Heat Pump Grants in the UK (2026): How to Get Up to £7,500 for Your Home

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is still the main route for most homeowners in England and Wales who want financial support for a heat pump. In 2026, the headline figure is clear: up to £7,500 off the cost and installation of an eligible heat pump, paid through a voucher that your installer redeems.

That number matters because it changes the feel of the decision. Heat pumps can be a serious investment, and a grant that large can take a meaningful chunk out of the upfront bill.

A quick reality check before you go any further. The scheme is designed to support low carbon heating, so it has rules about what you are replacing, what you are installing, and how the job is delivered. If you approach it with the right expectations, it is refreshingly straightforward.

What the Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers in 2026

The grant amount

For voucher applications that fall under the current rules, the scheme offers:

• £7,500 for an air source heat pump
• £7,500 for a ground source heat pump, including water source heat pumps in the same category
• A separate voucher option exists for biomass boilers, though it has extra restrictions and is not the focus of this guide

The voucher is applied to your quote by the installer, then reclaimed by them after commissioning. You do not receive the money into your bank account, which often makes the process simpler.

The scheme's purpose, and why it has boundaries

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is built to accelerate the switch away from fossil fuel heating, so eligibility is tied to replacing systems like gas, oil, or LPG. The rules also steer the scheme away from new build properties that should already be meeting modern standards, and away from cases where other public funding is already paying for the same upgrade.

Eligibility in 2026, who the scheme is built for

Eligibility is easiest to think about in four buckets: location, property type, what you heat with now, and paperwork.

1) Location

The scheme covers England and Wales.

2) Property and ownership

Your property needs to be a home, or a small or medium non domestic building. Homeowners can apply, and private landlords can also use the scheme for qualifying rental properties.

Some categories are excluded, including new build homes and most social housing situations. If you are unsure where your property sits, the installer usually confirms eligibility early, since they are the one submitting the voucher.

3) Your existing heating system

The scheme is designed for homes currently heated by fossil fuel systems. If your home already has a low carbon heating system in place, replacing it with another low carbon system is generally outside the scope of the grant.

4) EPC and insulation rules you should know

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is typically required, and EPCs are valid for 10 years. Under the newer scheme rules, there are no mandatory minimum insulation requirements for applications properly made after the relevant rule change, though an EPC may still include insulation recommendations.

That does not mean insulation is irrelevant. A heat pump performs best in a home that can hold onto heat, so the practical question becomes: Do you want the lowest running costs and the most comfortable rooms, or do you want to run the system harder than it needs to? Many households still choose targeted fabric upgrades because they pay back through comfort as much as through bills.

What types of heat pumps are covered

The scheme focuses on air source and ground source heat pumps.

Air source heat pumps

An air source heat pump extracts heat from the outside air and upgrades it to a useful temperature for your heating and hot water. It is the most common route for typical homes because installation is usually faster and requires less ground work.

Air source systems tend to suit properties where:

• There is space outside for an outdoor unit
• Radiators can operate effectively at lower flow temperatures, or can be upgraded where needed
• Hot water is provided through a compatible cylinder

Ground source heat pumps

A ground source heat pump draws heat from the ground through pipework, often laid in trenches or boreholes. It can deliver very stable performance, and it can be a strong option where you have the land and the budget for ground works.

Ground source systems tend to suit properties where:

• There is enough land for ground loops, or boreholes are feasible
• You want a long term system with steady seasonal efficiency
• You can accommodate the installation complexity

Systems that are commonly misunderstood

The scheme has clear exclusions, and one of the big ones is hybrid heat pump systems that combine a heat pump with a gas boiler. If your plan involves keeping a boiler in the mix, confirm the eligibility route before you design the project around a grant you cannot use.

How the application works in England and Wales

The most important practical detail is also the one that surprises people. You do not apply directly as the homeowner. Your MCS certified installer applies on your behalf, because the grant is tied to verified installation standards and post installation evidence.

Step by step, what you can expect

1. Choose an MCS certified installer and get a survey

They assess your home, heat demand, emitter suitability, hot water needs, and space for equipment.

2. Agree a quote that shows the voucher discount clearly

Many installers show the total cost, then subtract the £7,500 voucher as a line item, so you can see exactly what you pay.

3. Installer submits the voucher application

This is handled through the scheme administrator, and you will be asked to confirm key details.

4. Voucher is issued, then the installation goes ahead

Voucher validity periods matter. Air source heat pump vouchers are typically valid for a shorter period than ground source vouchers, reflecting typical installation timelines.

5. Commissioning and evidence, then voucher redemption

After commissioning, the installer submits the required documentation and redeems the voucher.

