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Install a heat pump for less with the BUS grant
Increase the value of your home by installing a heat pump
You’re likely one of many UK homeowners still relying on costly gas or electric heating. And while you may want to upgrade, the upfront cost (often over £10,000 for a 2-3 bedroom home) can be hard to justify. Thanks to government-backed heat pump grants, you can now reduce or remove the cost of heat pump installation. Whether you’re looking at air source heat pumps or ground source heat pumps, this guide explains in detail what support is available, who qualifies and how to apply.
We take it a step further by connecting you with up to 4 trusted, qualified heat pump installers for accurate quotes, needed for grant applications like BUS or ECO4. And with most grants closing between 2026 and 2028 and demand rising, now is the time to act.
Fill in our 30-second form below to save hours of research, avoid delays, and get the best prices.
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In 2025, there are five main government grants for heat pumps in the UK. These schemes can help you cover part or all of the cost of switching to a low-carbon system.
Funding applies to different systems, like an air to water heat pump, and hybrid heat pump setups. Some also cover upgrades that include both a heat pump and solar panels, as part of wider energ-saving improvements.
How much you get depends on your location, EPC rating, household income, and whether you're also upgrading insulation or heating controls. For example, air to air heat pumps typically cost around £7,000 for a 9.5 kw system hooked up to a standard 2-3 bedroom home.
The table gives an overview of the grants you can apply for to lower your heat pump installation cost.
Grant name | Region | Max funding | Eligible installs | Runs until |
---|---|---|---|---|
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) | England & Wales | £7,500 | Air source and ground source heat pumps | March 2028 |
ECO4 Scheme | England, Wales & Scotland | Up to 100% of the cost | Whole-house retrofits, incl. Heat pumps | March 2026 |
Warm Homes Local Grant | England | Up to £15,000 | Air source and ground source heat pumps | 2028 |
Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan | Scotland | Up to £15,000 (£7,500 grant + £7,500 loan) | Air source, ground source, and water-to-water heat pumps | Ongoing (reviewed yearly) |
Did you know? 0% VAT applies to all domestic heat pump installs until March 2027, even without a grant.
Let’s explore all grants for heat pumps in more detail.
Available until March 2028, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) government-funded heat pump grant offers up to £7,500 to help you replace your old heating system with a modern, energy-efficient heat pump (including options like a water source heat pump).
The BUS grant makes switching to a heat pump far more affordable.
To qualify, you must:
This is particularly important for older homes, as they’re more likely to have lower EPC ratings and need insulation upgrades, often a must-have for BUS applications to cover cost of heat pumps in Wales.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) application must be submitted through MCS-certified installers, professionals approved to fit renewable heating systems to government standards.
Here’s what to do:
The BUS grant approval process can take 2-3 weeks but expect longer wait times with high demands. To avoid hold-ups, we can connect you with up to 4 qualified installers across the UK, ready to quote.
Fill in our quick 30-second form below to save hours of research, avoid delays, and get up to 4 free quotes.
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Available across the UK until March 2026, the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) can fully cover the cost of your heat pump installation and other upgrades. If your household qualifies, it pays for a full home upgrade, including insulation, heating controls, and a new heat pump, to lower your energy bills and improve your home’s energy rating.
The ECO4 fully funds home upgrades for homes that need the most support. It’s ideal for properties with high heat loss, such as heat pumps in old houses or heat pumps for flats.
The ECO4 scheme is available to all residents across the UK, including those looking for support with heat pumps in Northern Ireland. You may qualify if:
Applying for the ECO4 heat pump scheme is simple but must go through a certified installer.
Note: An air to air heat pump isn’t covered by ECO4, but still qualifies for 0% VAT until 2027.
Available until 2028, Warm Homes Local Grants, a council-run programme serving England only. They offer up to £15,000 to help low-income homes upgrade to low-carbon heating, including heat pump installation. If you earn under £36,000 per year or receive benefits, you may qualify for partial or full funding.
This grant helps lower the cost of heating upgrades for households with high bills and low EPC ratings.
You may qualify if:
Check your local council or regional energy service to see if your area is included. An approved installer will:
To connect with up to 4 qualified heat pump installers who will provide accurate quotes, fill in our 30-second form below. This will save you hours of research and help you get the best options.
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Home Energy Scotland (HES) is a year-round Scottish government-funded scheme for heat pumps. If you’re a Scottish homeowner or private renter, you can get up to £15,000 in combined grants and 0% interest loans to install a heat pump and energy-saving upgrades.
HES helps Scottish households lower their energy bills, making it one of the leading schemes for installing heat pumps in Scotland.
You may qualify if:
The application process is simple and fully supported by the HES team:
With the Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP), you can receive up to 100% funding to upgrade your energy systems, including heat pump installations across Northern Ireland. Funding is delivered through approved suppliers and may also cover insulation, smart heating controls, or a heat pump and solar panel system.
Low-income earners (with an annual income between £28,000 and £35,000) may qualify for full funding. Households with higher incomes, or those not meeting the full funding criteria, can still receive partial grants, typically covering around 50% of the heat pump installation cost.
You must apply through a NISEP-approved supplier. Homeowners cannot directly apply. So, if you're considering a DIY project or arranging your own heat pump installation, NISEP funding will not apply unless a registered supplier carries out the work. Grant availability and funding levels vary by supplier and are reviewed yearly, so check for active offers before starting your project.
Getting a heat pump with grants is possible, but only if you follow the proper steps. Most grants for heat pumps, such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), require a quote from an MCS-certified installer before you can apply. In fact, for the BUS, the installer must apply on your behalf.
They’ll also help determine the system for your home, whether you need a regular system (like an air to water heat pump for well-insulated homes) or a high temperature heat pump for older or poorly insulated properties.
We make the process easier by connecting you with our network of MCS-certified installers across the UK.
✅You’ll receive up to 4 free, non-commitment quotes, saving you hours of research and helping you get started faster.
Fill in the 30-second form to get started now.
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Is the government giving grants for heat pumps?
Yes, the UK government gives grants for heat pumps through schemes like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), ECO4, and HES in Scotland. These grants help cover the cost of installing air source and ground source heat pumps.
Current UK heat pump grants runs between 2025 and 2028. The BUS and Warm Home Grants run until March 2028 and ECO4 runs until March 2026.
In some cases, yes you could get a heat pump installed for free. If you qualify for ECO4 or local council schemes, you may receive full funding for a heat pump and other home energy upgrades.
Anyone who has built their own home (a self-build) is eligible for a heat pump grant from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. The home must meet EPC and installation standards, and an MCS-certified installer must apply for the grant.
Rousanna is an SEO content writer at WhatCost with a background in digital marketing and copywriting. She creates informative, well-researched home improvement content based on practical ideas to help readers make informed decisions.