Last updated
- 21 July 2026
Grant now live
A Guide for Devon, Cornwall and Somerset
Since 21 July 2026, eligible off-gas-grid properties replacing an oil or LPG heating system can receive £9,000 towards an air-to-water or ground source heat pump through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
The £9,000 rate is available until 31 March 2027. To receive it, the voucher application must be made on or after 21 July 2026 and meet Ofgem’s eligibility requirements. Simple Solar takes care of the application process for you.
This guide explains what the grant is, precisely who qualifies for the higher amount, what a heat pump is likely to cost you after the grant, and how to take the next step.
Contents
- What is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
- What changed on 21 July 2026?
- Who qualifies for the £9,000 grant?
- Are you off the gas grid?
- Why off-grid homes in the South West are well placed to benefit
- How much does a heat pump cost after the grant?
- Will a heat pump cut my running costs?
- What does installing a heat pump involve?
- How do I apply for the grant?
- Check your eligibility for the £9,000 grant
- Frequently asked questions
- Ready to make the switch?
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
What is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is a government grant in England and Wales that reduces the upfront cost of replacing a fossil fuel heating system with a low-carbon one. It is administered by Ofgem and applies to air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, and biomass boilers in eligible properties.
21 July 2026
What changed on 21 July 2026?
Previously, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme provided £7,500 towards eligible air-to-water and ground source heat pump installations.
From 21 July 2026, eligible off-gas-grid properties replacing an oil or LPG heating system can receive the higher rate of £9,000. The higher rate applies to air-to-water and ground source heat pumps and is available until 31 March 2027.
Other eligible air-to-water and ground source heat pump installations continue to receive £7,500. Air-to-air heat pumps receive £2,500 and are only eligible in residential properties.
Who qualifies for the £9,000 grant?
The higher £9,000 grant is precise about what it covers. It is not simply a grant for “oil and LPG homes”. It depends on three things together:
If you are off the gas grid, but replacing a different system – for example, coal, an electric heating system that is not a heat pump, or a fossil fuel hybrid – the grant for an air-to-water or ground source heat pump is £7,500. Air-to-air heat pumps are funded at £2,500 in all cases.
The table below sets out the headline figures relevant to most South West homeowners:
| Your situation | Heat pump type | Grant from 21 July 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Off-gas grid, replacing oil or LPG | Air-to-water or ground source | £9,000 |
| Off-gas grid, replacing coal, electric or other fossil fuel | Air-to-water or ground source | £7,500 |
| On the mains gas grid | Air-to-water or ground source | £7,500 |
| Eligible residential property | Air-to-air heat pump | £2,500 |
Are you off the gas grid?
For the £9,000 grant, Ofgem’s definition of an off-gas-grid property is stricter than simply heating your home with oil or LPG.
To qualify, the property must not:
- Be fuelled by mains gas
- Have a record of an existing gas meter point
- Be connected to a heat network
- Be a new-build property
A capped or clamped mains gas supply still counts as being fuelled by mains gas. Eligibility can therefore vary between neighbouring properties, and using oil or LPG does not automatically guarantee the £9,000 rate.
The South West has one of the highest concentrations of off-gas-grid homes in England, which is a large part of why the £9,000 uplift is so relevant here.
Why off-grid homes in the South West are well placed to benefit
Across Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset, a large share of homes were built before mains gas networks reached rural areas, and many were never connected.
These households have long carried higher and less predictable heating costs than their gas-connected neighbours, because oil and LPG prices track global markets and sit outside the protection of the energy price cap.
- Devon
- In Devon, around half of residents live in rural communities that are often off the gas network, with tens of thousands of households relying on heating oil as their main fuel.
- Cornwall
- In Cornwall, roughly 14% of households – about 35,000 homes – are off the mains gas grid and depend on oil or LPG.
- Somerset
- Somerset’s picture is similar across its rural uplands and levels. For these homes, the combination of high running costs and a £9,000 grant makes the case for switching to a heat pump unusually strong.
How much does a heat pump cost after the grant?
