Boiler Upgrade Scheme increase: is the heat pump grant going up to £9,000?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is changing, and some homeowners may soon be able to get more help towards the cost of installing a heat pump.
From 21 July 2026, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant is increasing to £9,000 for certain eligible off-gas-grid properties that currently use oil or LPG heating. This means some homeowners, landlords and small businesses may be able to get more support when switching from an oil boiler to a heat pump or from an LPG boiler to a heat pump.
For homeowners and property owners across Horley, Reigate, Redhill, Crawley, Surrey and West Sussex, this could be especially relevant if your home, rental property or business premises is not connected to mains gas.
Many rural homes, countryside properties and older buildings across Surrey and West Sussex still rely on oil or LPG heating. If you are searching for a heat pump grant in Surrey, a heat pump grant in West Sussex, or want to understand whether the Boiler Upgrade Scheme increase could apply to your property, this guide explains what is changing and what to look out for.
The important point is that the £9,000 heat pump grant will not apply to every property. For many standard air source heat pump installations, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant remains £7,500.
This guide explains who may qualify for the £9,000 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, what it means for oil boiler replacement in Surrey and West Sussex, what it means for LPG boiler replacement, and why a proper heat pump survey is still essential.
What is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme, often shortened to BUS, is a government grant scheme for England and Wales.
It helps reduce the upfront cost of installing low-carbon heating systems, such as air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps and, in some limited cases, biomass boilers. The scheme is designed to support property owners who are replacing fossil fuel heating systems with cleaner heating technology.
The grant is usually handled through your installer. Ofgem guidance explains that the installer applies for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme voucher on behalf of the property owner, and the property owner will need to give consent and complete the required checks.
MCS stands for Microgeneration Certification Scheme. In simple terms, an MCS certified heat pump installer works to recognised standards for renewable heating installations.
How much is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant at the moment?
The main Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant values include:
£7,500 towards eligible air-to-water heat pumps
£7,500 towards eligible ground source heat pumps
£2,500 towards eligible air-to-air heat pumps
£5,000 towards eligible biomass boilers in certain circumstances
For most homeowners looking at a full heating system replacement, the most common option is an air-to-water heat pump. This is the type of air source heat pump that heats water for your radiators, underfloor heating and hot water cylinder.
At the moment, many people know the scheme as the £7,500 heat pump grant. From 21 July 2026, some oil and LPG properties may be able to receive a higher amount of £9,000.
Is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme increasing to £9,000?
Yes, but only for certain properties.
From 21 July 2026, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme increase raises the grant to £9,000 for eligible off-gas-grid properties replacing oil heating or LPG heating with an eligible heat pump.
This means the higher £9,000 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant may apply where a property:
Is not connected to mains gas
Currently uses oil or LPG heating
Is having an eligible heat pump installed
Meets the scheme rules and property requirements
Uses an MCS certified installer
This is especially important for rural homes, countryside properties, farms, larger homes and off-gas-grid buildings across Surrey, West Sussex and the surrounding areas.
Does every home get the £9,000 heat pump grant?
No. This is the key point.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is not simply increasing to £9,000 for every home.
If your property is connected to mains gas, you are unlikely to qualify for the higher £9,000 grant. In many cases, the grant for an eligible air source heat pump installation remains £7,500.
So, the simple answer is:
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is increasing to £9,000 for some eligible off-gas-grid oil and LPG properties, not for every heat pump installation.
This is why it is worth checking properly before advertising or assuming that every customer can get the higher amount.
What does off-gas-grid mean?
Off-gas-grid means your property is not connected to the mains gas network.
These properties are often heated by:
Oil boilers
LPG boilers
Electric heating
Older fossil fuel heating systems
Solid fuel heating
Biomass systems
You often find off-gas-grid homes in rural areas, villages, countryside properties, farms, larger houses and buildings outside main towns.
Across Surrey and West Sussex, this can include homes and small businesses on the outskirts of places like Horley, Reigate, Redhill, Crawley and surrounding villages.
For these properties, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme increase could make an air source heat pump installation more realistic financially.
Can you get a heat pump grant to replace an oil boiler?
Yes, some homes may be able to.
If your property is off the gas grid and currently heated by oil, you may be able to qualify for the £9,000 heat pump grant from 21 July 2026, as long as the property and installation meet the scheme rules.
This could make a big difference if you are considering an oil boiler replacement in Surrey or oil boiler replacement in West Sussex.
Rather than replacing an old oil boiler with another oil boiler, it may be worth checking whether an oil boiler to heat pump upgrade could work for your property.
A heat pump could help you move away from:
Oil deliveries
Oil tank storage
Fossil fuel heating
Fluctuating oil prices
Older boiler maintenance issues
However, not every oil-heated property is automatically suitable. Older rural homes can sometimes have higher heat loss, older radiators or weaker insulation, so the system design needs to be checked properly.
