Table of Contents
- What is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and who qualifies
- Core eligibility criteria for the scheme
- EPC requirements for boiler grants
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant amount and what it covers
- MCS certified installer requirements
- Property types and heating systems covered
- Common reasons applications are rejected
- Next steps: applying for your grant
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: 30 September 2026
What is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and who qualifies
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a government grant programme that helps homeowners in England, Scotland, and Wales replace fossil fuel heating systems with renewable alternatives like heat pumps and biomass boilers. Understanding who qualifies is essential if you’re considering upgrading your home’s heating system.
The boiler upgrade scheme offers grants of up to £7,500 towards installing a heat pump or biomass boiler in residential properties (Searching for net zero, 11 results). Eligibility requirements are straightforward but specific.
The scheme applies to owner-occupied homes and some rental properties. Your property must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), and you must use an MCS certified installer, a non-negotiable requirement for receiving the grant.
Your current heating system must be a gas boiler, oil boiler, or electric heating system. If your property already has a heat pump or renewable heating installed, you won’t qualify. The property must be in England, Scotland, or Wales; Northern Ireland operates under different schemes.
Core eligibility criteria for the scheme
To qualify for the boiler upgrade scheme, your property must be a residential dwelling (owner-occupied or rental with landlord conditions), you cannot have previously received a grant for the same property, and it must not be a new build.
The boiler upgrade scheme requires you’re replacing a working fossil fuel heating system (or electric heating). Even if your boiler is broken, you qualify if it was your primary heating method.
Properties with an EPC rating of D or above access the full grant. Properties rated E, F, or G can still qualify but must commit to energy efficiency improvements (loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, or draught-proofing) alongside the heating upgrade.
Owner-occupiers (outright or mortgaged) are eligible. Landlords can apply if they’ve owned the property for at least 12 months and aren’t in breach of housing regulations. Tenants cannot apply directly.
The property must be a primary residence or long-term rental investment property in England, Scotland, or Wales. Second homes and holiday lets don’t qualify.
EPC requirements for boiler grants
Your EPC must be valid and current (no more than 10 years old) (Selling a home: Energy Performance Certificates). It shows your property’s energy efficiency rating and identifies your current heating system. Most applicants obtain a fresh certificate before applying.
Properties rated D or above qualify for the straightforward route: install your heat pump and receive the grant. Properties rated E, F, or G must commit to energy efficiency improvements alongside the heating upgrade.
Energy efficiency improvements (loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, draught-proofing) must be completed before or after heating installation. Many homeowners find this worthwhile as it reduces heating bills and improves comfort.
The EPC must clearly show you have a gas boiler, oil boiler, or electric heating. If it shows you already have a heat pump or renewable heating, you won’t be eligible.
Getting a fresh EPC before applying removes potential obstacles and ensures no dispute about your property’s rating or current heating system.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant amount and what it covers
The boiler upgrade scheme offers a fixed grant of £7,500 towards the installation of an eligible heating system. This amount applies regardless of the technology you choose, whether it’s an air source heat pump, ground source heat pump, or biomass boiler. The grant is substantial, but it typically covers only part of the total installation cost.
The £7,500 covers the supply and installation of the new heating system. It includes the main unit, basic pipework, and labour costs associated with the installation. What it doesn’t cover are additional works that might be necessary for your specific property. If your home needs new radiators, upgraded pipework, or modifications to accommodate the new system, those costs fall to you.
Many properties require supplementary work beyond the basic installation. Heat pumps often need new or upgraded radiators because they operate at lower temperatures than gas boilers. If your current radiators are undersized, you’ll need larger ones, this cost isn’t included in the boiler upgrade scheme grant. Similarly, if your property needs a new hot water cylinder or upgraded electrical infrastructure to support a heat pump, these are your responsibility.
The grant is applied as a discount against the total installation cost. You don’t receive £7,500 in cash; instead, the installer deducts it from their quote, and you pay the remainder. This means choosing a reputable installer is important, they’ll manage the grant application process and ensure the deduction is applied correctly.
There are no grants available for maintenance, servicing, or repairs to your new heating system after installation. The boiler upgrade scheme covers the initial installation only. If you need repairs or servicing within the first few years, those are your costs, though many installers offer warranties that cover defects.
MCS certified installer requirements
Using an MCS certified installer is mandatory for the boiler upgrade scheme, there are no exceptions. The Microgeneration Certification Scheme is the official accreditation body for renewable heating installers in the UK (MCS – UK’s Quality Mark for Small-scale Renewables). If your installer isn’t MCS certified, you won’t receive the grant, regardless of the quality of their work.