Simple Solar’s air source heat pump installations start from around £12,000 before any grant is applied. The grant is deducted from that price, so your starting point depends on which grant tier you qualify for.
| On gas grid / other off-grid | Off-grid, replacing oil or LPG from 21 July 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Installed price before grant | £12,000 | £12,000 |
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant | £7,500 | £9,000 |
| Price after grant | £4,500 | £3,000 |
-£9,000
Many households also choose to pair a heat pump with solar panels to reduce the running cost further; you can read more in our guide to heat pumps and solar panels.
Could a heat pump cut my running costs?
A well-designed heat pump may reduce the running costs of an oil- or LPG-heated home, but savings cannot be guaranteed in every property.
The result depends on factors including the price currently paid for oil or LPG, the home’s heat loss, radiator sizes, the heat pump’s efficiency, the electricity tariff, and how the system is operated. Our survey provides a property-specific assessment.
Your exact saving depends on your current fuel price, your home’s insulation, and the electricity tariff you are on.
As a reference point, the average price-capped electricity rate for a customer paying by Direct Debit from 1 July to 30 September 2026 is 26.11p per kWh, including VAT. Actual rates vary by region, payment method and tariff.
What does installing a heat pump involve?
Replacing an oil or LPG boiler with an air source heat pump is a well-established process. In outline:
- A survey assesses your property, heat demand, radiators, and hot water needs, and confirms the right heat pump size.
- An outdoor unit is sited where it has good airflow and is positioned carefully in relation to boundaries, windows, and bedrooms.
- Inside, a hot water cylinder is usually fitted, as heat pumps work best heating water to a steady, moderate temperature.
- The system is commissioned and you are shown how to run it efficiently.
Handled for you
How do I apply for the grant?
An MCS-certified installer like Simple Solar submits the Boiler Upgrade Scheme voucher application on your behalf. However, Ofgem will contact you directly to confirm your consent, identity and eligibility details.
An application is only considered properly made once Ofgem has all the information needed to assess it and the property owner has completed the required consent and identity verification. The £9,000 rate applies to eligible applications properly made on or after 21 July 2026.
For off-grid homes in Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset, the simplest first step is a free survey to confirm your eligibility for the £9,000 rate and the right system for your property.
Help and answers
Frequently asked questions
How much is the heat pump grant for oil and LPG homes?
Since 21 July 2026, eligible off-gas-grid properties replacing oil or LPG can receive £9,000 towards an air-to-water or ground source heat pump. Other eligible properties generally receive £7,500.
When does the £9,000 grant start?
The £9,000 rate took effect on 21 July 2026 and is available until 31 March 2027. It applies to eligible voucher applications properly made on or after 21 July 2026.
Do I qualify if I am on the gas grid?
No. The £9,000 rate is limited to eligible off-gas-grid properties replacing oil or LPG. Homes on the mains gas grid may still receive £7,500 towards an eligible air-to-water or ground source heat pump.
Does the grant cover air-to-air heat pumps?
Eligible air-to-air heat pumps receive £2,500 and can only be installed in residential properties under the scheme. They do not qualify for the £9,000 rate.
How much will a heat pump cost me after the grant?
Simple Solar’s air source heat pump installations start from around £12,000 before the grant. After a £9,000 grant, that is around £3,000; after a £7,500 grant, around £4,500. A survey confirms the exact figure for your home.
Do I have to apply for the grant myself?
An MCS-certified installer like Simple Solar submits the application, but you must complete Ofgem’s consent, identity and eligibility checks. The full grant must be shown as an upfront deduction on the quote and final invoice.
Devon · Cornwall · Somerset
Free survey
Ready to make the switch?
There has rarely been a better time for an off-grid home in the South West to move away from oil or LPG. With the higher Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant now available, the upfront cost of an eligible heat pump can be substantially reduced. The final cost and any running-cost savings depend on the property and system design.
Simple Solar is MCS-certified, works right across Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset, and will handle the grant from start to finish. The first step is a free, no-obligation survey: we’ll confirm whether your home qualifies for the £9,000 rate, recommend the right system, and give you a fixed-price quote with the grant already deducted.
Get in touch today to book your survey and find out exactly what a heat pump could mean for your home and your heating bills.