Government Backed Scheme | Free Boiler Grants
Homeowners in Bolton may qualify for a £7,500 government grant toward the cost of installing an air source heat pump. The grant is available through the UK government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) and is designed to help households currently relying on gas, oil, or LPG boilers make the switch to a cleaner, more efficient heating system.
The UK government has been actively pushing for the adoption of low-carbon heating systems, with air source heat pumps representing one of the most practical replacements for traditional boilers. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides a £7,500 grant to help reduce the upfront cost of making that switch.
Free Energy Savings helps Bolton homeowners understand what the scheme involves, check whether their property is likely to qualify, and get connected with approved MCS-certified installers.
If you own a home in Bolton and are thinking about upgrading your heating system, it is worth finding out whether the £7,500 grant could apply to your property.
Fill out the form below to take advantage of our the £7,500 Air Source Heat Pump Grant offer.
The eligibility requirements for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme are reasonably straightforward. Many Bolton homeowners will find they already meet them, or can do so with a small amount of preparation.
The property must be owner-occupied, privately owned, or a self-build home. Landlords can also apply for properties they own and rent out, as long as the other eligibility conditions are met.
To be eligible, the property must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation. If the EPC does flag insulation improvements as needed, those will generally need to be completed before the heat pump installation can go ahead. The property must also be structurally suitable for a heat pump system, which the installer will confirm during their assessment.
Many older Bolton properties, particularly those built before the 1970s, may need some insulation work before they are fully ready. This is common and rarely causes significant delays to the overall process.
The BUS grant is specifically aimed at replacing fossil fuel and older heating systems. Systems that qualify for replacement include:
A large number of homes across Bolton still rely on gas central heating, which puts many residents in a strong position when it comes to meeting this requirement.
If your EPC certificate recommends loft insulation or cavity wall insulation, those improvements will usually need to be in place before installation under the BUS can proceed. Many older Bolton properties, built before modern energy efficiency standards were introduced, may benefit from these upgrades regardless. Free Energy Savings can help you understand what your EPC shows and what steps may be needed.
Common qualifying property types include semi-detached houses, detached homes, bungalows, and larger terraced properties with enough outdoor space for a heat pump unit. New-build homes are not eligible, as the scheme is focused on upgrading existing housing stock rather than supporting properties already built to modern standards.
Many homeowners are surprised by how broadly the scheme applies. If you currently heat your home with gas, oil, or LPG and you own the property, it is worth checking eligibility.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a UK government programme created to accelerate the uptake of low-carbon heating across England and Wales. It provides a £7,500 grant toward the installation of an air source heat pump, with the primary goal of replacing fossil fuel heating systems and reducing the carbon footprint of residential properties.
The grant is not a loan and does not need to be repaid. Your MCS-certified installer applies for it on your behalf, and the £7,500 is deducted directly from your installation cost. You pay the remaining balance after the grant has been applied. The scheme has been running since 2022 and is currently available until 2028.
Air source heat pumps work by drawing heat from the outdoor air, even when temperatures are low, and compressing it to produce warm water for your radiators or underfloor heating and your hot water cylinder. The technology is reliable and widely used across Europe, including in countries with considerably colder winters than we see in Greater Manchester.
The efficiency figures are worth understanding. A standard gas boiler runs at around 85 to 90% efficiency. An air source heat pump can reach 300 to 400% efficiency, producing three to four units of heat for every unit of electricity it uses. That gap is one of the main reasons heat pumps have become central to the UK’s long-term heating strategy.
A typical installation costs between £10,000 and £13,000 before the grant. The £7,500 BUS grant reduces that significantly, making the upfront cost far more manageable for most Bolton homeowners than many people assume.
Bolton’s housing stock reflects the town’s industrial history. Much of it was built to house mill workers and their families during the Victorian era and the early decades of the 20th century, with further development through the post-war period as the town expanded.
Across the borough you will find Victorian terraced housing in Great Lever, Halliwell, and Tonge Moor; early 20th-century homes in Farnworth and Horwich; and post-war suburban estates throughout Westhoughton, Little Lever, and Breightmet. The majority of properties in these areas are still heated by gas central heating systems, many of which are ageing and becoming less efficient over time.
