How much is a heat pump grant?

What exactly is a heat pump grant and how much is it?

This article covers everything you need to know.

What is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is a government initiative designed to provide financial support for property owners in England and Wales, enabling the adoption of low-carbon heating technologies. This scheme plays a vital role in decarbonising homes and helping the UK achieve its net-zero emissions targets.

To help the UK meet its net-zero carbon emissions goals, the government is encouraging homeowners to replace traditional fossil fuel boilers with energy-efficient alternatives, such as heat pumps. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme BUS offers grants to make low-carbon heating installations more affordable by offsetting the higher upfront costs of systems like heat pumps.

The scheme, running until 2028, is supported by a £1.5 billion budget as part of a broader £4 billion strategy to reduce emissions. Additionally, installations of energy-saving materials, including heat pumps, benefit from 0% VAT until March 2027.

What are Low-Carbon Heating Technologies?

Low-carbon heating systems are designed to minimise environmental impact while efficiently heating your home. Common technologies include:

  • Heat Pumps: These systems harness energy from natural resources like air, ground, or water to provide heating and hot water. They are highly efficient and suitable for a wide range of properties. Options include both Air Source Heat Pumps and Ground Source Heat Pumps.
  • Biomass Boilers: These boilers use renewable energy by burning organic materials such as wood pellets or logs, offering a sustainable alternative for off-grid properties.

How Does the Boiler Upgrade Scheme Work?

The scheme is installer-led, meaning your accredited installer applies for a grant voucher on your behalf. After your low-carbon heating system is installed, the grant amount is deducted from the upfront cost, making it more accessible for homeowners.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Consultation: An accredited installer assesses your property and advises on suitable systems.
  2. Application: The installer applies for the BUS grant on your behalf through Ofgem, the scheme administrator.
  3. Installation: The grant amount is discounted from the total installation cost.

This streamlined process ensures that switching from fossil fuel boilers to greener alternatives is simpler and more affordable.

What Funding is Available?

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides the following grants to eligible property owners:

  • £7,500 for installing an air source heat pump.
  • £7,500 for installing a ground source or water source heat pump.
  • £5,000 for installing a biomass boiler (only for properties off the gas grid).

These grants significantly reduce the cost of adopting low-carbon heating systems. Keep in mind:

  • Biomass boilers are eligible only for rural, off-grid properties.
  • Only accredited Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) installers can apply for these grants.

Who Can Apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?

In order to qualify, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Property Criteria:

  • The property must be located in England or Wales.
  • Owners of domestic and small non-domestic properties are eligible.
  • The property must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) issued within the last 10 years. Exceptions apply for custom-build properties.

Technology Criteria:

  • The heating system must fully replace an existing fossil fuel system (e.g., oil, gas, or direct electric heating).
  • The installation must meet the full heating and hot water needs of the property.
  • Eligible systems include heat pumps with a capacity of up to 45kW and shared ground loops up to 300kW for ground source systems.
  • Systems must not have been installed or commissioned within the past 120 days.

Note: Hybrid systems combining fossil fuels with heat pumps are not eligible unless the heat pump meets 100% of the heating and hot water requirements.

Start Your Heat Pump Journey

You can contact us here, to speak with one of our expert installers and explore your options.

by Dean Barton

Supplier Spotlight: Vaillant Group

Vaillant Group are one of our trusted suppliers at Custom Renewables.

When it comes to recommending the right heat pump to our customers, It's important to us that we provide the most efficient and cost effective system. We only work with the highest quality brands.

This article explains some of the reasons why Vaillant Group heat pumps are a smart choice for your home.

Vaillant Group heat pumps are redefining the future of home heating, combining advanced technology, environmental responsibility, and exceptional versatility.

Here’s why they stand out:

1. Environmentally Friendly Innovation

The Vaillant Group is committed to sustainability, and this ethos is evident in their latest-generation heat pumps. These systems use a cutting-edge natural coolant with an impressively low global warming potential (GWP). By choosing a Vaillant heat pump, you’re not just investing in a reliable heating system but you are also making an eco-conscious choice that helps to reduce your carbon footprint.

But the environmental benefits don’t stop there. The natural coolant also enables high flow temperatures, ensuring optimal performance even in colder weather. This means that Vaillant heat pumps aren’t just limited to modern homes and are also perfect for older, less insulated properties that require more robust heating solutions.

2. High Performance and Year-Round Comfort

Vaillant heat pumps are designed to deliver both heating and hot water efficiently and effectively, no matter the season. The combination of innovative engineering and smart design ensures your home stays warm and comfortable, while your energy usage remains efficient.

This versatility is particularly important for homeowners looking for a heating solution that bridges the gap between sustainability and practicality. By offering reliable performance across a range of property types, Vaillant heat pumps provide peace of mind, knowing that your home’s heating needs are in capable hands.

3. Cutting-Edge Features for Modern Living

Vaillant’s heat pumps are not only efficient but also feature-forward, incorporating innovations that enhance their usability and environmental credentials:

  • aroTHERM plus: This model is one of the quietest heat pumps on the market. It makes it an excellent choice for residential areas where noise levels are a concern. The whisper-quiet operation ensures that comfort doesn’t come at the expense of peace and tranquility.
  • recoCOMPACT exclusive: This model shows Vaillant’s commitment to sustainability. It is designed to be 95% recyclable. This forward-thinking approach ensures that even at the end of its life cycle, the heat pump minimises its environmental impact, aligning with Vaillant’s long-term vision of a greener future.

4. A Trusted Legacy of Innovation

The Vaillant Group has long been a pioneer in heating technology. Their expertise in developing future-focused solutions is evident in their heat pumps. By investing in one of these systems, you’re choosing a product backed by decades of research, engineering, and a commitment to creating sustainable and efficient heating solutions.

5. An Ideal Choice for Every Home

Whether you live in a new-build property with modern insulation or an older home that requires higher heating output, these systems can be tailored to meet your specific requirements. With high flow temperatures and efficient operation, they’re versatile enough to adapt to any home.

Make the Switch to Sustainable Comfort

Choosing a Vaillant Group heat pump means investing in a heating solution that prioritises performance, sustainability, and comfort. With their quiet operation, environmentally friendly design, and adaptability to various home types, Vaillant heat pumps are a future-proof choice for any household.

Contact us today if you are interested in a heat pump for your home.

 

by Dean Barton