If you have been looking into heat pumps, chances are you have come across the figure £7,500 – the grant available through the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme. For homeowners in Crewe and Nantwich, this grant can make switching to an air source heat pump significantly more affordable than most people expect. Here is what the scheme actually covers, who qualifies, and how the process works locally.

What Is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a government grant designed to help homeowners in England and Wales move away from fossil fuel heating systems – typically gas or oil boilers – and replace them with low-carbon alternatives such as air source heat pumps. Rather than being a discount applied after purchase, the grant is paid directly to the installer and deducted from your quote upfront, so you never have to claim anything back yourself.

For an air source heat pump, the grant is worth £7,500. This is applied straight off the cost of installation, reducing what would otherwise be a significant upfront investment to something much closer in line with a high-end boiler replacement.

Who Is Eligible in Crewe and Nantwich?

Eligibility is mostly about the property rather than the homeowner. In general terms, your home needs to:

Be in England or Wales (which covers all of Crewe, Nantwich, Sandbach, Middlewich and the wider Cheshire area)
Currently use a fossil fuel heating system, such as a gas, oil or LPG boiler
Have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation, unless these are not appropriate for the property
Be a residential property, including park homes

This applies to a wide range of property types found across Crewe and Nantwich – from older terraces and semis through to more modern detached homes. If your EPC flags insulation work as outstanding, this does not necessarily rule you out, but it is worth getting this checked before applying.

What Does the Grant Actually Cover?

The £7,500 grant goes toward the installation cost of an air source heat pump system, including the unit itself and the associated work needed to fit it – such as pipework, electrical connections and any necessary adjustments to your existing heating system. It does not typically cover wider home improvements like loft insulation or new radiators, although in some cases radiator upgrades may form part of the overall heat pump installation if required for the system to work effectively.

The remaining cost – after the grant is deducted – will depend on the size of your property, the heat pump specification required, and the amount of additional work involved. An accurate figure can only come from a proper assessment of your home, but the grant alone makes a substantial difference to the final price.

How the Process Works

The grant is administered through MCS-certified installers, which means the installer applies for the grant on your behalf as part of the quoting process. You do not need to deal with paperwork or apply separately. In practice, the process generally looks like this:

An initial assessment of your property, current heating system and insulation
A quote for the heat pump installation, with the £7,500 grant already deducted
The installer submits the grant application as part of arranging the work
Installation is carried out and the system is commissioned

Because the grant is built into the quote rather than claimed afterwards, there is no risk of being left out of pocket while waiting for funds.

Is a Heat Pump Right for Your Home?

Heat pumps work best in homes that are reasonably well insulated and where the existing heating system can be adapted – or where radiators can be upgraded – to suit the lower flow temperatures heat pumps typically operate at. Many homes across Crewe and Nantwich are well suited to this, but it does vary property to property, particularly with older housing stock where insulation and radiator sizing need a closer look.

The only way to know for certain whether your home qualifies and what the real cost would look like after the grant is applied is to have a proper assessment carried out.

Thinking About a Heat Pump in Crewe or Nantwich?

Prof Heat Services provides advice and installation support for homeowners across Crewe, Nantwich, Sandbach and the surrounding Cheshire area who are considering a heat pump. If you would like to find out whether your property is eligible for the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant and what the cost would look like for your home, get in touch for an honest, no-obligation assessment.

For full details on the scheme directly from the government, you can also visit the Boiler Upgrade Scheme page on GOV.UK.