Homeowners throughout the region can now afford to install a heat pump. In Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire, an air source heat pump grant East Anglia will lower the outlay costs of replacing an older gas boiler with a clean, energy-efficient heating system.
Revolutionise Your Home Heating System with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The standard Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant is £7,500 for eligible air-to-water and ground-source heat pumps. From 21 July 2026, eligible off-gas-grid homes — such as those on heating oil — may qualify for £9,000. You can view the current grant amounts and rules for property owners on the official Boiler Upgrade Scheme website.
“This £1,500 uplift will make the transition significantly more affordable for the thousands of oil-heated homes.”
Charlotte Lee, CEO, Heat Pump Association UK
How the Boiler Upgrade Scheme Works
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is the primary government grant that seeks to assist households with the overall cost of installing an air source heat pump or a ground source system. The grant will not finance the entire price but will bring the overall pricing down to an affordable range for many households that are planning ahead. Importantly, the scheme is installer-led — you do not apply directly. Your installer applies to Ofgem, and the grant appears as an upfront discount on your quote and final invoice. Your installer must hold MCS certification to submit a BUS application; you can verify any installer using the MCS Find an Installer directory.
From 21 July 2026 the grant rose to £9,000 for air-to-water or ground-source heat pumps at off-gas-grid homes that replace oil or LPG systems. This uplift runs until 31 March 2027. Homes on mains gas or replacing electric heating stay at the standard £7,500 rate.
“This uplift is an important step in making heat pumps more accessible to rural households.”
Ian Rippin, CEO, MCS
Details on current eligibility are available on the Ofgem website. A heat pump will help reduce energy bills, reduce carbon emissions, and improve comfort through the cold weather months. Most homes will also achieve a higher EPC rating because heat pumps use less energy output even when upgrading from gas. This will yield higher savings on running costs and can support property value too. If you would like reassurance of long term sustainability and reliability with your heating system then it’s worth exploring the grant route.
How Do the Air Source Heat Pump Grant East Anglia Schemes Work?
Simple checks. Clear guidance. Local support. The types of grants depend on which type of heat pump, your home and the insulation in place. Most homes in East Anglia will have a free survey completed at the beginning. The free survey will confirm if you have enough loft insulation or cavity wall insulation to be eligible for any government grant. Warm Homes Suffolk and the Great British Insulation Scheme help with extra insulation where it is required.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme covers air source heat pumps and ground source heat pump systems. Air source models are the more common option as they suit a larger number of properties and often have a lower installation cost. According to the Energy Saving Trust, heat pumps move heat rather than generate it and can deliver roughly three to four units of heat per unit of electricity consumed. Real-world performance depends on outdoor temperature, system design, emitter sizing and insulation quality — your installer should provide a seasonal-performance estimate before work begins.
One thing worth knowing: existing radiators may need upgrading. Heat pumps typically run at lower flow temperatures than gas boilers, so oversized or upgraded radiators help the system perform well. The Energy Saving Trust’s guidance on efficient heat pump operation explains this clearly. Your installer should assess radiator sizing as part of the initial survey.
The installers will explain how the scheme works, what the grant covers, and how the prices differ on the property. Government grant money provides funds up front so you can begin saving immediately on your energy bills and on the journey for a more efficient and sustainable way to provide heating.
Benefits of a Boiler Upgrade for EPC
Higher Efficiency. Lower Cost to Run. Better Performance.
Heat pumps are effective in improving energy efficiency across the home. They collect heat energy from outside air and deliver it into your property using electric power. This helps to reduce energy use, lower carbon footprints and improve your energy performance certificate rating. Homes with good loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and solar panels tend to see the strongest results — properly insulated homes benefit the heat pump and establish higher efficiency compared to poorly insulated ones.
Running costs are not guaranteed to fall in every home. They depend on the fuel being replaced, your electricity tariff, insulation levels, controls and the quality of the installation design.
A Norwich homeowner, Lucy, who installed a Viessmann Vitocal 222-A 16kW air-source heat pump in a Victorian terraced house, reported a “lovely stable temperature” and a 25% year-on-year November energy-bill reduction — though she also had solar panels and battery storage. MCS documents her case study here as an individual example, not a typical outcome.
A good EPC rating will also make your home marketable when you decide to sell or rent. An EPC standards lags behind with the UK government improving standards. Many more homes see a reduction in the majority of their energy bills once heat pumps are installed and the area is set with appropriate controls.
Ready to See if You Are Eligible for an Air Source Heat Pump Grant East Anglia
We are a Grant UK G1 Installer and cover Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and East Anglia. Our company director Matthew Dillon and the Aspect Group Services team will check whether you qualify for one of the grants for a heat pump in East Anglia and provide a breakdown of costs and expected savings on running cost and EPC rating improvement. We will also provide professional guidance on insulation, heating controls and the best heating set up for your property. You can verify our MCS installer status using the MCS directory.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Boiler Upgrade
How much is the air source heat pump grant East Anglia, and is it still available?
Yes, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is continuing for eligible housing in England and Wales, including properties in East Anglia. Most eligible homeowners receive a standard grant of £7,500 for an air-to-water or ground-source system. From July 2026, off-gas-grid homes replacing oil or LPG heating may qualify for an increased £9,000 grant. The funds are applied as an upfront deduction on your installation quote. You can check the current eligibility criteria here or verify current amounts on the GOV.UK grant page.
What types of heat pumps qualify for a grant?
Air-to-water and ground-source heat pumps are eligible for the £7,500 or £9,000 grant. Air-to-air heat pumps attract a lower £2,500 grant. Hybrid systems that combine a fossil-fuel boiler with a heat pump do not qualify. Your installer must be MCS-certified and size the heat pump to meet your property’s full space-heating needs.
Do I apply for the boiler upgrade scheme myself?
No, the process is completely installer-led. Your chosen MCS-certified installer handles the application with Ofgem on your behalf. You simply need to confirm your consent and eligibility when contacted by the scheme administrators. Eligibility and grant availability, including confirmation that your home meets the insulation standard and heating layout requirements, are checked at your free survey before installation takes place.
Does the government grant cover the full cost of the installation?
The grant is a fixed contribution towards the overall project rather than a free heating system. Your total costs will depend on factors like cylinder sizing, electrical work, and whether your existing radiators need upgrading. You can review typical pricing factors in our guide to heat pump costs to see what to expect.
Can I keep my gas boiler as backup and still get the grant?
No, hybrid setups are specifically excluded from this funding. The new installation must entirely replace your fossil-fuel or electric heating system. Ofgem rules state the heat pump must be sized to meet your full space-heating needs.
Will I need extra insulation to qualify for funding?
The official rules focus heavily on the property and system meeting specific criteria rather than demanding a mandatory EPC insulation pass. However, a whole-house heat-loss assessment is vital for correct sizing and lower running costs. We check your current home energy performance during your free initial survey.
Do I need planning permission for an installation in Norfolk or Suffolk?
Many standard domestic installations fall under permitted development, meaning no formal planning application is required. Exceptions do apply for listed buildings, flats, and conservation areas. Your installer will check these local constraints before any work begins.
