Worried you can’t get help with heat pump costs because you don’t qualify for ECO4? Here’s some great news: you absolutely can! There are loads of other grants and funding options waiting for you.
Why Would You Want to Skip ECO4 Anyway?
Let’s be honest – ECO4 sounds great in theory. But what if your household income sits just above £31,000? What if your home has a decent energy rating? Suddenly, you’re stuck in that frustrating middle ground. You earn too much for ECO4 but not enough to easily afford a £15,000 heat pump installation.
Sound familiar? You’re definitely not alone.
The Big Winner: Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Here’s where things get exciting. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is basically the government’s way of saying, “We really want you to get a heat pump.” And they’re putting their money where their mouth is.
What’s on offer?
- £7,500 for air source heat pumps
- £7,500 for ground source heat pumps
- £5,000 for biomass boilers (but only in rural areas)
The best part? There are no income restrictions. Own your home? Great! You could qualify. Are you a landlord? Even better, you can apply for multiple properties.
But here’s something important to remember. This scheme runs until March 2028. However, demand is growing fast. Really fast. We’re talking about 10% monthly increases in applications. Will the money last until 2028? Nobody knows for sure.
Scotland Gets Even Better Deals
Think £7,500 sounds good? Scotland takes it up a notch.
The Home Energy Scotland scheme offers:
- £7,500 grant for heat pumps
- Plus an extra £1,500 if you live in a rural area
- Plus a £7,500 interest-free loan option
Do the math. Rural Scottish homeowners could get up to £16,500 in total support. That’s enough to cover most heat pump installations completely!
What About Wales and Northern Ireland?
Wales recently launched their Warm Homes Local Grant scheme. Starting April 2025, they’re offering up to £15,000 for energy upgrades including heat pumps. Not bad, right?
Northern Ireland runs the NISEP scheme. Depending on your income, you might get your heat pump fully funded. Even if you don’t qualify for full funding, there’s still a 40% cashback option.
Don’t Forget Your Local Area
Here’s something many people miss. Your local council might have extra funding available.
Take the West of England, for example. They offer up to £30,000 grants for businesses. That’s on top of national schemes!
Many councils run their own top-up schemes too. Why not give yours a quick call? You might be pleasantly surprised.
Energy Companies Want to Help Too
Ever wondered why your energy supplier keeps emailing you about heat pumps? They’re not just being annoying – they’re offering real savings.
EDF Energy knocks £1,000 off their heat pump systems. Plus, their special tariff could save you another £1,500 over time.
Octopus Energy promises annual savings up to £300. They’re also pushing hard for the government’s Warm Homes Plan.
British Gas now offers complete heat pump packages from £4,999. That includes everything you need to get started.
Can’t Afford the Upfront Cost? No Problem
What if grants don’t cover everything? Or what if you want to get started before your grant comes through?
Several companies now offer finance options:
Aira lets you spread costs over 5-10 years at 9.9% APR. No deposit needed. Monthly payments start from just £88.55.
Octopus Energy partners with Novuna for similar deals. Quick online applications with instant decisions.
Fornax offers something completely different – a subscription model. Zero upfront costs, and they handle all maintenance too.
How Do You Actually Apply?
The process is simpler than you might think:
- Check your Energy Performance Certificate – Most schemes need this
- Find an MCS-certified installer – This is crucial for almost every grant
- Get quotes – Compare different options and installers
- Apply for grants – Your installer usually handles this
- Get your heat pump installed – Enjoy lower bills!
Time is Running Out (Seriously)
Remember that growing demand we mentioned? It’s creating real pressure on funding. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme might run out of money before 2028. Local schemes often work on a first-come, first-served basis.
Plus, some great deals won’t last forever. Heat pumps currently have 0% VAT until March 2027. That alone could save you thousands.
Your Next Steps
So what should you do right now?
Start by checking which schemes you qualify for. Get your Energy Performance Certificate if you don’t have one. Find local MCS-certified installers and get quotes.
Most importantly, don’t wait. With government funding of £6 billion committed through 2028, and a target of 600,000 heat pump installations per year, there’s never been a better time to make the switch. If you’re unsure where to start, consider exploring options for the best air source heat pump to ensure maximum efficiency and long-term value.
The money is there. The technology works. The only question is: will you take advantage before everyone else does? Your warm, low-carbon future is just a grant application away.
