Yes. But here’s what most homeowners get wrong. You can’t just fill out a form and wait for cash. The UK’s grant system requires certified installers to handle applications—especially for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Think you’ll DIY this process? Think again.
Let me show you exactly how the 2026 heat pump grants landscape actually works.
What Grants Are Actually Available Right Now?
Here’s the reality: three schemes dominate England and Wales in 2026.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers £7,500 for air or ground source heat pumps. It runs through 2028, and your installer deducts the grant directly from your quote. No upfront payment drama.
ECO4 covers low-income households—potentially 100% of costs if you qualify. But there’s a catch: it ends in March 2026. Miss it, and you’re out of luck.
Warm Homes Local Grant targets eligible English homes with free upgrades. Council-led, income-tested, and criminally underused because nobody knows it exists.
Quick Comparison:
| Scheme | Max Grant | Who Qualifies | Application Route |
| BUS | £7,500 | Property owners, England/Wales | Installer-led online |
| ECO4 | 100% costs | Income <£36k or benefits | Energy supplier |
| Warm Homes | Full retrofit | EPC D-G, low income | GOV.UK form |
| Scotland (HES) | £15,000 total | Scottish homeowners | Direct online portal |
Scotland plays a different game entirely—up to £15,000 via Home Energy Scotland (£7,500 grant + £7,500 loan). Northern Ireland? Limited options post-Boiler Replacement Scheme closure.
How Do You Actually Apply for BUS Online?
You don’t. Not directly. Start at the GOV.UK BUS page for eligibility basics. Own a property? Replacing fossil fuel heating? Not a new-build? Good start.
But here’s where it gets interesting: you cannot submit the application yourself. Zero direct homeowner access to the BUS portal.
Find an MCS-Certified Installer First
Use the MCS directory. Non-certified installers void your grant—I’ve seen it happen. No second chances. Your installer conducts a property assessment, then generates a quote with the £7,500 deduction already applied. They submit the application through the official portal on your behalf.
Approval? Usually quick if you meet compliance. Installation follows, certification happens, grant is processed. Non-repayable. Done.
What About ECO4 or Warm Homes?
ECO4 requires energy supplier involvement. Check British Gas or your provider’s postcode checker online. They fund it via obligation schemes, not direct government grants.
Warm Homes Local Grant lets you start an online form via GOV.UK, but expect council coordination. Not purely “online and done.”
Do You Even Qualify? Here’s the Brutal Truth
Most homeowners assume they’re eligible. Most are wrong.
- Property ownership matters: Own outright or privately rent. Landlords can apply, but social housing? Forget BUS entirely.
- EPC requirements: Need a valid Energy Performance Certificate. D-G ratings required for Warm Homes. BUS relaxed insulation rules in 2026, but terrible EPCs still block you. Get one free via the EPC register if needed.
- Income thresholds: ECO4 and Warm Homes cap household income at £36,000. Benefits recipients often auto-qualify.
- Heating system: Replacing gas, oil, or LPG boilers. Already have a heat pump? Ineligible for Boiler Upgrade Scheme in England.
Rural properties sometimes get uplifts—£9,000 instead of £7,500 in specific postcodes. Mention this during eligibility checks.
Online Tools: Which Actually Work?
GOV.UK runs eligibility quizzes for BUS and Warm Homes. Input postcode, income, EPC rating—instant feedback. Accurate? Usually.
Installer sites like Megawave offer 1-minute pre-checks. They’ll flag obvious issues before you waste time.
Want to know the fastest way to check? Call an MCS installer directly. They’ve processed hundreds of applications and spot problems immediately.
Regional Differences Nobody Tells You About
Think the UK has one unified system? Adorable.
- England/Wales: BUS applications run entirely through installers via GOV.UK infrastructure. No direct homeowner portal access.
- Scotland: The Home Energy Scotland Grant portal allows direct online applications. You control the process. Grant plus loan structure reaches £15,000 total—double England’s offer.
- Northern Ireland: No BUS participation. Check NI Energy Advice for local grants, but don’t expect streamlined online processes.
Regional Breakdown:
- England: BUS (installer-led) + Warm Homes (GOV.UK form)
- Wales: BUS only (installer-led)
- Scotland: HES portal (homeowner-led)
- Northern Ireland: Fragmented local schemes
What Mistakes Wreck Applications?
Using non-MCS installers tops the list. Grant voided instantly. No appeals. Skipping the EPC costs people thousands. Get it first—insulation fixes might be required via GBIS before heat pump installation.
Missing ECO4’s March 2026 deadline? That’s on you. BUS runs until 2028, but ECO4 won’t extend.
Forgetting rural uplifts means leaving money unclaimed. Always mention your postcode specifics during checks.
Real Costs After Grants: The Numbers
Air source heat pump installation runs £10,000–£15,000. Post-BUS grant? £2,500–£7,500 out of pocket.
Ground source systems cost ~£24,000. After £7,500? Still £16,500. Ouch.
- Annual savings vs. gas: £200–£500
- Annual savings vs. oil: Higher, sometimes £600+
- Payback period: 5–10 years
Worth it? Depends on your current heating costs and property efficiency.
The Bottom Line
BUS updates include flexible EPC requirements and potential hybrid/air-to-air inclusion. Confirm current rules monthly, GOV.UK updates quietly.
EPC standards tighten in October 2026. Higher minimum ratings could expand grant access or restrict it, depending on your property. ECO4 ends March 2026. After that? Unknown replacement scheme timelines.
Online applications exist, but installer dependency dominates most schemes. Check GOV.UK monthly. Find MCS-certified installers early. And stop assuming the process mirrors standard online forms it doesn’t.
