Free Heat Pumps: Who Actually Qualifies for a Fully Funded Install
A completely free heat pump is not a myth, but it only works for certain properties. The £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant is paid per install, not per property size, so on a small home where the whole job costs £7,500 or less, the grant covers everything and you pay £0. There is no means test and you do not need to be on benefits. The sweet spot is 1 and 2 bedroom flats and small houses, especially those heated by electric storage heaters.
Quick Answer
Some UK homes can get a heat pump installed completely free. The £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant (England and Wales) is a flat amount per install, so on 1-2 bed flats and small homes where the full job quotes at £7,500 or less, there is nothing left to pay. Anyone who owns their home can use it, with no means test and no benefits requirement. Off-gas homes on oil or LPG get £9,000 until 31 March 2027.
Scheme details current as of July 2026. Always check the official scheme pages.
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
How a heat pump can cost you nothing
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme pays the same £7,500 towards an air source heat pump whether you live in a five bedroom house or a one bedroom flat. Install costs are not flat, though: a large house might need a 12kW unit and new radiators, while a small flat needs a 4-5kW unit and a much simpler day or two of work. When the full quote lands at or under £7,500, the grant swallows the entire cost. Since April 2026, installers must deduct the grant from your quote upfront, so a fully funded job means you never hand over anything.
| Property | Typical install cost | Grant | You pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 bed flat, electric storage heaters | £6,500 to £8,000 | £7,500 | £0 to £500 |
| 2-3 bed terrace, gas combi | £8,000 to £11,000 | £7,500 | £500 to £3,500 |
| 3-4 bed off-gas home on oil or LPG | £9,000 to £13,000 | £9,000 (until Mar 2027) | £0 to £4,000 |
| 4+ bed detached, gas | £11,000 to £15,000+ | £7,500 | £3,500 to £7,500+ |
Costs vary by installer and property, so treat these as guide ranges. See our heat pump cost guide for a full breakdown. Some national installers advertise heat pumps from £0 or from £500 on exactly this basis: our Octopus heat pump review explains how that pricing works.
Homes off the gas grid get an even bigger window. From 21 July 2026 until 31 March 2027, properties heated by oil or LPG with no mains gas connection get £9,000 instead of £7,500 towards an air source or ground source heat pump, which pushes many mid-sized off-gas homes into free or nearly free territory.
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Get a Quote →Who qualifies: the checklist
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme has no income or benefits test. The eligibility rules are about the property, not you:
- You own the property, in England or Wales. Landlords and second homes count; social housing does not.
- The heat pump replaces a fossil fuel or electric heating system: gas, oil, LPG or direct electric. Electric storage heaters, common in 1-2 bed flats, qualify.
- The system is fitted by an MCS-certified installer using an MCS-certified heat pump. The installer applies to Ofgem for you.
- The property is an existing building, not a new build (self-builds are the exception).
- No EPC needed since April 2026: a recent utility bill plus photos of your current heating system now count as evidence.
- In a flat, you need the freeholder's consent and a suitable spot for the outdoor unit.
The full £7,500 applies to air-to-water heat pumps, the kind that runs radiators and hot water. If your flat has no wet central heating, an air-to-air heat pump is now also covered, but only at £2,500, so those installs are cheaper but rarely free.
The catches to know about
"Free" is real but conditional. Before you sign anything, check the quote against these:
Free only if the quote stays under £7,500
The grant is capped, not the job. If the survey turns up extra work such as radiator upgrades, a hot water cylinder or electrical work, the quote can climb past £7,500 and you pay the difference. Get the full itemised quote before committing.
Air-to-water only for the full grant
£7,500 is for air-to-water and ground source systems. Air-to-air units get £2,500. If an offer sounds free, confirm which type is being quoted.
Flats need consent and space
Leaseholders need the freeholder's permission, and the outdoor unit needs a compliant location. This is the most common reason a flat install falls through, so raise it with the freeholder early.
One grant per property
A property that has already had government heat pump funding cannot claim again. The install must also complete within 120 days of the voucher being approved.
