Boiler Upgrade Scheme 2026: What Changes Mean in Norfolk

Boiler Upgrade Scheme details last reviewed: 12 October 2026. Figures and rules can change – always confirm on the official links.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme still offers £7,500 towards an air source heat pump for eligible homes in Norfolk. Between 21 July 2026 and 31 March 2027, eligible off-gas grid properties heated by oil or LPG can claim £9,000. For homeowners in Beeston, Kings Lynn, Acle and Attleborough, 2026 has also brought a relaxed EPC requirement, an extension of the scheme to 2030 and a budget of £400 million for 2026 to 2027.

What has changed in the Boiler Upgrade Scheme in 2026

Several changes to the regulations came into effect on 28 April 2026, and higher grant values followed on 21 July 2026. Taken together, they make the scheme simpler for many Norfolk households and more generous for homes that are off the gas grid.

• No valid EPC required: from 28 April 2026 your property no longer needs a valid Energy Performance Certificate to apply. If one exists, you still need to provide the certificate number.
• Supplementary heating allowed: a heat pump can now be installed alongside supplementary heating appliances, as long as they don’t run on fossil fuel.
• Exhaust air heat pumps: exhaust air-to-water heat pumps became eligible for the £7,500 grant from 28 April 2026.
• Scheme extended: the scheme has been extended to 2030.
• Off-gas uplift: from 21 July 2026, eligible off-gas grid homes can claim £9,000 for an air source or ground source heat pump.

You can read the full detail in the government notice of approved grant categories and values and the April 2026 Boiler Upgrade Scheme budget increase.

What it means for oil and LPG homes in Kings Lynn, Acle and Attleborough

If your home is heated by oil or LPG and has no mains gas, this is the biggest change of the year. The uplifted £9,000 grant for air source or ground source heat pumps runs from 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027. If you’re thinking about replacing an ageing oil or LPG boiler, it’s worth planning now so you don’t miss that window.

Under the scheme, your existing fossil-fuel heating system has to be fully replaced. You can’t keep an oil or LPG boiler as a backup alongside a BUS-funded heat pump. Since April 2026 you can keep non-fossil supplementary heating, though, which gives you a bit more flexibility.

Timing matters too. Vouchers for air-to-water heat pumps are valid for 3 months (ground source vouchers are valid for 6 months), and the heating system must be commissioned no more than 120 days before the application is properly made. Your installer should plan the survey, design and installation around those dates.

Who can apply and what the rules are

The scheme is the same everywhere in England and Wales, so a home in Beeston qualifies on exactly the same terms as one anywhere else in the country. According to Ofgem’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme guidance for property owners, the main rules are:

• Homeowners and small business owners with a fossil fuel heating system are eligible.
• Eligible properties include owner-occupied, rented, second and holiday homes and park homes, plus non-residential buildings such as churches, community centres and offices.
• Social housing and shared ownership properties are not eligible, and neither are most new builds (some self-builds that meet specific criteria are the exception).
• The installer must be certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and be a member of an approved consumer code such as RECC or HIES.
• Installations can be up to 45kW capacity (300kWth collective capacity for a shared ground loop), and multi heat pump systems must not exceed 70kWth in total.

Installers are now required to deduct the grant from the upfront cost, so the saving should show clearly on your quote.

How popular is the scheme?

Demand keeps growing. Ofgem’s annual report shows that in Scheme Year 4 (April 2025 to March 2026) there were 45,880 applications, a 19% increase on Year 3. Over the same year, 39,435 vouchers worth over £295.5 million were issued, and grants worth £233.1 million were paid, supporting 31,104 installations. Since the scheme started, £560.3 million has been paid out, supporting 80,098 systems.

With a £400 million budget set for 2026 to 2027, funding is in place. Even so, it makes sense for Norfolk homeowners to get advice early, especially if you want to take advantage of the time-limited off-gas uplift.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant in Norfolk?

The grant is the same across England and Wales: £7,500 for an air source heat pump, or £9,000 for eligible off-gas grid homes heated by oil or LPG between 21 July 2026 and 31 March 2027.

Do I still need an EPC to apply?

No. Since 28 April 2026, properties no longer need a valid EPC to apply. If your home has one, you’ll still need to provide the certificate number.

Can I keep my oil boiler as a backup?

No. Any existing fossil-fuel heating system must be fully replaced. Supplementary heating that isn’t fossil fuel based is allowed alongside the heat pump.

How long is the scheme running?

The scheme has been extended to 2030. The higher £9,000 off-gas grant is only available until 31 March 2027.

Thinking about switching from oil, LPG or gas to a heat pump in Norfolk? Take a look at our air source heat pump installation in Norfolk page, then contact EPH Services to arrange a survey or ask for a quote. We cover Beeston, Kings Lynn, Acle, Attleborough and the surrounding areas.