Boiler Upgrade Scheme Eligibility Explained 2026

Who qualifies, what you get, and how to access the £7,500 grant

This guide explains everything clearly so you can make an informed decision about whether a heat pump is right for your home or business.

What is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a UK government initiative designed to help property owners move away from fossil fuel heating systems such as gas, oil and LPG.

It provides a grant of £7,500 towards the installation of a heat pump. This is paid directly to the installer, so you do not need to handle the claim yourself.

At Central Plumbing and Heating, we manage the full process on your behalf. From initial survey through to application and installation, everything is handled properly and professionally.

Who is eligible for the grant?

Any property that has a fossil fuel heating system, typically one of the following:

• Gas boiler
• Oil boiler
• LPG system

• Electric heaters/storage heaters

Your property must also have a valid EPC. The property does not require major insulation upgrades such as cavity wall or loft insulation before installation, but we can give recommendations.

Self-build new builds are eligible. If you are having a property built or even building one yourself, you can apply for the BUS grant, you will just need to provide the relevant evidence (new builds built by property developers are not eligible).

Another key requirement is that the system must be installed by an MCS certified company. This ensures the system is designed and installed to a recognised standard, which is essential for both performance and grant eligibility. 

Who the scheme does not apply to

There are some situations where the grant cannot be used.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is not available if you are a property developer installing heating systems in new builds. It is also not available if you are replacing an existing heat pump system.

What does it actually cost and is it really 0% VAT?

This is where things have changed significantly in recent years.

With the £7,500 grant applied, heat pump systems are now far more accessible than people expect. At Central Plumbing and Heating, systems start from £2,979 after the grant has been deducted. In 2022 the government announced there would be a 5 year period where heat pumps and other energy saving devices will be 0% VAT.

We take care of the application process, so the grant is applied directly and there is no complicated paperwork for you to manage.

For many homeowners, this means the cost of moving to a heat pump is now comparable to replacing a traditional boiler, especially when long term efficiency and running costs are considered.

Why more people are making the switch

We are seeing a clear increase in demand across Lincolnshire, and it is not just driven by environmental concerns.

Modern heat pumps are highly efficient systems that, when designed and installed correctly, can deliver performance levels of over 300 to 400 percent efficiency. This means they produce significantly more heat energy than the electrical energy they consume.

Alongside this, homeowners are becoming more aware of the long term benefits. These include reduced reliance on volatile energy prices, lower running costs over time, and a heating system that is aligned with future regulations and standards.

How we approach it

At Central Plumbing and Heating, we do not take a one size fits all approach.

Every project starts with a proper assessment of your property. We carry out a full heat loss survey to understand exactly what your home needs. This allows us to design a system that works efficiently and reliably in real world conditions.

From there, we handle the grant application, design the system, and carry out the installation with our fully qualified team.

Understand how we find out if a heat pump is right for your home here.

Honest advice comes first

The most important thing to understand is that not every property is suited to a heat pump.

If we believe a heat pump is not the right solution for your home or business, we will tell you. Our priority is always to recommend the system that will perform best for you, not simply to install a particular technology.

Read about a recent customers experience of switching to a heat pump.

Ready to find out if you qualify

If you are considering upgrading your heating system, there has never been a better time to explore your options.

With the Boiler Upgrade Scheme offering £7,500 towards installation and systems starting from £2,979, the move to a heat pump is now far more achievable.

Get in touch with our team to arrange a free heat loss survey and a straightforward conversation about what will work best for your property.

☎️ 01522 535335 | 📧 admin@centralplumbers.co.uk