Expected timelines, planning without stress

Timelines vary by installer capacity, supply chain, and how much upgrading your home needs. Still, you can plan around a few practical realities.

• Surveys and design can take weeks, longer during busy seasons
• Air source installations are often the faster route once you are scheduled
• Ground source projects often run longer because of ground works and coordination

The best way to avoid delays is to treat the survey as a real design stage rather than a formality. If the system is sized correctly and the emitter plan is clear, everything downstream becomes easier.

Which property types tend to be suitable

A heat pump can work in a wide range of UK homes, yet suitability is rarely a yes or no question. It is usually about how many boxes you can tick, and which boxes you can improve without overspending.

Homes that often suit heat pumps well

• Properties with decent insulation and manageable heat loss
• Homes with space for a hot water cylinder, or an existing cylinder that can be upgraded
• Houses with room for larger radiators, or homes using underfloor heating systems

Underfloor heating is often discussed because it can run at lower temperatures, which helps efficiency. If you are sourcing components, a supplier such as The Floor Heating Warehouse can be part of the procurement plan, though the heating design still needs to match your home's heat loss and layout.

Homes that need a more careful approach

• Older solid wall properties with high heat loss
• Very small homes where hot water cylinder space is tight
• Flats where outdoor unit placement and permissions are complex

A careful approach does not mean a dead end. It means you may need a staged plan, such as fabric improvements first, then the heating system.

Off gas grid homes, where the numbers can change quickly

Off gas grid households often heat with oil or LPG, and running costs can be volatile. For many of these homes, a heat pump can bring greater control over bills, especially when paired with sensible insulation and heating controls.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme does not offer a higher heat pump voucher specifically for off gas grid homes, yet the overall economics can still be stronger because the alternative fuels are often expensive.

There is also a separate point worth knowing. Biomass boiler support under the scheme is typically limited to rural, off gas grid properties, which is one reason off gas grid homeowners should explore options carefully during the survey stage.

If your home is off the gas grid, ask a direct question early on: What will my heat pump running costs look like compared with oil or LPG, using my real heat demand rather than a generic estimate? A good installer will be able to walk you through assumptions and sensitivities.

Alternatives and complements to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is not the only source of help across the UK.

• Scotland has its own support routes, often structured around grants and loans, with extra support available for qualifying rural homes
• Local authority or regional schemes sometimes appear, especially where there are broader home upgrade programmes
• Energy efficiency upgrades such as insulation may be supported through separate programmes, since the Boiler Upgrade Scheme itself focuses on the heating system

If you have already received public funding for a heat pump through another scheme, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme usually cannot be stacked on top for the same measure. Check this before you sign contracts.

A practical checklist before you commit

Use this as a calm, no drama way to sanity check the project.

• Your property is in England or Wales
• You have a valid EPC, or you plan to get one
• You are replacing a fossil fuel heating system
• You are working with an MCS certified installer who will apply for the voucher
• You understand what upgrades, if any, your home needs for good low temperature heating
• The quote shows the £7,500 voucher clearly and explains what is included

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant myself?

No. The voucher application is made by an MCS certified installer on behalf of the property owner, and you typically confirm key details as part of the process.

Do I need an EPC, and does my home need specific insulation levels?

A valid EPC is usually required, and EPCs are valid for 10 years. Current rules removed mandatory minimum insulation requirements for newer applications, though insulation still affects comfort and running costs in the real world.

How much is the heat pump grant in 2026?

For eligible installations under the scheme in England and Wales, the voucher provides £7,500 towards an air source or ground source heat pump.

Are new build homes eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?

New build homes are generally not eligible under the scheme rules, since they are expected to meet modern efficiency and low carbon standards through other routes.

What is the first step if my home is off the gas grid?

Start with a heat loss and system survey from an MCS certified installer, then ask for a comparison between your current fuel costs and projected heat pump running costs using your actual usage where possible.

Where to go from here

A £7,500 voucher can move a heat pump from "maybe one day" to "this could work this year", yet the best outcomes still come from good design choices. Understanding real heat pump costs helps set realistic expectations, while heat loss, emitter sizing, hot water planning, and installer competence are the difference between a system that quietly delivers comfort and one that feels like a compromise.

Before committing to any major investment, consider whether switching to a heat pump in 2025 aligns with your specific circumstances and timeline. If you want to pursue the grant, book a survey with an MCS certified installer, ask for a quote that itemises the voucher clearly, then map out any supporting upgrades that will help your home hold onto heat. The sooner you start the survey and design stage, the sooner you can lock in an installation slot and start cutting both emissions and long term heating costs.