The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers £7,500 off a heat pump in 2026 – here is who qualifies
If you are looking at heat pump grants in the UK for 2026, the main option is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). This government programme provides a flat £7,500 grant for both air-source and ground-source heat pumps in England and Wales (GOV.UK Boiler Upgrade Scheme, 2026). No other UK-wide cash grants exist for heat pumps in 2026.
The grant is deducted from the installer’s quote at the point of sale. You do not receive the money yourself. The installer claims the £7,500 from the scheme administrator after you have agreed to the installation, and you pay only the remaining balance.
Quick numbers heat pump grant amounts, installation costs, and savings in 2026
The table below shows the main grant options, typical installation costs, and estimated annual savings compared to a gas boiler. Installation costs vary widely by property size and system complexity.
| Grant name | Grant amount (£) | Typical total cost (£) | Annual saving vs gas boiler (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BUS air-source heat pump | 7,500 | 9,000 – 15,000 | 200 – 400 |
| BUS ground-source heat pump | 7,500 | 14,000 – 25,000 | 300 – 500 |
| ECO4 heat pump (low-income households) | Full or partial cost covered | 0 – 5,000 | 200 – 400 |
| Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund | Varies by project | Not applicable to homeowners | N/A |
Source data: Energy Saving Trust heat pump cost report (Energy Saving Trust, 2026), OFGEM ECO4 guidance (OFGEM, 2026), and DESNZ BUS data (GOV.UK, 2026).
You must own your home and replace an existing fossil-fuel heating system to get the grant
The BUS grant is available only to homeowner-occupiers and self-builders in England and Wales. Landlords are not eligible (GOV.UK BUS eligibility, 2026). The property must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation.
The heat pump must replace an existing gas, oil, LPG, or electric heating system. New-build homes are not eligible for the grant. If your property already has a heat pump, you cannot claim the grant for a replacement.
The direct answer yes, you can get a heat pump grant in 2026 if you meet these three conditions
You can get a heat pump grant in 2026 if you meet all three conditions below. The DESNZ eligibility checklist confirms these requirements (GOV.UK BUS eligibility checklist, 2026).
- Condition 1: You own your home (or are a self-builder) in England or Wales.
- Condition 2: Your property has a valid EPC with no outstanding insulation recommendations for loft or cavity walls.
- Condition 3: You are replacing an existing fossil-fuel heating system with an MCS-certified heat pump installed by an MCS-registered installer.
If you meet these three conditions, you qualify for the £7,500 BUS grant. If you miss any one of them, you cannot claim the grant through this scheme.
Other 2026 grants – ECO4 and the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund – but they are not for most homeowners
Two other government-backed programmes provide heat pumps in 2026, but they are not cash grants you can apply for directly. ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation) provides free or subsidised heat pumps for low-income households in fuel poverty. Energy suppliers deliver the scheme, not the homeowner (OFGEM ECO4 guidance, 2026). You must be on a qualifying benefit and live in a property with an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G.
The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund is for social housing providers, not private homeowners (DESNZ Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, 2026). No other national heat pump grants exist in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland for 2026. Local authority schemes vary, so you should check with your council for any area-specific offers. local authority heat pump grants
How to verify your heat pump installer – MCS certification is mandatory for the grant
Only installations by an MCS-certified installer qualify for the BUS grant. You can check the MCS register at mcscertified.com (MCS register, 2026). The installer must also be registered with TrustMark for consumer protection (TrustMark, 2026).
For electrical work, the installer must be registered with NICEIC or NAPIT. This is separate from the heat pump certification. You should ask the installer for their registration numbers before agreeing to any work. how to choose a heat pump installer
Applying for the heat pump grant in 2026 – the installer handles it, but you must confirm eligibility
The installer applies for the BUS grant on your behalf after you agree to a quote. You do not submit the application yourself (GOV.UK BUS application process, 2026). You must provide your EPC number, property details, and confirmation that you are the homeowner.
The grant is paid to the installer, who deducts it from your final invoice. You pay the remaining balance. The installer cannot charge you for the application process itself.
What the grant does not cover – planning permission, heat loss calculations, and system upgrades
The BUS grant covers only the heat pump unit and installation. It does not cover any preparatory work like heat loss calculations, pipework upgrades, or new radiators (DESNZ BUS terms and conditions, 2026). These costs are your responsibility and can add £1,000 to £3,000 to the total bill.
Planning permission may be required for heat pumps in some conservation areas or listed buildings. This is your responsibility, not the installer’s. The grant is limited to one heat pump per property. You cannot claim for multiple units.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main heat pump grant in 2026 is £7,500 under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, as confirmed by GOV.UK. This applies to both air-source and ground-source heat pumps in England and Wales.
Homeowner-occupiers and self-builders in England and Wales qualify, provided they replace an existing fossil-fuel heating system. Landlords are not eligible, according to GOV.UK BUS eligibility guidance.
No, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is only for owner-occupiers in 2026. Renters may access heat pump support through ECO4 if their landlord participates, as per OFGEM rules.
Yes, your property must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate with no outstanding loft or cavity wall insulation recommendations to qualify for the BUS grant, per GOV.UK.
The £7,500 grant is deducted from the installer's quote at the point of sale. The installer claims the amount from the scheme administrator after you agree to the installation, and you pay the remaining balance.
In Wales, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme applies. Scotland has its own Home Energy Scotland grant and loan programme, which offers up to £7,500 for heat pumps. Check Energy Saving Trust for details.
