Looking for ways to reduce your carbon footprint and reduce your rising energy bills? Now is the perfect time to go green and future proof your home. With the launch of the Government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme and the recent announcement of zero VAT on energy-saving measures, perhaps now is the time to look at exchanging your fossil fuel boiler for a low-carbon alternative.
What is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
The UK government has recently launched the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which will provide grants of £5,000 to households across England and Wales, to incentivise homeowners to exchange their fossil fuel boilers for a low-carbon alternative, such as air source heat pumps.
This scheme, which will be administered by Ofgem and expected to run for three years, is designed to make installing energy efficient green heating systems, like air source heat pumps, an affordable option.
Why are the Government funding boiler upgrades?
Climate change is becoming ever more apparent. Over the last twenty years, across the globe, we’ve seen the warmest years on record. Our usual weather conditions are changing, with more rain fall or an increase in normal temperatures.
The UK government has put plans in place to help combat climate change and has set a target to achieve net zero by 2050. A keyway to achieve this, is to insulate homes across the UK and change the way we heat our homes, by exchanging fossil fuel boilers for low-carbon alternatives, such as air source heat pumps.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme, therefore, forms part of a wider plan to move away from a reliance on fossil fuel, by incentivising homeowners to adopt a new greener way of heating their homes.
What are the Government targets for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
The government has made available £450 million over the 3-years the Boiler Upgrade Scheme will run. This means, approximately 90,000 homeowners across England and Wales will be able to benefit from the £5,000 grant.
What’s the qualifying criteria?
Luckily, the government has made the qualifying criteria simple, which makes the scheme accessible. To qualify:
- You will need to be an owner occupier living in England or Wales
- Your home will need to have a valid EPC with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation.
- Only properties which are fully replacing existing fossil fuel systems will be eligible for support.
If you are looking to take advantage of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, it is important to assess whether your home is adequately insulated beforehand. Energy-saving insulation measures, such as cavity wall and loft insulation, will reduce the heat loss from your home and maximise how effective a newly installed air source heat pump will be.
When can I apply for the Boiler Upgrade Grant?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is open for grant applications from the 23rd May 2022. Although, if you are already in the process of having a low-carbon heating system installed (after 1st April 2022), then you will be entitled to support.
How will the scheme work?
Once you have chosen your installer and an assessment has been carried out to check your home is suitable and you fit the eligibility criteria, the installer will apply for the grant on your behalf. The value of the grant will be discounted off the price you pay.
How do I find a reputable installer to install an air source heat pump?
Installers will have to register with Ofgem (the scheme administrator) in order to part of and deliver through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and to be able to access the grants on behalf of homeowners.
You will be able to find an MCS installer (that’s the accreditation an installer will need to have to install an air source heat pump) in your area.
What are air source heat pumps and how do they work?
Air source heat pumps (ASHP) are appliances that use a refrigerant process to absorb heat from the outside air and then transfer that heat into a building’s water or heating system.
It’s a device that can be used in both cold and warm climates to heat or cool buildings, making it a versatile option for both residential and commercial properties. Air source heat pumps are also more efficient than traditional heating systems, using very little electricity to run.
What is the average cost of an air source heat pump?
Installing an air source heat pump in your home can cost anywhere between £7,000 and £13,000. If you are eligible for the grant, you will have £5,000 towards the cost, leaving a shortfall for you to fund yourself.
The government is hoping in the next few years, the costs to install an air source pump will reduce, making it an affordable option for more households looking to reduce their carbon footprint and make the switch.
