As the UK pushes toward a greener future, government support of air source heating is making energy-efficient upgrades easier to take on for the home. With several kinds of grants and schemes available, you can get financial support toward purchasing an air source heat pump and its installation at homes. These grants also extend to other renewable technologies, including boilers and insulation, providing multiple ways to reduce carbon footprints and lower energy bills.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is one of the best key initiatives that feature within a wider £3.9 billion fund target to decarbonise homes, with a respective budget of £450 million. In this post, you will learn how to get government support to install air source heating in your home.
What is Air Source Heating?
Air-source heating is a renewable energy technology that absorbs general warmth from surrounding air and transfers it into your home. Functionally, an air source heat pump draws heat from outside air, even at whatever colder temperatures are found, using that air to warm up a home. It mainly consists of both an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, working much like an air conditioner that operates in reverse.
Unlike conventional systems, air source heat pumps are very efficient and may go up to 400% efficiency. They do not burn fuel. Hence, it is rather environmentally friendly. It also hugely cuts your energy bills by offering heating and cooling throughout the year while reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
How Much Does an Air Source Heat Pump Cost?
The cost of air source heat pump installation depends on variables like house size and complications in the installation. Generally, the price ranges from £4,000 to £10,000, but the catch is there are government grants available to help offset that cost.
The cost varies, of course, depending on the type of property. Here is an approximate breakdown of average costs:
- 2-bed bungalow: The average price one can expect to pay is £5,500.
- 3-bed semi-detached or terraced house: up to £6,000
- 4-bed detached house: Up to £7,200
If you cannot afford to bear the upfront cost of an air source heat pump wholly, you do not need to worry. You can get UK government support for installing your air source heating.
How to Get Government Support for Air Source Heating
Those looking to install an air-source heat pump are in luck because more than one government grant can help offset the expense. With ever-increasing energy costs and pressure to cut carbon emissions, the UK government is keen to support the move to eco-friendly heating solutions.
You can get support provided by the UK government through two major schemes:
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is one of the best-funded sources for air source heat pumps across England and Wales. It’s a government-backed scheme to help give prospective homeowners who want to replace heating systems run by fossil fuel more efficient alternatives: air and ground source heat pumps and biomass heating systems.
BUS used to offer a grant of £5,000, but this has now increased up to £7,500. Such grants offset some of the installation costs and hence make the heating eco-friendly for householders.
How to Apply
It’s simple to apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme:
- Contact an MCS certified installer to request a quotation for carrying out the installation.
- Your installer will check your and your property’s eligibility for the grant.
- If eligible, agree to a quote with your chosen installer.
- Your installer will apply on your behalf via the Ofgem website. The grant amount is deducted from your total installation cost.
Your air source heat pump system must be installed and commissioned within 120 days of the grant approval.
2. Energy Company Obligation Scheme (ECO4)
Another older scheme of the government is the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) Scheme. It first started in 2013. It was developed to reduce carbon emissions and help low-income households. Under the ECO4 scheme, eligible homeowners and tenants have access to discounted or totally free upgrades of their energy systems in the home. This may include boilers, air source heat pumps, loft insulation, and cavity wall insulation.
This scheme provides a wide range of support – from insulation improvements right through to the installation of air source heat pumps.
ECO4 Eligibility
- You are the owner of the property or have permission from your landlord.
- You have inefficient or very old heating.
- Your energy performance certificate should have a rating below D for your home.
- You or your partner are on incomes within a certain level or are receiving any of the following benefits:
- Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Pension Credit Saving Credit
Application Process for Air Source Heat Pump Grants
The application process for air source heat pump grants is simple :
- You can check through online tools or by calling a certified installer to see if you qualify for any of the grants available.
- Submit a simple application form with the required documents and apply.
- Experts will conduct a free home assessment to determine the right heating solution for your property.
- Once approved, the grant paperwork is processed and installation coordinated.
- Get a newly installed air source heat pump by certified professionals, while most of its cost is covered by means of the grant.
What Can You Get with Government Support?
Government incentives can greatly reduce the upfront costs: up to £7,500 is available for an air or ground source heat pump. This scheme does not include hybrid systems, like a mixture of gas and air source heat pumps.
The usual grants cover the heat pump itself, its installation, and any necessary pipework and wiring. They may also include system assessments carried out by professionals, commissioning of the system, and even removal of your old heating system.
In some cases, it also includes initial maintenance and other insulation to make the system more effective. Assistance in this respect is particularly important to low-income families and makes energy-efficient heating cheaper for them.
Benefits of Air Source Heat Pumps
Some of the main benefits of includes:
- Air source heating systems can be 400% more efficient than conventional gas boilers. They can provide four times more heat energy output than the amount of electrical input.
- Installing an air source heat pump could cut your home’s carbon footprint by up to 12% a year.
- Air-source heat pumps are designed to work even during frosting conditions, on condition that they are able to provide heat when the outside temperature drops as low as -25°C.
- These systems are usually low-maintenance and have a long operating life of 15+ years.
Is an Air Source Heat Pump the Right Option for You?
Most UK homes will be suitable for an air source heat pump, but certain updates to your property may be needed to make sure it works efficiently. Improving insulation, upgrading radiators, or even adjustments to the piping could be included.
The following pre-conditions must be met in order to install a heat pump:
- You have to be a house owner.
- Your home must have outdoor space that is at least of the measurement 2mx1m with over 1m from boundary walls.
- There should be room for a water tank for a suitably efficient heat pump.
- Good insulation like cavity walls and loft insulation.
The Bottom Line
Switching to an air source heat pump is a smart investment in your comfort within the premises, energy efficiency, and ecology. With energy grants available from the government, such as the ECO4 scheme and BUS, the cost of installing a heat pump is reduced almost to nothing. It enables you to enjoy lower energy bills and a much-reduced carbon footprint.
This greener solution is more reliable and has less maintenance. Also, it also increases the value of your property since it improves its EPC rating. Now may be the perfect time for you to consider upgrading your heating system with government support.