Thousands of Brits can now get a grant of up to £7,500 for a boiler upgrade, with ‘no strings attached’ as the money will ‘never need to be repaid’.
The government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme was first launched back in May 2022 in a bid to make expensive heating technology more accessible to homeowners.
The scheme aims to encourage more households to replace older gas-fired boilers with energy-efficient electric heat pumps, with an overview on the government website explaining: “Through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you could get a grant to cover part of the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems with a heat pump or biomass boiler.
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“Fossil fuel heating systems include oil, gas or electric.”
Heat pumps provide a more energy efficient way to heat homes, but can be incredibly costly.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme currently offers £5,000-£6,000 to cover the price, depending on the type of heat pump.
However, now the grant has risen to £7,500, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak saying: "The boiler upgrade scheme which gives people cash grants to upgrade their boiler will be increased by 50% to £7,500.
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"There are no strings attached. The money will never need to be repaid."
The scheme is open to people in England and Wales, while those in Scotland might be able to get an interest-free loan or grant to make homes more energy efficient, and those Northern Ireland can access a grant to replace their boiler.
You’re eligible if you:
- own the property you’re applying for (including if it’s a business, a second home, or a property you rent out to tenants)
- have installed (or plan to install) your new heating system on or after 1 April 2022
- be replacing fossil fuel heating systems (such as oil, gas or electric)
“You’re still eligible if you’ve already had funding to make your property more energy efficient, for example by insulating it,” the government explained.
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Properties not eligible include ‘most new build properties’, social housing and properties that have ‘already been given government funding or support for a heat pump or biomass boiler’.
To apply, you must contact suitable MSC certified installers to get quotes for work, confirm you’re eligible (something your installer will be able to tell you) and agree a quote with your chosen installer.
The installer will then apply on your behalf on the Ofgem website, with the value of the grant will be taken off the amount you pay for installation.
Topics: UK News, Rishi Sunak, Money
Jess Hardiman