Starting 21 July, over 200,000 UK households in England and Wales can access an enhanced £9,000 grant under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, a 20% increase from the previous £7,500. This boost aims to help rural families transition from heating oil to more efficient, low-carbon heat pumps.
Transitioning to electric heating reduces reliance on volatile fossil fuel prices and offers households greater stability in their energy bills. Leaflets with detailed instructions on how to claim the upgraded grant will be delivered to eligible homes this week, the government announced.
Minister for Energy Consumers Martin McCluskey emphasized the importance of this initiative amid rising fuel costs, especially for those using heating oil. “We’ve already committed over £50 million in support for vulnerable customers on heating oil,” he said. “The Boiler Upgrade Scheme will now help thousands of families across England and Wales switch to clean, renewable heat and protect them from fossil fuel price fluctuations.”
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Charlotte Lee, CEO of the Heat Pump Association UK, highlighted how the £1,500 increase makes heat pump adoption more affordable. “This uplift will shield many oil-heated households from price uncertainty, offering long-term savings by utilizing home-grown electricity,” Lee noted.
Ian Rippin, CEO of MCS, welcomed the grant increase as a key step toward making heat pumps accessible to rural households. He added, “As the UK’s quality mark for small-scale renewables, MCS ensures customers receive reliable installations and products, providing peace of mind for their investment.”
Households interested in switching to a heat pump using the Boiler Upgrade Scheme can find certified installers through MCS’s online tool, helping them make a safe and informed transition to cleaner heating.