Can you get a heat pump grant to replace an LPG boiler?
Yes, some LPG-heated homes may also qualify.
If your property is off-gas-grid and currently uses LPG heating, the higher £9,000 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant may apply from 21 July 2026, depending on the property and installation.
For homeowners with LPG tanks or cylinders, moving from an LPG boiler to a heat pump may be worth looking into.
This may be relevant for rural homes, larger properties, annexes, converted buildings and small business premises across Surrey and West Sussex.
A heat pump may help reduce reliance on LPG deliveries and give the property a cleaner long-term heating system. But again, the system needs to be designed around the building.
Why is the grant increasing for oil and LPG homes?
The higher grant is aimed at helping rural and off-gas-grid households move away from fossil fuel heating.
Oil and LPG heating can be expensive, and many off-gas-grid homes do not have the same heating options as properties connected to mains gas.
For homeowners, the important thing is not just the grant amount. The real question is whether the property is suitable for a heat pump and whether the system can be designed to heat the building properly.
That is why a proper survey matters, especially for older homes and rural properties across Surrey and West Sussex.
What type of heat pump is covered by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
The main option for most homes is an air-to-water heat pump.
An air-to-water heat pump takes heat from the outside air and uses it to heat water for your central heating and hot water cylinder.
It can work with:
Radiators
Underfloor heating
Hot water cylinders
Smart heating controls
This is different from air conditioning or an air-to-air heat pump, which heats or cools air directly in a room.
For most full home heating replacements, an air source heat pump installation usually means an air-to-water system.
Is an air source heat pump a straight boiler replacement?
No, and this is where some people go wrong.
An air source heat pump is not the same as swapping an old boiler for a new boiler. It works differently and needs to be designed properly.
Before installing a heat pump, an installer should check:
How much heat your property loses
How well insulated the building is
Whether your radiators are suitable
Where the outdoor unit can go
Your hot water usage
The size and condition of your cylinder
Your electrical supply
Any planning or noise considerations
Whether the system may qualify for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
This is why choosing an experienced air source heat pump installer in Surrey or West Sussex is important.
A well-designed heat pump can work very well, but a rushed or poorly designed system can lead to poor comfort, higher running costs and disappointed customers.
What does the Boiler Upgrade Scheme increase mean for homeowners in Surrey and West Sussex?
For homeowners with oil or LPG heating, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme increase could make a heat pump more affordable.
If your boiler is getting old, unreliable or expensive to run, it may be worth looking at whether an air source heat pump grant could help with the cost of upgrading.
This is especially relevant if you:
Live in an off-gas-grid property
Currently have an oil boiler
Currently have an LPG boiler
Are planning home improvements
Want to reduce fossil fuel use
Are looking at solar panels or battery storage as well
Want a longer-term heating solution
Live in or around Horley, Reigate, Redhill, Crawley, Surrey or West Sussex
The grant can reduce the upfront cost, but the property still needs to be surveyed properly.
What does the Boiler Upgrade Scheme increase mean for landlords?
Landlords with off-gas-grid rental properties should also pay attention to the change.
If a rental property currently has oil or LPG heating, the higher heat pump grant could make it easier to upgrade the heating system.
This may be useful for:
Rural rental homes
Older rented properties
Converted buildings
Annexes
Small blocks
Properties where the boiler is reaching the end of its life
For landlords in Surrey and West Sussex, this may be worth considering before replacing an old oil or LPG boiler like-for-like.
A heat pump may help improve the long-term energy setup of the property, but landlords should still think about tenant disruption, hot water demand, controls, future maintenance and how easy the system will be for tenants to use.
What does it mean for small businesses?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme can also apply to buildings used for business, not just homes. GOV.UK says the grant can be used to replace a heating system in a home or a building used for business.
For a small business that is off the gas grid and using oil or LPG, the £9,000 heat pump grant could make a heat pump more attractive.
This may apply to buildings such as:
Small offices
Workshops
Clinics
Rural business units
Farm buildings
Community buildings
Small commercial premises
For small businesses across Horley, Reigate, Redhill, Crawley, Surrey and West Sussex, the key is to make sure the system is designed around how the building is actually used.
A workshop, clinic or office may have a very different heating pattern to a home, so the heat pump design should reflect that.
Will the heat pump grant cover the full installation cost?
Usually, no.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant helps reduce the upfront cost, but it does not always cover the full installation.
The final cost depends on the property and what work is needed. Some installations are straightforward. Others may need extra work, such as:
Radiator upgrades
Hot water cylinder changes
Pipework alterations
Electrical work
Heating controls
Outdoor unit base
System flushing
Removal of old equipment
Insulation improvements
That is why a proper heat pump quote should be based on a survey, not just the size of your current boiler.
