Boiler Upgrade Scheme 2026 Update for Norfolk Homeowners

Last reviewed: 21 September 2026. Figures and rules can change – always confirm on the official links.

The government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme has been extended to 2030 with a £400 million budget for 2026 to 2027, and from 28 April 2026, the requirement for a valid EPC has been removed. Norfolk homeowners in Kings Lynn, Attleborough, Acle, Beeston and across the county can now access grants of up to £9,000 for air source heat pumps in eligible off-gas properties until 31 March 2027, with your MCS-certified installer applying on your behalf.

What is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a national initiative for homeowners and small business owners in England and Wales, designed to make low-carbon heating more affordable. Since May 2022, there have been over 100,000 applications, with over 3,500 applications in February 2026 alone. The scheme provides upfront grants to reduce the cost of installing renewable heating systems such as air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, water source heat pumps and biomass boilers.

You do not apply for the grant directly. Instead, your MCS-certified heat pump installer applies on your behalf, and the grant value is deducted from the quote you receive. To be eligible, you must currently have a fossil fuel heating system (such as a gas boiler) or an electric heating system without a heat pump. Hybrid systems combining a fossil fuel boiler and a heat pump are not eligible.

Major changes from April and July 2026

Two significant updates have made the scheme more accessible for Norfolk homeowners. From 28 April 2026, properties are no longer required to have a valid EPC to apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Property owners may still obtain an EPC before their installer applies, but this is no longer a mandatory requirement. This change is detailed in Version 5.1 of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme guidance for installers, which applies to applications properly made on or after 28 April 2026 when the regulation changes came into effect.

From 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027, eligible off-gas grid properties can receive a £9,000 grant for air source or ground source heat pumps. This enhanced grant recognises the higher costs faced by rural and off-grid homeowners in areas such as parts of Kings Lynn, Beeston and surrounding Norfolk villages. The standard grant remains £7,500 for air-to-water heat pumps, ground source heat pumps and water source heat pumps, £5,000 for biomass boilers, and £2,500 for air-to-air heat pumps in residential properties only.

What this means for Norfolk homeowners

For homeowners across Norfolk, Attleborough, Acle and the wider region, these updates remove barriers and increase financial support. The removal of the EPC requirement simplifies the process, particularly for older properties where obtaining an up-to-date Energy Performance Certificate could delay installation. The £9,000 off-gas grid uplift is particularly relevant for rural Norfolk homes relying on oil, LPG or electric heating.

Your installer must be certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and be a member of an approved consumer code such as the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC) or HIES Consumer Code. EPH Services is MCS-registered and can guide you through the entire process, from assessing your property’s suitability to applying for the grant and completing your air source heat pump installation in Norfolk.

The total capacity of the heat pump system must not exceed 70kWth, and for biomass boilers, the maximum permitted capacity is 45 kWth. Biomass boilers are only eligible if the property is in a rural location and not connected to the gas grid.

Scheme extension and future support

As of 28 April 2026, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme has been extended to 2030, providing long-term certainty for homeowners planning renewable heating upgrades. The Secretary of State confirmed that the budget for 2026 to 2027 will be £400 million.

In November 2025, the government announced that grants with a value of £2,500 will be provided under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to support the installation of air-to-air heat pumps in domestic properties. Additionally, grants will be provided to support the installation of heat batteries with a value of £2,500, once product, design and installation standards have come into force. It is anticipated that applications for heat battery installations will open during 2026/27.

How to access the grant with EPH Services

The application process is straightforward when you work with an MCS-certified installer like EPH Services. We assess your property in Kings Lynn, Beeston, Acle, Attleborough or elsewhere in Norfolk, recommend the most suitable heat pump system, and provide you with a full quote showing the grant deducted upfront. We then apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant on your behalf and complete the installation to MCS standards.

More information on eligibility and the application process is available from Energy Saving Trust and the official Ofgem Boiler Upgrade Scheme guidance for property owners.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an EPC to apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme in 2026?

No. From 28 April 2026, properties are no longer required to have a valid EPC to apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. You may still choose to obtain an EPC before your installer applies, but it is not a requirement.

How much grant can I get for an air source heat pump in Norfolk?

The standard grant is £7,500 off the cost and installation of air-to-water heat pumps. If your property is eligible and off the gas grid, you can receive £9,000 from 21 July 2026 until 31 March 2027.

Can I apply for the grant myself?

No. You do not apply for the grant directly. Your MCS-certified installer applies for the grant on your behalf, and the value of the grant is provided to you as an upfront discount on the quote.

Are gas boiler replacements eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?

No. The scheme supports renewable heating systems such as air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps and biomass boilers. If you are replacing a gas boiler, you are eligible to switch to a heat pump and receive the grant, but a like-for-like boiler installation is not covered.

EPH Services is your trusted MCS-registered installer for air source heat pump installations across Norfolk, Kings Lynn, Beeston, Acle and Attleborough. Whether you want to take advantage of the £7,500 or £9,000 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, we’ll handle the application and deliver a professional, energy-efficient heating solution tailored to your home. Visit our air source heat pump page to learn more, or contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote.