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Can I Still Get a Heat Pump Grant? The Boiler Upgrade Scheme in 2026
Yes. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is still available in 2026, and for many homeowners it can remove a substantial part of the upfront cost of replacing an existing heating system with a heat pump.
The standard grant for an eligible air-to-water heat pump is £7,500. Certain homes that are off the mains gas grid and currently heated by oil or LPG can receive £9,000 until 31 March 2027. Air-to-air heat pumps are also included within the scheme, with a lower grant available.
The important thing is that the grant is not something you normally apply for yourself. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is installer-led, so your chosen MCS-certified installer checks the installation, submits the application and applies the grant as a discount against the cost of the work.
How much is the heat pump grant in 2026?
The current Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant amounts include:
£7,500 for an eligible air-to-water heat pump
£7,500 for an eligible ground source heat pump
£2,500 for an eligible air-to-air heat pump
£5,000 for an eligible biomass boiler
£9,000 for eligible off-gas-grid homes replacing oil or LPG heating with a qualifying heat pump until 31 March 2027
For homeowners considering an air source heat pump, the grant can make a substantial difference to the initial installation cost.
If you are still weighing up whether this type of system is right for your property, Puraflow’s heat pump installation guide explains how heat pumps work, what installation involves and the main factors that affect suitability.
Who can qualify for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
The scheme is available for eligible properties in England and Wales.
In general, you need to own the property and be replacing an existing fossil-fuel or qualifying electric heating system.
This can include homeowners, landlords, second-home owners and some eligible business-owned properties.
The property and proposed installation still need to meet the scheme requirements, so eligibility should be considered alongside whether the home itself is suitable for a heat pump.
Do I still need an EPC?
A valid Energy Performance Certificate is no longer a standing requirement for every Boiler Upgrade Scheme application.
That removes one of the administrative hurdles that previously formed part of the process.
The more important practical question is whether the property itself can support an efficient heat pump installation.
That normally means looking at:
heat loss
insulation
glazing
radiator or emitter sizing
hot-water demand
available outdoor space
the existing heating system
the proposed flow temperature
Do I apply for the grant myself?
No. The process is normally handled through the installer.
The typical route is:
Speak to an MCS-certified installer.
Have the property assessed.
Receive a system design and quotation.
Confirm whether the proposed installation meets the scheme requirements.
The installer submits the Boiler Upgrade Scheme application.
The grant is applied against the installation cost.
This means the scheme is designed to reduce the amount you pay for the installation rather than operate as a reimbursement you claim afterwards.
Why does an MCS-certified installer matter?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme requires eligible installations to be completed through the appropriate certified route.
This matters because heat pumps need to be designed around the property rather than selected purely from a headline kW rating.
A proper assessment should consider the actual heating demand of the home.
Puraflow’s guide to air source heat pump sizing explains why floor area alone is not enough and why room-by-room heat loss, radiator output and flow temperature all matter when selecting a system.
Is every home suitable for a heat pump?
Not every property will need the same system or the same level of work before installation.
A suitable heat pump design depends on factors such as:
the heat loss of the property
insulation levels
window performance
radiator or underfloor heating capacity
available outdoor space
hot-water requirements
the existing heating system
how the household uses heating
Older homes can still be suitable, but some may benefit from insulation improvements, radiator changes or other upgrades before installation.
This is why the grant should be treated as part of the decision rather than the whole decision.
The first question should still be whether the property can run a heat pump effectively.
Can I get £9,000 instead of £7,500?
Potentially.
Eligible off-gas-grid homes replacing oil or LPG heating can receive an enhanced grant of £9,000 for a qualifying heat pump until 31 March 2027.
This is particularly relevant for rural properties where oil or LPG has traditionally been used because mains gas is not available.
For those households, the enhanced grant can reduce the upfront cost significantly.
What about air-to-air heat pumps?
Air-to-air heat pumps are also included within the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for eligible installations.
These systems work differently from the air-to-water heat pumps commonly used for central heating and hot water, so whether one is appropriate depends on the property and the type of heating required.
For most homeowners looking to replace a conventional wet central-heating system, an air-to-water heat pump will usually be the more directly comparable option.
How long is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme available?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is continuing beyond 2026, so support for heat-pump installations is not due to disappear immediately.
However, grant values and specific enhanced incentives can change over time.
The £9,000 uplift for qualifying oil and LPG properties is currently scheduled to run until 31 March 2027.
That makes it worthwhile for eligible homeowners to assess their property and installation options while the enhanced support remains available.
How much does a heat pump cost after the grant?
The final cost varies considerably because no two properties require exactly the same installation.
The price can be affected by:
the size and heat loss of the home
heat pump model
radiator upgrades
pipework changes
hot-water cylinder requirements
electrical work
insulation improvements
outdoor unit positioning
access and installation complexity
This is why a property-specific survey is more useful than relying on a generic national installation price.
A straightforward installation in a well-prepared home may require much less additional work than an older property where radiators, pipework or insulation need attention.
Will I need to replace all my radiators?
Not necessarily.
Each radiator should be checked against the heat requirement of the room and the temperature at which the new system will operate.
Heat pumps commonly work at lower flow temperatures than traditional boilers, so some existing radiators may need to be larger to provide the same amount of heat.
Others may already be suitable.
The heat pump and the emitters should be designed together rather than assuming every radiator needs replacement.
Do I need a hot-water cylinder?
In most air-to-water heat pump installations, yes.
Unlike a combi boiler that can heat hot water instantly, a heat pump normally works with stored hot water.
Puraflow’s guide to air source heat pumps and hot-water cylinders explains why the cylinder is usually required and how it fits into the overall system.
Can solar panels or battery storage work with a heat pump?
Yes.
A heat pump can form part of a wider home-energy system alongside solar PV and battery storage.
Solar panels can generate electricity during the day, while a battery can store electricity for later use or charge from the grid during cheaper tariff periods.
For homeowners considering a wider upgrade, Puraflow’s guide to whether solar panels are worth it explains current solar savings and payback, while the guide to whether a home battery is worth it covers battery costs, lifespan and common use cases.
These technologies do not need to be installed together, but looking at the home as one connected energy system can help with longer-term planning.
Is the heat pump grant worth using?
For an eligible household already considering a heat pump, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme can reduce a substantial part of the upfront cost.
The grant should not be the only reason to install one, though.
The more important question is whether the system is suitable for the property and whether it can be designed around the home’s actual heating requirements.
A properly sized and designed system gives you a much clearer basis for deciding whether the grant and installation make sense.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant in 2026?
The standard grant is £7,500 for an eligible air-to-water or ground source heat pump. Eligible off-gas-grid homes replacing oil or LPG heating may receive £9,000 until 31 March 2027.
Do I need an EPC for the heat pump grant?
A valid EPC is no longer a standing requirement for every Boiler Upgrade Scheme application.
Can landlords use the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
Yes, landlords may be eligible provided the property and installation meet the scheme requirements.
Can I apply directly for the grant?
The scheme is installer-led. Your MCS-certified installer normally handles the application as part of the installation process.
Can I replace an existing heat pump using the grant?
The scheme is primarily designed to support eligible homes moving away from fossil-fuel or qualifying electric heating systems rather than simply replacing one existing low-carbon heat pump with another.
Thinking about a heat pump?
If you are considering replacing your current heating system, the best starting point is to establish whether the property is suitable and what size and type of system it actually needs.
Puraflow Renewables provides air source heat pump installation and can assess the property, existing heating system and heat demand before recommending the appropriate next step.
A proper assessment gives you a clearer picture of both the installation requirements and the grant support available to you.
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