Home Heat Pump Guide

Heat Pump Grants UK 2026: Complete Guide to Every Scheme

The cost of a heat pump installation in the UK typically falls between £8,000 and £15,000. That is a significant investment — but you almost certainly do not need to pay full price. Multiple grant schemes exist across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland that can reduce your costs by thousands of pounds. Some homeowners pay nothing at all.

This is the definitive guide to every heat pump grant available in the UK in 2026. We cover who qualifies, how much you can get, how to apply, and which schemes can be combined. Whether you own a detached house in Devon, a flat in Edinburgh, or a terraced home in Cardiff, this guide will show you exactly what financial support is available to you.

Quick Summary: Every UK Heat Pump Grant at a Glance

Before we go into detail, here is every scheme that can help fund a heat pump installation in 2026:

  • Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS): £7,500 off an air source heat pump or £7,500 off a ground source heat pump. Available in England and Wales.
  • Home Energy Scotland (HES): Up to £7,500 grant plus up to £7,500 interest-free loan. Available in Scotland.
  • Nest Scheme: Free or heavily subsidised heat pump installations. Available in Wales for eligible households.
  • ECO4 Scheme: Fully funded heat pump installations for low-income and vulnerable households. Available across Great Britain.
  • Local Authority Schemes: Various grants and funding through councils. Availability varies by area.
  • Social Housing Programmes: Funded through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. Available to housing associations and councils.

Now let us look at each scheme in full detail.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) — England and Wales

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is the main government grant for heat pumps in England and Wales. It launched in April 2022 and has been extended to March 2028. The grant amount increased from £5,000 to £7,500 in October 2023, making it significantly more attractive.

BUS Grant Amounts

  • Air source heat pump: £7,500
  • Ground source heat pump: £7,500
  • Biomass boiler (rural properties only): £5,000

BUS Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the BUS grant, you must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Own the property (owner-occupiers and landlords are eligible)
  • Have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation — or have already completed these measures
  • Be replacing an existing fossil fuel heating system (oil, gas, LPG, or electric storage heaters)
  • The property must not be a new build
  • The property must be in England or Wales
  • The heat pump must be installed by an MCS-certified installer

How to Apply for the BUS Grant

You do not apply for the BUS grant directly. Your MCS-certified installer applies on your behalf through the Ofgem portal. The grant is paid directly to the installer, who deducts it from your bill. The process typically takes two to four weeks from application to approval.

For a full walkthrough, see our dedicated BUS Grant guide.

Home Energy Scotland — Scotland

Scotland offers one of the most generous heat pump funding packages in the UK. Through Home Energy Scotland (HES), homeowners can access both a grant and an interest-free loan.

HES Grant and Loan Amounts

  • Grant: Up to £7,500 towards a heat pump
  • Interest-free loan: Up to £7,500 on top of the grant (repayable over up to 10 years)
  • Combined maximum: £15,000 in financial support

On a typical £12,000 air source heat pump installation, the £7,500 grant plus a portion of the loan could mean you pay very little upfront — and the loan repayments are interest-free.

HES Eligibility

  • Own and live in the property (owner-occupier)
  • The property must be in Scotland
  • The home must have adequate insulation (or you must be willing to install it)
  • Use an MCS-certified installer

How to Apply

Call Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 or apply online through their website. An advisor will talk you through options and help you apply. The process is well-supported and straightforward.

Nest Scheme — Wales

The Nest scheme is the Welsh Government's fuel poverty programme. It provides free or heavily subsidised home energy improvements, including heat pump installations, to eligible households in Wales.

What Nest Covers

  • Free heat pump installation for qualifying households
  • Free insulation (loft, cavity wall, external wall)
  • Free energy advice for all Welsh households

Nest Eligibility

Nest is targeted at low-income and vulnerable households. You are more likely to qualify if you:

  • Receive means-tested benefits (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, income-based ESA, etc.)
  • Live in a home with an EPC rating of E, F, or G
  • Have a household income below a certain threshold

Welsh homeowners can also access the BUS grant separately if they do not qualify for Nest.

ECO4 Scheme — England, Scotland, and Wales

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme requires large energy suppliers to fund energy efficiency improvements in homes occupied by low-income and vulnerable people. Heat pumps are one of the eligible measures.

ECO4 Key Details

  • Cost to you: Typically nothing — fully funded
  • Available in: England, Scotland, and Wales
  • Runs until: March 2026 (with expected successor scheme)
  • Delivered by: Energy suppliers and their approved contractors

ECO4 Eligibility

ECO4 is means-tested. You are likely eligible if you:

  • Receive means-tested benefits (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credits, income-related ESA, income-based JSA)
  • Live in a property with an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G
  • Are on a low income and are vulnerable to the effects of cold

For full details, see our ECO4 and heat pumps guide.

Northern Ireland Heat Pump Grants

Northern Ireland has a different grant structure from the rest of the UK. The BUS grant does not apply here, but alternative support is available through the Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP) and various council-level schemes.

