The UK government has just announced an increase in grants available for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to encourage households to install heat pumps, which can be cheaper than gas boilers.
Starting prices for heat pumps can now be way below the typical cost of buying and installing a gas boiler of between £2,500 and £3,000, thanks to the £7,500 grant.
The increased grants form part of the government’s approach to reaching net zero while reducing costs on British families. The scheme has also been extended by three years to 2028.
You can check if you are eligible here: https://www.gov.uk/apply-boiler-upgrade-scheme/check-if-youre-eligible
The Heat Pump Ready programme has been launched with £10m of funding to support innovation in the heat pump sector and cut installation costs.
The Welcome Home to Energy Efficiency campaign has also been launched to encourage families to improve their home’s energy efficiency, including upgrading to a heat pump, checking loft and wall insulation and installing solar panels.
The grants can be used alongside support from the £1bn Great British Insulation Scheme for more than 300,000 homes. The government has, however, set an exemption to phase out fossil fuel boilers, including gas, in 2035, so that households will not have to switch to a heat pump if their home is not suitable.
Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho said:
‘’No one should have to choose between cutting costs and cutting emissions – our pragmatic approach means we can continue to deliver on our ambitious net zero targets without unfairly hitting the pockets of hardworking families.’’
Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, said:
‘’Making our housing stock more energy efficient not only furthers our net zero ambitions but enables families to cut their energy use and reduce their bills.’’
