Boiler Upgrade Scheme UK and Free Boiler Grants 2026
Quick Answer
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme in 2026 helps property owners in England and Wales replace fossil fuel heating with low-carbon systems. Current grants are £7,500 for air source heat pumps, £7,500 for ground source heat pumps and £5,000 for biomass boilers. Free boiler grants still exist separately through schemes such as ECO4, but they are not the same thing.
If you are tired of high heating bills and an ageing boiler, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme UK could help lower the upfront cost of switching to a cleaner heating system. It is not a cash payment for a new gas boiler, but it can make a heat pump or biomass boiler much more affordable.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and Grant Facts
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Boiler Upgrade Scheme → supports → low-carbon heating upgrades.
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Boiler Upgrade Scheme → applies to → England and Wales.
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Air source heat pumps → attract → a £7,500 grant.
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Ground source heat pumps → attract → a £7,500 grant.
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Biomass boilers → attract → a £5,000 grant in limited cases.
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Property owners → must own → the property being upgraded.
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Eligible projects → must replace → fossil fuel heating systems.
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Free boiler grants → usually come from → ECO-style support, not BUS.
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EPC rules → affect → grant eligibility checks.
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MCS installers → handle → BUS applications on behalf of owners.
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ECO4 → targets → lower-income and vulnerable households.
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Low-carbon heating → reduces → direct fossil fuel use in the home.
What Is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
A government grant for low-carbon heating
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a government-backed grant designed to help property owners switch from fossil fuel heating to lower-carbon systems. In practical terms, it reduces the installation cost of technologies such as heat pumps and, in some cases, biomass boilers.
What the scheme covers in 2026
The current grant levels are £7,500 for an air source heat pump, £7,500 for a ground source heat pump and £5,000 for a biomass boiler. You can usually get one grant per property.
Where the scheme applies
The scheme applies in England and Wales. It is aimed at homes and certain small non-domestic properties, as long as they meet the rules.
What Is a Boiler Grant?
A broader term than the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
A boiler grant is a general term for financial help towards improving home heating. That can include government support, supplier-backed schemes, or obligation-based funding.
Why people often get confused
Many homeowners use “boiler grant” to mean any help with heating costs. In reality, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is mainly for heat pumps and biomass systems, while separate support such as ECO4 may help eligible households with heating upgrades, insulation, or in some cases a free boiler replacement route.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme Grants in 2026
Current grant values
| Technology | Grant available |
|---|---|
| Air source heat pump | £7,500 |
| Ground source heat pump | £7,500 |
| Biomass boiler | £5,000 |
These figures reflect the current official support levels available through the scheme.
What the grant does not cover
The scheme does not give you a grant for a new gas combi boiler. It also does not support hybrid heat pump systems that combine a gas boiler with a heat pump under the current rules.
Who Is Eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
Property ownership rules
You normally need to own the property you are applying for. That includes owner-occupiers, second-home owners and some landlords.
Heating system rules
The scheme is intended for replacing fossil fuel heating systems. That includes gas, oil, LPG and electric resistance heating in qualifying properties.
EPC and insulation position
A valid Energy Performance Certificate is normally required. The exact insulation rules have evolved over time, so it is sensible to have your installer check the latest position before applying.
Geographic limits
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is for England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different support routes.
Property and Technology Requirements
Suitable heating technologies
The scheme supports air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps and, in limited circumstances, biomass boilers. Biomass tends to be more restricted and is often linked to off-gas-grid or rural situations.
Property suitability matters
Not every home is automatically a perfect fit for every low-carbon system. Heat pumps work best in homes with reasonable insulation, sensible emitter sizing and a heating design matched to the property.
Why installer assessment is key
An MCS-certified installer assesses whether the technology is suitable, sizes the system, and applies for the grant. That installer-led route is central to the process.
Can You Still Get a Free Boiler in 2026?
Yes, but not usually through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
You may still be able to get help with a free boiler or heavily subsidised heating upgrade, but this normally comes through ECO4 or local authority schemes rather than the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
Who free boiler support is usually aimed at
Free boiler grant routes are generally aimed at lower-income households, people receiving certain benefits, or homes with poor energy performance. Exact eligibility varies, and not every property will qualify.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme vs Free Boiler Grants
| Feature | Boiler Upgrade Scheme | Free boiler grant routes |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Move homes to low-carbon heating | Help eligible households improve heating affordability |
| Typical technology | Heat pumps and biomass | Can include broader heating and insulation measures |
| Income-based? | No standard income test | Often yes |
| Area | England and Wales | Usually wider GB variations |
| Application route | Through MCS installer | Through approved installers, energy suppliers or local schemes |
The main difference is simple: BUS is a low-carbon grant, while free boiler grant routes are usually affordability and energy-efficiency schemes.
