The Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant has just risen to £9,000. Find out what’s changed and what to do next. 

Here’s the thing about oil heating. The price isn’t set by your energy supplier, or by Ofgem, or by anyone in the UK. It moves with global commodity markets. Which means every time something kicks off somewhere in the world, your heating bill goes up. You have no say in it whatsoever. 

But there is something you can do about it. 

From 21 July 2026, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant for oil and LPG households has risen from £7,500 to £9,000 – the highest level of support available anywhere in England and Wales. If you’ve been weighing up a heat pump, this is your window. 

Worried about electricity costs? Those who’ve made the switch don’t regret it. Surveys consistently show satisfaction rates among heat pump owners match or beat gas boilers. And for every unit of electricity a heat pump uses, it produces three to four units of heat. Pair one with solar panels and you can offset some of that cost with power you generate yourself.

What does it actually feel like to make the switch? 

Adrian, from Carmarthenshire, was in exactly this position. His oil boiler reached the end of its life and replacing it would have meant moving the oil tank into the middle of his driveway. Not ideal. He wasn’t looking to make an eco statement, just needed a practical solution for his detached stone house built in the 1800s.

The heat pump installation took around three days. The results were immediate. “The house has never been so warm,” he said. “We’ve had temperatures down to -6°C this winter and it was still warm in the house. The technology is amazing. I’d say to go for it.”

Catherine, from Essex, made the switch as part of a major renovation. Seven years on, the verdict is straightforward: “It’s just ticked along nicely.” Quiet, reliable, low maintenance. Not exciting, which is exactly what you want from your heating system.

A few things worth knowing before you apply 

A heat pump installation isn’t something you can arrange overnight. You’ll want quotes, a survey, and an installer with availability. If you’re on oil or LPG and even thinking about the switch, now is the time to start those conversations, not in February when you’re cold and your boiler has just given up. 

The higher grant only applies to new applications submitted from 21 July 2026. According to the Energy Saving Trust, the uplift runs until 31 March 2027 (though we’d recommend checking the latest position on GOV.UK for latest details). If you already hold a voucher at the previous £7,500 rate, you’d need to cancel it and reapply to access the extra £1,500.

Leaflets are landing on the doormats of around 200,000 eligible homes this week. If yours isn’t one of them, you can check your eligibility and find an MCS-certified installer via the Boiler Upgrade Scheme pages on GOV.UK. Click button below.