Proposed amendments to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme Regulations
Applies to England and Wales
Download the full outcome
Detail of outcome
As a result of the response to this consultation, we will:
- retain the requirement for a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) generated in the last 10 years, but remove the requirement to have no outstanding recommendations for loft and cavity wall insulation on the EPC
- future-proof the regulations by differentiating grant levels for properties off the gas grid and self-build properties. We recently introduced a grant uplift for all properties, so we won’t vary the grant levels for these properties when the regulations come into force, but we will be able to do so in future if necessary
- introduce biomass boilers with an integrated cooking function as newly eligible for support
- amend the approach to commissioning dates: an application won’t be eligible if made for a system which has been commissioned more than 120 days ahead of the application (previously any system installed after scheme launch was eligible)
We did not consult on a new capacity limit for shared ground loops (SGL), but many responses and wider industry feedback referred to this. We will maintain the capacity limit for individual systems at 45kW, but the capacity limit for shared ground loops will be increased to 300kW, to help make ground source heat pumps more financially viable, alongside the increased grant level of £7,500.
Next steps
We will announce the timing of these changes in the coming weeks, and provide guidance for installers and consumers on how the changes will impact the application process.
Detail of feedback received
We received 205 responses from a wide range of:
- organisations
- representative and trade bodies
- industry professionals
- individual members of the public
Original consultation
Consultation description
We introduced the Boiler Upgrade Scheme in 2022 to support the decarbonisation of heat in buildings. Under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, capital grants are available to support the installation of heat pumps and biomass boilers in homes and non-domestic buildings in England and Wales.
During this period, we engaged Ofgem as the Scheme Administrator and a range of stakeholders to identify where changes may be needed to support a continued increase in deployment and ensure we reach our target of 600,000 heat pump installs a year by 2028.
In this consultation, we set out proposed amendments to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and are seeking views on:
- whether we should be able to differentiate grant levels in different circumstances
- whether to retain or amend the existing EPC requirements
- whether biomass boilers with a cooking function should be eligible under the scheme
Read our consultation privacy notice.
Documents
Last updated 14 March 2024 + show all updates
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Government response published.
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First published.