Running costs on older gas boilers tend to rise as the system loses efficiency. Energy price volatility has added further pressure on household budgets in recent years, and many Bolton residents have been looking at alternatives. A heat pump removes dependence on the gas network entirely and delivers heating at significantly higher efficiency.
The UK’s net zero strategy places home heating at the centre of its decarbonisation plans. Gas boiler regulations are expected to tighten over the coming years, and the direction of travel is clear. For Bolton homeowners, upgrading now through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme means taking advantage of the £7,500 grant while it is available, rather than facing a transition later without the same level of support.
Heat pumps perform best in properties with good insulation, and many Bolton homes can reach that standard with relatively straightforward improvements. The combination of older housing stock and widespread gas heating makes Bolton a strong fit for the scheme.
Government grant schemes can feel complicated to navigate, and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is no different. Between eligibility rules, EPC requirements, and the need for MCS-certified installers, many homeowners are not sure where to begin.
Free Energy Savings is a specialist in government heating grants. The team works with homeowners to explain the scheme clearly, review whether a property is likely to qualify, and connect residents with approved installers who can carry out the full assessment and installation.
Working with Free Energy Savings means:
The team has experience helping homeowners across Greater Manchester and the surrounding areas, including Bolton, Wigan, Bury, Leigh, and Chorley. Whether your property is a Victorian terrace in Halliwell or a semi-detached in Westhoughton, the eligibility check is the same straightforward starting point.
Checking eligibility takes very little time and comes with no obligation to proceed. Most homeowners have a clear picture of where they stand after the initial review.
The process from initial enquiry to completed installation is more straightforward than most people expect. Here is how it typically works.
You provide some basic details about your property, including its type, your current heating system, and your location. The enquiry takes less than a minute and gives the team enough information to carry out a first review of your potential eligibility.
We review your ownership status, EPC rating, heating system type, and general property suitability. This step identifies whether the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is likely to apply to your home and flags any areas that may need attention beforehand, such as outstanding insulation recommendations.
If your property looks suitable, an MCS-certified installer will visit to carry out a full site assessment. They will check the appropriate heat pump size for your home, where the outdoor unit can be positioned, insulation levels, hot water cylinder requirements, and compatibility with your existing pipework and radiators.
The installer submits the Boiler Upgrade Scheme application on your behalf. There is no requirement for you to deal with government paperwork directly. The £7,500 grant is applied to your installation cost, and you pay the remaining balance once the work is complete.
Once the grant is approved, the heat pump is installed, commissioned, and tested. Your heating and hot water systems are handed over in full working order, and a warranty is provided as part of the completed installation. Most homeowners find the disruption during installation is far less than they anticipated.
Free Energy Savings and our network of MCS-certified installers cover Bolton and the wider Greater Manchester area. Whether your property is in the town centre or one of the surrounding neighbourhoods, we can help you explore whether the heat pump grant is available for your home.
Areas we regularly cover across Bolton include:
We also cover many of the surrounding areas across Greater Manchester, including Wigan, Bury, Leigh, and Chorley. Our installers are familiar with the variety of property types found across Bolton, from older terraced streets to post-war semis and bungalows, and can advise on the most suitable heat pump setup for your specific home.
If you are unsure whether your area is covered, the quickest way to find out is to get in touch. Most properties within the Bolton borough are well within our coverage area.
Switching to an air source heat pump through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme brings genuine advantages, both for your household and for the environment. For many Bolton homeowners, the case for making the switch is more compelling than they initially expected.
Heat pumps produce significantly fewer carbon emissions than gas or oil boilers. As the UK electricity grid continues to shift toward renewable sources, the carbon footprint of running a heat pump will continue to fall over time. For households in Bolton who want to reduce the environmental impact of their home, replacing a gas boiler with a heat pump is one of the most meaningful steps they can take.
Because heat pumps operate at much higher efficiency levels than traditional boilers, many households see a reduction in their heating costs over time. Savings tend to be most noticeable in well-insulated homes with a correctly sized system. Pairing the heat pump with smart heating controls, and where possible a renewable electricity tariff, can improve the financial outcome further. The running cost picture is not the same for every household, but for many Bolton residents the long-term numbers compare favourably to staying on gas.
