A temporary higher heat pump grant starts on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, for some homes and small businesses in England and Wales that are off the gas grid and still use heating oil or LPG.

The change matters because the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is installer-led. Property owners do not claim the money directly; an MCS-certified installer applies for the voucher and deducts the grant from the upfront quote if the project qualifies.

Under the new GOV.UK grant values, eligible off-gas properties replacing an oil or LPG heating system can get £9,000 toward an air-to-water heat pump or a ground source heat pump. Ofgem says the higher amount is available from July 21, 2026, until March 31, 2027.

Do this first

  • Check whether the property is in England or Wales and classed as off the gas grid.
  • Confirm the current heating system. The £9,000 rate is aimed at oil or LPG replacements, not a routine gas-boiler swap.
  • Use an MCS-certified installer, because the installer applies for and redeems the voucher.
  • Ask for the quote to show the grant deduction clearly before you agree to the work.

What qualifies

The official notice lists £9,000 for an air-to-water heat pump in an off-gas property replacing LPG or oil heating, and £9,000 for a ground source heat pump replacing LPG or oil heating. Other Boiler Upgrade Scheme amounts still apply: £7,500 for many air-to-water, ground source or water source heat pump projects, £2,500 for air-to-air heat pumps for residential properties, and £5,000 for biomass boilers.

Energy Saving Trust says homeowners and small business owners generally need to own the property, be replacing a fossil-fuel system or eligible electric heating without a heat pump, and use an installer who is both MCS certified and part of an approved consumer code.

What to check before signing

Ask at least three installers for comparable quotes if you can. The grant reduces the upfront price, but it does not automatically make every design good value. Check the proposed heat pump type, radiator or insulation changes, hot-water plan, warranty, maintenance costs and what happens if the voucher is not approved.

Also check the geography. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is not available in Scotland or Northern Ireland, where separate funding routes may exist. If a salesperson says you can claim the £9,000 grant yourself, treat that as a warning sign and verify the process with Ofgem or GOV.UK before paying a deposit.

What happens next

The higher off-gas grant is temporary, so demand could rise quickly once installers start submitting July 21 applications. The practical move is not to rush into the first quote, but to gather eligibility evidence, compare installers and make sure the voucher value is reflected in writing before work begins.