The Government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme has been expanded, potentially allowing more eligible people to receive grants towards the cost of a heat pump. The scheme, available in England and Wales, enables people to replace their existing fossil fuel heating systems with more efficient, low-carbon alternatives, which could help reduce energy bills.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides up to £7,500 towards the installation of an air source heat pump or a ground source heat pump, while grants of £5,000 are available for biomass boilers. The scheme was also broadened on Tuesday to include up to £2,500 of discounts on installing an air-to-air heat pump, which can provide both heating in winter and cooling in summer.
Minister for Energy Consumers Martin McCluskey explained: « Air-to-air heat pumps offer the best of both worlds – keeping you warm in winter while cooling you down when summer comes along.
« With heat pumps more popular than ever, we want to make sure as many people as possible can benefit, especially those in flats or small homes without central heating, so they have greater choice when upgrading their property. We are also offering discounts for heat batteries and consulting on the role innovative, clean heating solutions can play, including thermal storage, infrared panels and renewable fuels. »
Numerous homeowners and small businesses can access these grants, which are part of the Government’s £13.2 billion Warm Homes Plan, aimed at reducing bills for five million families. However, it’s vital to meet certain criteria to be eligible.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, this generally includes several key points for heat pump grants:
- You must own your property (business or home)
- You must currently have a fossil fuel heating system, like a gas boiler, or an electric heating system without a heat pump
- You must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate issued within the last 10 years
- Have a property with a maximum installation capacity of up to 45kWth (kilowatt-thermal), suitable for most homes
Meanwhile, the specific criteria required for biomass boilers include:
- Your property is off the gas grid
- Your property is in a rural location (check the Ofgem guidance for property owners if you’re not sure)
- Your boiler has an emissions certificate showing that polluting emissions are kept to a minimum
Properties generally ineligible for grants under this scheme include most new builds, social housing, and those that have already received funding for a heat pump or biomass boiler.
If you’re interested in applying, the Government recommends contacting an MCS-certified installer for a quote. Once agreed, the installer can apply for a grant on your behalf via the Ofgem website.
The value of the grant will then be taken off the amount you pay for installation. Office advice from the Government adds: « Ofgem will contact you to confirm that the installer is acting on your behalf. They might also contact you by phone or visit your property in order to check the installation. MCS might contact you to carry out their own checks. »
For more information on how to apply, visit GOV.UK.