On benefits or a low income? There is a second route
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme route above needs no benefits at all, but if your household is on a low income or qualifying benefits there are schemes that can fully fund a heat pump on larger properties too. The ECO4 obligation, which funds free heating upgrades through the big energy suppliers, has been extended and now runs until 31 December 2026. Alongside it, the Warm Homes: Local Grant offers up to £15,000 of energy upgrades through participating English councils for eligible low-income households.
These schemes are means-tested and typically target homes with poor energy ratings, so eligibility is narrower than the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, but the funding is larger. If you rent, they are also the main route, since the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is only open to the property owner.
Free heat pumps in Scotland
Scotland is not covered by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, but the route to a fully funded install is arguably easier: Home Energy Scotland offers a grant of up to £7,500 (£9,000 for eligible rural and island homes) plus an interest-free loan on top. The grant and loan together can cover the entire install cost, with the loan portion repaid over time at 0% interest. See our heat pump grants guide for the full Scotland picture.
Free Heat Pump FAQ
Can you really get a free heat pump in the UK?
Yes, for some properties. The £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant is a flat amount per install, so on small homes where the whole job costs £7,500 or less, typically 1-2 bed flats and small houses, the grant covers everything and you pay nothing. The installer deducts the grant from the quote upfront.
Do I need to be on benefits to get a free heat pump?
No. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme has no means test and no benefits requirement. Anyone who owns a property in England or Wales can use it, including landlords and second-home owners. The only question is whether the install quote comes in at or under the grant amount.
Can I get a free heat pump in a flat?
Flats are the most likely properties to qualify for a fully funded install, because a small flat needs a small heat pump and a simple install that can quote under £7,500. Flats with electric storage heaters qualify. You do need the freeholder's consent if you are a leaseholder, plus a suitable spot for the outdoor unit.
What is the catch with free heat pump offers?
The grant is capped at £7,500, not the job. If the survey adds radiator upgrades, a hot water cylinder or electrical work, the quote can exceed the grant and you pay the difference. The full £7,500 also only applies to air-to-water systems; air-to-air heat pumps get £2,500. Always get the itemised quote first.
What is the £9,000 heat pump grant?
From 21 July 2026 until 31 March 2027, homes heated by oil or LPG with no mains gas connection get £9,000 instead of £7,500 towards an air source or ground source heat pump under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. That pushes many mid-sized off-gas homes close to a fully funded install.
Do I need an EPC to get the heat pump grant?
Not any more. Since April 2026 the Boiler Upgrade Scheme no longer requires a valid EPC. A recent utility bill plus photographs of your current heating system now count as evidence instead.
Is there a free heat pump scheme in Scotland?
Scotland runs its own system: a Home Energy Scotland grant of up to £7,500 (£9,000 rural and island) plus an interest-free loan on top. The combination can cover the whole install, with the loan part repaid at 0% interest.
Can I get a free heat pump on benefits?
Yes, through a different route. ECO4, extended to 31 December 2026, funds free heating upgrades through energy suppliers for low-income and benefits households, and the Warm Homes: Local Grant offers up to £15,000 through participating English councils. These are means-tested but can fully fund larger homes than the Boiler Upgrade Scheme route.
Related Guides
Heat Pump Grants
The £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme, Scotland grants, and 0% VAT.
Heat Pump Cost
Full price breakdown by type and home size, plus running costs.
Air Source Heat Pumps
Cost, best brands, running costs, and pros and cons for UK homes.
Air to Air Heat Pumps
Warm-air heat pumps vs air to water: cost, cooling, and grant eligibility.
Octopus Heat Pump
Octopus heat pump cost, the Cosy tariff, and how installers compare.
Heat Pumps
Air source & ground source heat pumps: costs, BUS grant up to £7,500.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
- Ofgem: Boiler Upgrade Scheme
- Home Energy Scotland: Grants & Loans
Last updated: August 2026
John Rooney is the founder of Solar Info and has been covering the UK solar energy market since 2023. He researches every battery and inverter brand against manufacturer datasheets, MCS and Ofgem data, and feedback from the MCS-certified installers in our directory before publishing.
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