£9,000 Heat Pump Grant Announced for Off-Grid Homes

A Major Opportunity for Oil and LPG Heated Properties

The Government has announced a significant increase to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) for homes that are not connected to the gas network.

From summer 2026, eligible homes currently heated by oil or LPG will be able to access a grant of up to £9,000 towards the installation of an air source or ground source heat pump.

This is an increase of £1,500 compared with the standard Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant and has been introduced to help households that are most exposed to volatile fossil fuel prices.

For many rural and off-grid homes, this could be the best opportunity yet to switch to low-carbon heating.

Who Qualifies?

The £9,000 grant is aimed at:

• Homes not connected to the mains gas network

• Properties currently heated by oil

• Properties currently heated by LPG

• Eligible homes installing an air source heat pump

• Eligible homes installing a ground source heat pump

Homes currently heated by mains gas remain eligible for the standard £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant.

When Will It Be Available?

The Government announced the grant increase on 21 April 2026.

The uplift is expected to apply for a one-year period, making this a limited-time opportunity for qualifying off-grid households.

As with the existing Boiler Upgrade Scheme, the grant is applied directly through an MCS-certified installer and appears as a discount on the installation cost rather than a payment made to the homeowner.

Why Is This Important?

Many off-grid homes rely on oil or LPG for heating.

These fuels can be expensive, difficult to budget for and heavily affected by global energy markets.

Heat pumps offer:

• Lower carbon emissions

• Reduced reliance on fossil fuels

• Stable long-term running costs

• Improved energy independence

• Compatibility with solar PV and battery storage

When combined with a solar and battery system, a heat pump can form part of a highly efficient home energy setup.

Recent Changes to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme

Alongside the increased grant for off-grid homes, there have been several other important changes to the scheme:

• Air-to-air heat pumps are now eligible for support

• The EPC requirement has been removed

• The scheme has been extended until 2030

• Grants continue to be applied as an upfront discount

These changes are designed to make heat pumps more accessible to a wider range of properties.

Is a Heat Pump Right for Your Home?

Every property is different.

The suitability of a heat pump depends on factors such as:

• Current heating system

• Insulation levels

• Property size

• Hot water demand

• Available outdoor space

• Existing renewable technologies

At M+S Renewables, we can assess your property and explain whether a heat pump could work for you, how much grant funding may be available and how it could integrate with solar PV, battery storage and EV charging.

Speak to M+S Renewables

If your home is heated by oil or LPG and you are interested in taking advantage of the £9,000 grant, now is a good time to start exploring your options.

Our team can provide advice, surveys and quotations to help you understand whether a heat pump is the right solution for your property.

Useful Sources

Boiler Upgrade Scheme (GOV.UK)https://www.gov.uk/apply-boiler-upgrade-scheme

Ofgem – Boiler Upgrade Schemehttps://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-and-social-schemes/boiler-upgrade-scheme-bus