The UK Government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme, providing grants to encourage property owners to install low carbon heating systems, has opened for applications today.
The scheme, in place to support the decarbonisation of buildings, provides upfront grants to assist in the installation of heat pumps and biomass boilers in homes and non-domestic buildings located in England and Wales.
Which technologies are covered by the boiler upgrade scheme and how much funding is available?
There are grants available for 3 types of low carbon heating systems:
- Biomass boilers – £5,000 towards cost and installation for systems being installed in rural locations and/or off-grid buildings only
- Air source heat pumps – £5,000 towards cost and installation
- Ground source heat pumps – £6,000 towards cost and installation
Who can apply?
The scheme is ‘installer-led’, meaning such companies need to apply on behalf of homeowners and/or owners of business premises in England and Wales. To qualify you must:
- Own your property
- Posses a property with a valid energy performance certificate (EPC), with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation.
- Have a commissioning date for your low-carbon heating system of 1st April 2022 or after
- Be fully replacing an existing fossil fuel system such as oil, gas or direct electric. Funding will not be provided for the replacement of existing low-carbon systems.
What are the steps involved?
- Choose an MSC certified installer to carry out the work.
- The chosen company then needs to check on the eligibility of your system, and ultimately apply for a grant through the scheme.
- Once a price and timescale has been agreed the installer will then apply for the grant.
- Confirm with Ofgem, the administrators of the scheme who will be in contact, that the installer is working on your behalf.
More information on the boiler upgrade scheme, together with information on how to apply, can be found on the Ofgem website.
