resistance heating. A heat pump installed simply as an additional system may not meet the rules.
- The property needs a suitable EPC. Outstanding recommendations for certain insulation measures can affect eligibility. We check the EPC early so you know if remedial work is needed before an application can proceed.
- The proposed heat pump must meet the technical requirements. Its size, performance and installation must be suitable for the property and compliant with the scheme rules.
- The installation must be completed through an approved route. We handle the grant paperwork as part of the installation process, rather than leaving you to work out which documents are needed.
An older or rural home is not automatically excluded. Solid walls, a barn conversion, an oil boiler or an LPG system may all be workable. They can, however, change the amount of preparation required and the likely cost of the complete project.
Your existing radiators may be too small to heat the rooms effectively at the lower flow temperatures used by a heat pump. We assess radiator sizes, pipework, hot-water storage, insulation and the heat loss from each part of the building. You then receive a recommendation based on the heat your home actually needs, rather than a rough comparison with the old boiler.
The outdoor unit also needs a practical location. We consider noise, airflow, access for maintenance, the route for refrigerant and electrical cables, and the position of the hot-water cylinder and controls. Planning requirements can vary with the building and its setting. Listed buildings, conservation areas and unusual external layouts may need further checks before work starts.
Your electrical supply may need attention if the existing consumer unit or incoming supply cannot support the new equipment. If the installation needs electrical alterations, we identify those in the quotation instead of treating them as an unexpected extra later.
The grant does not normally pay for every part of a heat pump project. You remain responsible for the balance of the quoted work, which can include the heat pump, cylinder, radiator changes, pipework, insulation improvements, electrical alterations and making good. We set out what the funding contributes and what you would pay before you decide.
Funding cannot be assumed simply because a property appears suitable. Other public funding attached to the home or heating system may affect eligibility, and the rules can change. We check the position when we assess the project and explain any restriction that applies.
The usual assessment starts with the building and its current heating arrangements. We review the EPC, fuel type, boiler or heater, cylinder position, radiators, pipe routes, electrical supply and possible outdoor-unit locations. We can then explain:
- whether the property appears to meet the scheme conditions;
- what work may be needed before the heat pump can be installed;
- which costs are likely to fall outside the grant;
- how the proposed system would heat the rooms and hot water; and
- what information is still needed before an application can be made.
Do not arrange installation before the grant process is properly in place. The application and approval steps need to follow the scheme rules, and changing the heating system first can put funding at risk.
A suitable survey gives you a clearer answer than a postcode check or a grant calculator. If the home is not suitable, or if the required upgrades make the project impractical, we explain that before you commit to the work. If it is suitable, the written quotation separates the grant from the remaining cost and shows the work needed to deliver the complete heating system.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme funding isn’t a cash payment you claim after buying a heat pump. It is applied through the approved installation route and reflected in the written quotation, subject to the application being accepted.
That means the design needs to be agreed before work begins. We confirm the proposed system, check the property against the current scheme conditions and set out the grant contribution separately from the remaining project cost. You can then make an informed decision before committing to installation.