Boiler Upgrade Scheme eligibility rules explained
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is the main government grant available to homeowners in England and Wales who want to install a heat pump. It offers up to £7,500 towards the cost of an air source heat pump installation. But the scheme has specific eligibility rules, and not every property or situation will qualify. This article sets out the key requirements clearly so you know what to expect before you start the process.
Check if your home may qualify for the £7,500 heat pump grant using our quick 2-minute eligibility checker.
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To qualify for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme your property must be in England or Wales, you must own it, it must have a valid EPC with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation, and the installation must be carried out by an MCS-certified installer. The grant is applied by the installer on your behalf — you do not apply directly to the government.
Important: Eligibility rules can change. This article reflects the scheme as it stood in early 2026. Final eligibility must always be confirmed by an MCS-certified installer who can assess your specific property.
Who administers the scheme
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is administered by Ofgem on behalf of the UK Government. It was introduced as part of the government's plan to reduce reliance on fossil fuel heating and increase the uptake of low-carbon alternatives. The scheme runs until March 2028 under current policy, though this could be extended or modified.
Importantly, you do not apply for the grant yourself. Your MCS-certified installer applies to Ofgem on your behalf after the installation is complete. The grant amount is deducted from your installation bill, so you pay less upfront rather than receiving a payment after the fact.
The core eligibility requirements
Property location
The property must be in England or Wales. Scotland has a separate scheme — the Home Energy Scotland grant — with different rules and amounts. Northern Ireland is not currently covered by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
Property ownership
You must own the property where the heat pump is being installed. The scheme is not available to renters. If you own a property that is currently tenanted, the rules are more complicated and you would need to speak directly to an installer about your specific situation.
Valid Energy Performance Certificate
The property must have a valid EPC — one that was issued within the last ten years. The EPC does not need to show a specific rating, but it must not contain outstanding recommendations to install loft insulation or cavity wall insulation that have not yet been carried out.
If your EPC does have those recommendations, there are two ways to address it. You can have the insulation work done before the grant application is made, or an installer can obtain evidence that the insulation measures are not suitable for your property — for example because your walls are solid rather than cavity, or because your loft is already adequately insulated but the EPC recommendation has not been updated.
Existing heating system
The scheme is intended to replace fossil fuel heating systems. To be eligible, your current heating system should be one of the following:
- Gas boiler
- Oil boiler
- LPG boiler
- Electric storage heaters or direct electric heating
Properties that already have a heat pump installed do not qualify unless the existing system has reached the end of its working life and the new installation represents a genuine replacement.
MCS-certified installer
The installation must be carried out by an installer who holds MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) certification. You cannot use an uncertified installer and still claim the grant. Your installer is responsible for checking your property's eligibility, applying to Ofgem, and ensuring the installation meets the required standards.
What the grant covers
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme currently offers the following grant amounts:
| Technology | Grant amount |
|---|---|
| Air source heat pump | Up to £7,500 |
| Ground source heat pump | Up to £7,500 |
| Biomass boiler (limited eligibility) | Up to £5,000 |
The grant applies to the cost of the heat pump unit and installation labour. It does not cover additional work such as upgrading radiators, replacing pipework, or installing a hot water cylinder, though these may be necessary for a successful installation.
Practical examples
Homeowner with a gas boiler and D-rated EPC, no outstanding insulation recommendations
This is a common scenario and one that is generally straightforward. The property is in England, the owner has a gas boiler being replaced, and the EPC has no open insulation recommendations. An MCS-certified installer would assess suitability in detail and, if the property is suitable, apply for the grant on the owner's behalf after installation.
Homeowner with an oil boiler in a rural property, E-rated EPC
Rural properties on oil heating are often well suited to heat pumps and the scheme covers them. An E rating does not disqualify the property. The installer would check the EPC for outstanding insulation recommendations and assess whether the property's heat loss profile is compatible with a heat pump system.
Homeowner whose EPC recommends cavity wall insulation
This is the most common complication. If the EPC contains an open recommendation for cavity wall insulation, the installer cannot proceed with the grant application until that is resolved. Options include having the insulation carried out, or obtaining a surveyor's report confirming the walls are not suitable for cavity fill. Solid-walled properties — common in pre-1920 homes — are not eligible for cavity wall insulation by definition, so installers can usually resolve this with supporting evidence.
When a property may not qualify
Some situations make grant eligibility difficult or impossible under the current scheme rules:
- The property is in Scotland or Northern Ireland
- You rent rather than own the property
- There is no valid EPC or the EPC is more than ten years old
- The property already has a functioning heat pump
- Outstanding insulation recommendations cannot be resolved
- No MCS-certified installer is willing to take on the job — which can sometimes occur with unusual or complex properties
None of these situations are necessarily permanent. An outdated EPC can be renewed. Insulation work can be completed. If you are unsure about your situation, the best starting point is a conversation with an MCS-certified installer who can give you a property-specific view.
How to take the next step
If your property is in England or Wales, you own it, and you are replacing a fossil fuel heating system, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is worth exploring. The process starts with checking whether your EPC has any outstanding insulation recommendations and then speaking to a local MCS-certified installer who can carry out a no-obligation assessment.
You can find your current EPC free of charge on the government's register at find-energy-certificate.service.gov.uk.
Not sure whether your home might qualify? Use our free 2-minute eligibility checker to get an initial indication. There is no obligation to continue.
Check my eligibilitySummary
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is available to homeowners in England and Wales who are replacing a fossil fuel heating system with a heat pump, have a valid EPC with no outstanding loft or cavity wall insulation recommendations, and use an MCS-certified installer. The grant of up to £7,500 is applied by the installer and deducted from your installation cost — you do not need to claim it yourself.
Final eligibility must always be confirmed by a qualified installer who can assess your specific property. No online guide or checker can guarantee that your home will qualify.