Increased funding for greener, cooler homes

Air source heat pump outside brick house with text: Boiler Upgrade Scheme, grant now £7,500, applications tripled. From DESNZ. Credit: DESNZ

The Government’s £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) has been extended, now supporting a wider range of technologies to help make homes more energy efficient – keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer.

For the first time, air-to-air heat pumps are eligible for government funding. These units provide both heating and cooling, allowing residents to enjoy comfortable homes during hot summers without relying on fossil fuels. Households can now receive a £2,500 discount on the installation of an air-to-air heat pump, which typically costs around £4,500 for a flat or small house – meaning the grant covers most of the upfront cost.

In addition, households can claim £2,500 off the price of heat batteries, which store heat overnight for use during the day. The scheme is also consulting on alternative low-carbon heating options, such as storage heaters, infrared panels, and renewable liquid fuels, to ensure every household can find a suitable solution.

The BUS grant is available to all households until 2028, as part of the government’s £13.2 billion Warm Homes Plan, aiming to reduce bills for 5 million families and support more energy-efficient, comfortable, and healthy homes.

For more information and guidance on the available technologies, visit the Energy Saving Trust’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme page.

To check if your home is heat pump ready and find a local qualified installer, visit thermly.co.uk.