Do you need to apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme yourself?
In most cases, no.
The scheme is installer-led. Ofgem explains that the installer applies for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme voucher on behalf of the property owner, while the property owner provides consent and any required information during the process.
This means your installer should guide you through the process, explain what information is needed and apply for the voucher if the installation is eligible.
Should you wait for the £9,000 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant?
If your property is off the gas grid and currently uses oil or LPG, it may be worth getting advice before replacing your boiler.
You may not need to rush into anything, but you also do not want to leave it until your heating fails.
It is worth looking into it early if:
Your oil or LPG boiler is getting old
Your boiler is becoming unreliable
You are planning building work
You are considering solar panels or battery storage
You want to reduce reliance on fossil fuels
You are a landlord planning future upgrades
You run a small business with an old heating system
A survey can help you understand whether a heat pump is realistic before you commit to anything.
Common mistakes when applying for a heat pump grant
The most common mistake is assuming every property will get the £9,000 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant.
Other common mistakes include:
Thinking the grant pays for the whole installation
Assuming every home is suitable for a heat pump
Not checking whether the property is off the gas grid
Not confirming the existing heating fuel
Ignoring radiator sizes
Forgetting about hot water demand
Choosing the cheapest quote without checking the design
Not checking whether the installer is MCS certified
Leaving everything until the boiler breaks down
The grant is useful, but the quality of the design and installation still matters.
Air source heat pump installation
If you are considering an air source heat pump installation in Horley, Reigate, Redhill or Crawley, it is important to start with the property, not just the grant.
A heat pump needs to be sized and designed around the building. That means checking the heat loss, radiators, hot water cylinder, pipework, outdoor unit location and electrical supply.
For homes currently heated by oil or LPG, this is especially important. Moving from an oil boiler to an air source heat pump or from an LPG boiler to a heat pump is not a simple like-for-like boiler swap.
The system needs to be designed around the building so it can heat the property properly and run efficiently.
Heat pump installers
If you are searching for heat pump installers in Surrey or heat pump installers in West Sussex, it is important to choose a company that can do more than simply fit the outdoor unit.
A good air source heat pump installer in Surrey or West Sussex should check the property carefully before recommending a system. This should include a heat loss assessment, radiator checks, hot water demand, outdoor unit location, electrical supply and whether the property may qualify for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant.
This is especially important for homes currently heated by oil or LPG. Rural homes and older properties can be very different from modern new builds, so the design needs to be tailored to the building.
JPEC Green Energy installs air source heat pumps in Horley, Reigate, Redhill, Crawley, Surrey, West Sussex and the surrounding areas. We can help homeowners, landlords and small businesses understand whether they may qualify for the £9,000 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, whether their property is suitable, and what the installation would involve.
Choosing an MCS heat pump installer in Surrey or West Sussex
To access the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, your installation needs to be carried out through an eligible installer who can apply for the grant correctly.
Choosing an MCS heat pump installer in Surrey or an MCS heat pump installer in West Sussex is important because the grant process, system design and commissioning all need to be handled properly.
A good installer should explain:
Whether your property may be eligible
What grant amount may apply
Whether your existing heating system is suitable
Whether radiators or cylinders need upgrading
Where the outdoor unit can be installed
What the installation will involve
What documents and handover information you should receive
The grant helps with the cost, but the installer still needs to design the system properly.
How JPEC Green Energy can help
JPEC Green Energy installs air source heat pumps for homeowners, landlords and small businesses across Horley, Reigate, Redhill, Crawley, Surrey, West Sussex and the surrounding areas.
We can help you understand whether your property may be suitable for a heat pump, what grant level may apply, and what the installation would involve.
Our process can include:
- Property survey
- Heat loss assessment
- System design
- Radiator checks
- Hot water cylinder review
- Outdoor unit location advice
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant guidance
- Installation and commissioning
- Clear handover and aftercare
If you currently have an oil or LPG boiler and are not connected to mains gas, the upcoming £9,000 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant may make an air source heat pump installation worth looking into.
Final thoughts
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is increasing to £9,000, but only for certain eligible off-gas-grid properties replacing oil or LPG heating with an eligible heat pump.
For many other homes, the grant remains £7,500 for eligible air source heat pump installations.
For homeowners, landlords and small businesses across Surrey and West Sussex, especially those in off-gas-grid areas around Horley, Reigate, Redhill and Crawley, this change could make a heat pump more affordable.
The best thing to do is not guess. Get the property assessed properly, check the grant eligibility, and make sure the heat pump is designed around the building.
A heat pump can be a good long-term upgrade, but only when it is properly specified, installed and explained.
To arrange a survey or ask about Boiler Upgrade Scheme eligibility in Surrey or West Sussex, contact JPEC Green Energy today.