MCS certification means the installer has met specific standards for competence, quality, and customer protection. They’ve passed assessments, carry appropriate insurance, and follow codes of practice. When you work with an MCS certified installer, you’re protected by their membership requirements and dispute resolution procedures.
Finding an MCS certified installer in your area is straightforward. The MCS website maintains a searchable register of all certified installers. You can enter your postcode and see which installers operate in your region. Major Heat’s Gas Safe registered engineers can guide you through the process.
The installer will handle the grant application on your behalf. They’ll submit your EPC, property details, and installation specifications to the scheme administrator. They’ll also ensure the work meets the required standards, if it doesn’t, the grant won’t be released. This is why using an MCS certified installer protects both you and the integrity of the scheme.
Before committing to an installer, verify their MCS certification directly. Ask for their MCS registration number and check it on the official register. Don’t rely on their word alone, confirmation takes minutes and removes any doubt. An MCS certified installer will welcome this verification because it demonstrates your due diligence.
Property types and heating systems covered
The boiler upgrade scheme applies to most residential property types. Detached houses, semi-detached homes, terraced properties, and bungalows all qualify. Flats and apartments can access the scheme, though this depends on ownership structure, you must own the flat outright or have the legal right to install heating systems.
Converted properties and older buildings can apply, provided they meet the core eligibility criteria. Listed buildings and properties in conservation areas may face planning restrictions, but the boiler upgrade scheme itself doesn’t exclude them. You’ll simply need to obtain any necessary planning permissions before installation.
The heating systems covered by the boiler upgrade scheme are air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, and biomass boilers. Air source heat pumps are the most common choice, they extract heat from outside air and are suitable for most properties. Ground source heat pumps require space for underground loops or boreholes, making them less practical for smaller properties but highly efficient where feasible.
Biomass boilers burn wood pellets or chips and qualify for the scheme, though they’re less common in residential settings. They require storage space for fuel and regular maintenance, which is why many homeowners prefer heat pumps. The boiler upgrade scheme treats all three technologies equally in terms of grant value.
Properties with oil boilers or electric heating systems are eligible to apply. If you’re currently using oil heating, switching to a heat pump typically reduces running costs significantly. Properties with electric heating can switch to a more efficient heat pump system, though the benefit depends on your electricity tariff and how efficiently the heat pump operates in your climate.
New builds don’t qualify for the boiler upgrade scheme. The scheme is designed to support retrofitting existing homes with renewable heating. If you’re building a new home, you’ll need to install compliant heating systems as part of the building regulations process, but the boiler upgrade scheme grant isn’t available.
Common reasons applications are rejected
Applications for the boiler upgrade scheme are rejected when core eligibility criteria aren’t met. The most common reason is using an installer who isn’t MCS certified. If you proceed with an uncertified installer, you won’t receive the grant, no matter how good the work is. Always verify certification before signing any contract.
An invalid or missing EPC causes many rejections.
Next steps: applying for your grant
The application process for the boiler upgrade scheme begins with finding an MCS certified installer. Once you’ve selected your installer and received a quote, they’ll handle the formal application. You’ll need to provide your EPC, proof of property ownership or tenancy, and complete the installer’s application form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main eligibility criteria for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
You must own the property, have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), and plan to install an eligible heating system such as a heat pump or biomass boiler. The property must not have received a grant under the scheme before. Owner-occupiers and landlords are both eligible, though landlords must ensure compliance with relevant regulations. Your heating engineer must be MCS certified to carry out the work.
Do I need an EPC to qualify for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
Yes, an EPC is required before you apply. It must be dated within the last 10 years and show your property’s current energy rating. If your EPC is older, you’ll need a new one before submitting your application. The EPC helps the scheme assess your property’s heating needs and ensures the grant is targeted appropriately.
How much is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant worth?
The scheme currently offers a £7,500 grant towards the cost of installing an eligible heating system, such as a heat pump or biomass boiler. This is a fixed amount regardless of the total installation cost, so your actual out-of-pocket expense depends on the final price quoted by your MCS certified installer. The grant is paid directly to your installer as a discount.
Can I use the Boiler Upgrade Scheme if I currently have a gas boiler?
Yes, you can apply even if you have an existing gas boiler. The scheme encourages switching away from gas heating to renewable alternatives like heat pumps or biomass systems. Your current heating system doesn’t disqualify you, but the scheme only funds replacement with eligible low-carbon heating technologies, not gas boiler replacements.