This guide is for homeowners in England and Wales who want grant support for a heat pump. It explains the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, the current grant values and the steps to claim. It also shows how the grant works with the Warm Homes Loan Scheme. We use published sources from GOV.UK, the Energy Saving Trust, MCS and MoneySavingExpert.
Independent guide. We are not a lender or a government body. Always check current scheme rules with the official provider.
How the Boiler Upgrade Scheme works
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a government grant towards low-carbon heating. It covers heat pumps and biomass boilers in England and Wales. Your MCS-certified installer applies for the grant on your behalf. The grant then comes off the price you pay.
New grant values took effect on 21 July 2026. The table below lists every published value. The higher value applies when you replace oil or LPG heating in a home off the gas grid. Biomass boilers qualify in off-gas-grid homes only.
| Measure | Grant value |
|---|---|
| Air-to-water heat pump | £7,500 (£9,000 if replacing oil or LPG in an off-gas-grid home) |
| Ground source heat pump | £7,500 (£9,000 if replacing oil or LPG in an off-gas-grid home) |
| Air-to-air heat pump | £2,500 |
| Biomass boiler | £5,000 (off-gas-grid homes only) |
The scheme covers England and Wales only. Homeowners in Scotland should check official advice from Home Energy Scotland. Homeowners in Northern Ireland should check official advice from the Energy Saving Trust.
Steps to claim the grant
The installer handles the grant application, but you still have a part to play. Choosing the right installer is the most important step. Keep copies of every quote and document. Follow these steps in order.
- Confirm that your home is in England or Wales.
- Find two or three installers through the MCS installer search.
- Book a heat-loss survey with each installer.
- Ask each installer to confirm the grant value that applies to your home.
- Compare written quotes that show the price before and after the grant.
- Choose an installer and agree the grant application in writing.
- Keep your contract, certificates and grant confirmation safe.
Combining the grant with a loan
The Warm Homes Loan Scheme sets maximum loans for heating measures. The maximum is £20,000 for an air-to-water heat pump and £10,000 for air-to-air. It is £35,000 for a ground source heat pump and £20,000 for a biomass boiler. You can combine the loan with the grant.
The grant reduces the price first, so you borrow only the balance. A smaller loan means a lower total cost of credit. Three details are not yet confirmed. The Government has not published the eligibility rules. It has not confirmed how or when you apply. Each lender has not yet published its rates.
Checklist
- Home confirmed in England or Wales
- Grant value for your measure checked
- Two or three MCS-certified installers contacted
- Written quotes show the grant deducted
- Grant application agreed in writing
- Any loan compared on total cost of credit
Frequently asked questions
How much is the heat pump grant?
It is £7,500 for an air-to-water or ground source heat pump, or £9,000 when you replace oil or LPG off the gas grid. Air-to-air receives £2,500.
Do I apply for the grant myself?
No. Your MCS-certified installer applies for the grant and takes it off your bill.
Can I get the grant in Scotland or Northern Ireland?
No. The scheme covers England and Wales only. Check official advice from Home Energy Scotland or the Energy Saving Trust.
Can I combine the grant with the Warm Homes Loan Scheme?
Yes. The grant lowers the price, so you borrow less.
Does a biomass boiler qualify?
Yes, in off-gas-grid homes only. The grant value is £5,000.
Can I apply for the loan now?
Not yet. The Government has not confirmed eligibility rules or how and when you apply.
So you can claim the right grant through a certified installer and borrow only what you need.
WHLS Editorial Team
Our editorial team writes independent, plain-English guides on home energy finance. We review guides when scheme rules change.
References
- GOV.UK – Notice of approved grant categories and values for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (opens in a new tab)
- Energy Saving Trust – Boiler Upgrade Scheme (opens in a new tab)
- MoneySavingExpert – Warm Homes Loan Scheme news (October 2026) (opens in a new tab)
- Financial Conduct Authority – Financial Services Register (opens in a new tab)
- MCS – Find an installer (opens in a new tab)
