The £7,500 heat pump grant explained (and what you actually pay)
22 August 2026 · 7 min read
Who qualifies for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, how we apply it for you, and what an air source heat pump really costs after the £7,500 is deducted.
What the grant is
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives £7,500 towards an air source heat pump on an existing home in England and Wales. It is paid to the installer, not to you, which means it comes straight off your quote — you never have to claim it back.
Only MCS-certified installers can apply. We are MCS certified and handle the paperwork as part of the job.
What you actually pay
For a typical 3-bed home around Bexley, Sidcup or Dartford, an air source heat pump installation starts from £2,000 after the grant is applied. The final figure depends on radiator sizing, cylinder position and where the outdoor unit can sit.
- From £2,000 after grant for a straightforward retrofit
- Radiator upgrades where flow temperatures need lowering
- Two to three days on site for most installs
Running costs versus gas
A modern heat pump delivers around 3-4 units of heat per unit of electricity. Against an ageing gas combi the saving is modest but real; against direct electric or storage heaters — common on all-electric Dartford and Thamesmead developments — the reduction is dramatic.
Pair it with solar and the sums improve further, because a share of the electricity driving the heat pump comes off your own roof.
Is your home suitable?
We check insulation, radiator output, pipework and outdoor unit placement, then design to a flow temperature your emitters can actually deliver. If your property needs work first, we say so before you commit.
Common questions
Do I have to claim the £7,500 myself?
No. We apply on your behalf and deduct it from the quote, so you only ever pay the balance.
Will a heat pump work with my existing radiators?
Often yes, though some rooms may need a larger radiator to run at lower flow temperatures. We check every room at survey.