How to Apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Start with the right installer
The normal route is to contact an MCS-certified installer. They check eligibility, survey the property, quote for the work and apply for the grant on your behalf.
What happens next
If the project qualifies, the grant value is taken off the installation cost rather than paid to you as cash. That means you usually see the discount reflected in the final quote.
What to prepare
Have your EPC ready, know what heating system you currently use, and be prepared for a property survey. The installer will usually handle the technical paperwork.
Benefits of Upgrading Your Heating System
Lower running costs over time
A well-designed low-carbon system can reduce exposure to volatile fossil fuel prices, especially in efficient homes.
Lower carbon emissions
Replacing fossil fuel heating with a heat pump or biomass boiler cuts direct emissions from the home and supports wider decarbonisation goals.
Future-proofing your property
Homes with cleaner heating and better efficiency measures are likely to be better placed for future regulation, buyer expectations and long-term energy performance.
Alternatives If You Are Not Eligible
Boiler finance
If you are not eligible for a grant, boiler finance or heat pump finance can spread the cost over time.
ECO4 and local grants
If your income is lower or you receive qualifying benefits, ECO4 or a local council-backed route may be a better fit than BUS.
Insulation first
For many households, improving insulation can be the smartest first move. Better loft, cavity wall or floor insulation can reduce the size of the heating system you need and improve comfort immediately.
Can I Access the Boiler Upgrade Scheme If I Have Bad Credit?
Many homeowners wonder, “Can I Access the Boiler Upgrade Scheme If I Have Bad Credit?” Fortunately, there are options available, including affordable boiler financing for homeowners. This financing can help you upgrade your heating system without straining your budget, making it easier to qualify regardless of your credit history.
FAQ
What is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme in 2026?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme in 2026 is a government grant in England and Wales that helps property owners replace fossil fuel heating with low-carbon systems. It currently offers £7,500 for air source heat pumps, £7,500 for ground source heat pumps and £5,000 for biomass boilers in qualifying cases. With the increasing focus on sustainability, understanding boiler installation costs in 2026 will be crucial for homeowners considering a transition to greener alternatives. As the demand for efficient heating solutions grows, manufacturers are expected to innovate, potentially reducing installation costs over time. Furthermore, financial incentives from government schemes will likely play a significant role in offsetting these expenses for eligible properties.
Can I get a grant for a new gas boiler?
No, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme does not fund a new gas boiler. It is designed to support a move away from fossil fuel heating, not a replacement like-for-like gas installation. If you need help with a gas boiler, you would usually need to look at ECO-style support or finance options instead.
Can landlords apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
Yes, landlords can usually apply if they own the property and meet the scheme rules. The property must still be in England or Wales and must be replacing an eligible fossil fuel heating system with an approved low-carbon alternative. A valid EPC and installer-led application process still apply.
Is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme income-based?
No, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme does not normally use a standard income test. It is mainly based on property ownership, location, heating type being replaced and installer-led eligibility checks. By contrast, many free boiler grant routes and ECO-type schemes are much more closely linked to income or benefits.
Can I still get a free boiler in 2026?
Possibly, but usually not through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Free boiler support is more often linked to ECO4 or local authority-backed energy efficiency schemes aimed at lower-income or vulnerable households. If you are looking for a free boiler rather than a heat pump grant, those routes are the ones to check first.
What heating systems does the scheme support?
The scheme supports air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps and, in some limited circumstances, biomass boilers. It does not support a straightforward gas boiler replacement under the main grant rules. The installer must confirm that the property and the chosen technology are suitable before the grant is approved.
How do I apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
You do not usually apply directly as a homeowner. Instead, you contact an MCS-certified installer, who checks your eligibility, surveys the property, gives you a quote and submits the application for you. The grant is then deducted from the installation cost if everything is approved.
Is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme worth it?
For many homeowners, yes. The grant can reduce the upfront cost of a low-carbon heating system by several thousand pounds, which makes heat pumps much more realistic than they would otherwise be. Whether it is worth it for you depends on your home’s insulation, heating design, electricity costs and long-term plans for the property.
Final Thoughts
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme UK is one of the clearest routes available in 2026 for homeowners who want to move away from fossil fuel heating and make low-carbon systems more affordable.
The key point is not to confuse it with a free boiler grant. If you want a heat pump or qualifying biomass boiler, BUS could be the right fit. If you need help replacing an old gas boiler because of affordability, ECO-style support may be the better route.