Installing a heat pump, particularly alongside insulation improvements, can raise a property’s EPC rating. A stronger EPC rating can increase the value of a home and may make it more appealing to future buyers. For landlords, a better rating also offers greater protection against tightening minimum energy efficiency requirements that apply to rental properties.
Switching to electric heating removes your home’s dependence on gas entirely. For Bolton households currently on mains gas, that means no longer being exposed to the wholesale gas market, which has seen significant price swings in recent years. For properties on oil or LPG, it means the end of fuel deliveries, storage tanks, and the unpredictability that comes with them.
Gas boiler regulations are expected to tighten over the coming years, and the government’s direction of travel on home heating is clear. New gas boiler installations are already being phased out in certain contexts, and that trend is set to continue. Installing a heat pump now, with the support of the £7,500 BUS grant, means Bolton homeowners are ahead of that shift rather than having to respond to it later, at potentially greater cost and with less financial support available.
To start your application process you can fill in our application form above. We will then get in touch to check your eligibility and move your application forward.
The £7,500 heat pump grant is provided through the UK government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme. It is a one-off payment applied directly to the cost of installing an air source heat pump. The grant is not a loan and does not need to be repaid. Your MCS-certified installer submits the application on your behalf, and the £7,500 is deducted from your installation cost before you pay the remaining balance. The scheme is open to eligible homeowners across England and Wales and runs until 2028.
To qualify, you need to own a property in England or Wales that is currently heated by a gas, oil, LPG, or electric storage heating system. The property must have a valid EPC with no outstanding insulation recommendations, or those must be completed before installation. New-build homes are not eligible. Landlords can apply for properties they own and rent out. Common qualifying property types in Bolton include semi-detached houses, detached homes, bungalows, and larger terraced properties with outdoor space for a heat pump unit.
A typical air source heat pump installation costs between £10,000 and £13,000 before the grant. After the £7,500 BUS grant is applied, the remaining cost to the homeowner is usually somewhere between £2,500 and £5,500, depending on the size of the property, the system required, and any additional work such as fitting a hot water cylinder or upgrading insulation. Your installer will provide a clear quote following the site assessment, so there are no surprises.
Yes. Modern air source heat pumps are designed to extract heat from outdoor air down to around minus 15 to 20 degrees Celsius, well below anything Bolton typically experiences. The technology is well proven in countries across Northern Europe where winters are far harsher. Performance is best in properties with good insulation, which is one reason the BUS requires insulation recommendations to be addressed before installation. A correctly sized and installed system will keep your home warm reliably throughout the year.
Most heat pump installations are completed within one to three days. The exact timeline depends on the size of the property, the complexity of the pipework, and whether any additional work is needed, such as installing a new hot water cylinder or upgrading radiators. Your installer will give you a clear timeframe before any work begins. In most cases, the disruption is modest and the changeover from old boiler to heat pump is smoother than many homeowners expect.
In most cases, no. Installing an air source heat pump in England is generally covered by permitted development rights, which means planning permission is not required. There are some exceptions, including listed buildings, properties in conservation areas, and certain leasehold or flat arrangements. Your installer will confirm the position for your specific property during the assessment stage, before any costs are committed or work is agreed.
Yes. Landlords can apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for properties they own and rent out, provided the standard eligibility criteria are met. The property must have a valid EPC, meet insulation requirements, and currently use a fossil fuel or older heating system. New-build rental properties are not eligible. The MCS-certified installer manages the application process, so there is no requirement for the landlord to submit anything directly to the government.
It depends on what your current EPC shows. If loft insulation or cavity wall insulation is listed as a recommendation, those improvements will generally need to be completed before a heat pump can be installed under the BUS. This is to ensure the system operates efficiently once it is in place. Free Energy Savings can help you understand what your EPC says and explore whether any insulation support is available. For many Bolton properties, insulation work can be arranged quickly and does not cause significant delays to the overall timeline.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is designed to replace fossil fuel and older heating systems with low-carbon alternatives. Eligible systems that can be replaced include gas boilers, oil boilers, LPG boilers, and electric storage heaters. The scheme does not apply to homes already using low-carbon heating or to new-build properties. If you are on any of the listed systems and own your home in Bolton, it is worth checking your eligibility, as a large number of properties across the borough meet the basic requirements.
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