Your MCS-certified installer applies for the grant and takes it off the upfront price. Check the technology, property and installer against the current scheme rules before comparing net costs.
The current grant amounts
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is for eligible properties in England and Wales. The standard grant is £7,500 for an air-to-water heat pump and £7,500 for a ground or water source heat pump. An eligible air-to-air heat pump can receive £2,500. From 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027, an eligible off-gas-grid home replacing oil or LPG heating may qualify for £9,000 instead. The increased amount has specific conditions, so do not assume every off-grid property qualifies.
The scheme normally supports one grant per property. It does not fund a hybrid heat pump that keeps a fossil-fuel boiler as part of the heating system. These are scheme rules and amounts as checked in October 2026; confirm the current GOV.UK page when you apply.
You do not submit the voucher application yourself
Choose an MCS-certified installer and have the property assessed. The installer applies to Ofgem for the voucher and should show the grant as a discount on your quote and invoice. Ofgem then asks you to confirm your consent, typically within 14 days. That consent allows the application to proceed; it is not, by itself, a contract to accept the installer.
After voucher approval, there are deadlines to complete the work. The published time limits are generally three months for an air source installation and six months for a ground or water source installation. Ask the installer to explain the project schedule and what happens if the voucher expires.
Compare the full installed price, then the price you pay
A £7,500 discount is meaningful, but it does not tell you whether the original quote is fair or whether crucial work has been left out. Ask for the gross installed cost, the grant deduction and the final amount payable. Check the heat loss assessment, any radiator or cylinder changes, electrical work, commissioning, handover and warranty in the same document.
Government evaluation found that 57% of surveyed grant recipients obtained more than one quote. Comparing several survey-led designs can reveal major differences in scope, even when the proposed outdoor units look similar.
What to verify for your home
Check the current eligibility rules for the property, existing heating, installer certification and proposed system before treating the discount as certain. The installer should confirm the energy performance and technical requirements that apply to your project. If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, ask about the separate support available there; the Boiler Upgrade Scheme described here covers England and Wales.
A note about the numbers
Prices, grants and tariffs can change. The dated figures above come from the linked sources and are examples unless explicitly described as a published average. Your installer should assess your property before giving a final design or quotation.