Grants in Northern Ireland tend to be smaller than those available in England, Scotland, or Wales, but they are still worth exploring. See our dedicated Northern Ireland guide for full details.

Local Authority Grants and Schemes

Many local councils run their own energy efficiency programmes that can include heat pump funding. These vary significantly by area and change frequently, but they are worth checking because some are very generous.

How to Find Local Grants

  • Contact your local council's housing or energy team
  • Check the Simple Energy Advice website (England)
  • Ask Home Energy Scotland (Scotland)
  • Ask the Energy Saving Trust for your area
  • Your MCS-certified installer may also know about local schemes

Examples of Local Schemes

Some councils offer additional top-up grants of £1,000 to £3,000 on top of the BUS grant. Others run area-based schemes that target specific postcodes or property types. Availability changes regularly, so always check current offerings before planning your installation.

Free Heat Pump Schemes: Who Qualifies?

Several routes exist to get a heat pump installed for free or at very low cost:

  • ECO4: Fully funded for eligible low-income households
  • Nest (Wales): Free for qualifying Welsh households
  • Social housing programmes: Funded by the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund
  • Local authority schemes: Some councils offer fully funded installations

If you are on a low income or receive means-tested benefits, there is a genuine possibility of getting a heat pump installed at no cost. See our free heat pump schemes guide for full details.

Can You Combine Grants?

This is a common question, and the answer depends on which schemes you are looking at:

  • BUS + ECO4: You cannot receive both for the same installation
  • BUS + local authority top-up: Generally yes, you can combine these
  • HES grant + HES loan (Scotland): Yes, these are designed to work together
  • Nest + BUS: Typically not combined, as Nest covers the full cost for eligible households

The golden rule is: you cannot use two grants to fund the same part of the work, but top-up grants and loans designed to complement main grants are usually fine.

Grants for Landlords

Landlords can access the BUS grant in England and Wales, subject to the same eligibility criteria as owner-occupiers. There is no property value cap for the BUS grant, but landlords should be aware that some local authority schemes may have restrictions.

Social housing landlords (councils and housing associations) can access funding through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, which provides substantial grants for heat pump installations across their housing stock.

How Much Will You Actually Pay?

Let us look at some realistic scenarios to show what you might pay after grants:

Typical Air Source Heat Pump — England

  • Total installation cost: £12,000
  • BUS grant: -£7,500
  • You pay: £4,500

Typical Air Source Heat Pump — Scotland

  • Total installation cost: £12,000
  • HES grant: -£7,500
  • HES interest-free loan: -£4,500
  • You pay upfront: £0 (then repay the loan interest-free over up to 10 years)

ECO4 Eligible Household — England

  • Total installation cost: £12,000
  • ECO4 funding: -£12,000
  • You pay: £0

The actual cost of your heat pump installation will depend on the system size, complexity of the installation, and your location. Use our heat pump calculator to get a personalised estimate.

Tips for Maximising Your Grant

  • Get your EPC sorted first. The BUS grant requires a valid EPC. If yours recommends loft or cavity wall insulation, get those done before applying.
  • Use an MCS-certified installer. This is mandatory for the BUS grant and HES grants. Check the MCS website to verify your installer's certification.
  • Get multiple quotes. Use our free quote service to compare MCS-certified installers in your area.
  • Check local schemes. You might be able to top up your BUS grant with local authority funding.
  • Do not delay. Grant budgets are allocated annually and schemes can change at short notice.
  • Check your benefits. If you receive any means-tested benefits, you may qualify for fully funded installation through ECO4 or Nest.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main heat pump grant in 2026?

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is the main grant, offering £7,500 towards an air source or ground source heat pump in England and Wales. In Scotland, Home Energy Scotland offers up to £7,500 in grants plus £7,500 in interest-free loans.

Can I get a free heat pump?

Yes, if you are on a low income or receive means-tested benefits. The ECO4 scheme, Welsh Nest scheme, and some local authority programmes can cover the full cost. See our free heat pump guide.

Do I apply for the BUS grant myself?

No. Your MCS-certified installer applies on your behalf through Ofgem. The grant is paid to the installer and deducted from your bill.

Can landlords get a heat pump grant?

Yes. Landlords are eligible for the BUS grant in England and Wales under the same terms as owner-occupiers.

Which grant is available in Scotland?

Home Energy Scotland offers up to £7,500 as a grant plus up to £7,500 as an interest-free loan. This is the most generous package in the UK. See our Scotland grants guide.

Can I combine different grants?

You generally cannot combine two main grants (e.g., BUS and ECO4), but you can often combine the BUS grant with local authority top-up funding. Scotland's HES grant and loan are designed to be used together.

How long does the BUS grant application take?

Typically two to four weeks from your installer submitting the application to receiving approval from Ofgem.

Is the BUS grant still available in 2026?

Yes. The scheme has been extended to March 2028.

Ready to find out what you would pay after grants? Use our heat pump cost calculator or get free quotes from MCS-certified installers in your area. You can also check if heat pumps are worth it for your home or read our complete installation guide.