An air source heat pump grant can cover the full cost of a new heat pump for eligible UK households. Under the ECO4 scheme, homeowners and private tenants who receive a qualifying benefit and live in a home rated EPC D–G can get an air-to-water heat pump, often with free solar panels and insulation, at no cost. ECO4 closes on 31 December 2026, so apply early.
The air source heat pump grant is government-backed funding that replaces old, inefficient heating with a low-carbon air-to-water heat pump. It is mainly delivered through two schemes:
ECO Energy Packs, based in Slough, checks your eligibility, arranges an MCS-certified survey and manages the full ECO4 application for you.
| Scheme | What you get | Who qualifies | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECO4 | Full cost of an air-to-water heat pump, often plus solar PV and insulation | Households on qualifying benefits or LA Flex, EPC D–G (England, Scotland, Wales) | 31 December 2026 |
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme | £7,500 off an air source heat pump (£2,500 air-to-air) | Property owners in England and Wales replacing fossil fuel heating | Funded to 2029/30 |
| Warm Homes Local Grant | Heat pump, solar PV and insulation via your council | Low-income households, EPC D–G (England) | Council-led; check your local authority |
Sources: GOV.UK Boiler Upgrade Scheme, GOV.UK Warm Homes Plan, Ofgem ECO4.
You are likely to qualify for a free air source heat pump under ECO4 if you meet the criteria below. Not sure? Our free eligibility check takes about two minutes and there is no obligation. If you do not receive benefits, you may still qualify through the LA Flex scheme.
ECO Energy Packs handles the paperwork from start to finish. As a result, you never deal with energy suppliers directly. Here is how the process works:
To start, complete our short online form. We then confirm whether you qualify under ECO4 or another heat pump grant.
Next, an MCS-certified assessor visits your home to check insulation, heat loss and the right heat pump size.
Once funding is approved, certified engineers install your heat pump, typically within a few days. Afterwards, they show you how to use it.
First, a heat pump grant removes the upfront cost of upgrading your heating. In addition, a modern air source heat pump can lower running costs compared with old electric storage heaters, oil or LPG. However, actual savings depend on your home, insulation and energy tariff.
A low EPC rating means your home wastes energy. Therefore, replacing old heating with a heat pump, especially alongside insulation and solar panels, can raise your EPC rating. As a result, your home becomes more attractive to buyers and tenants.
Air source heat pumps produce around 3 to 4 units of heat for every unit of electricity they use (300–400% efficiency). Moreover, pairing a heat pump with free solar panels lets you run it on your own daytime electricity to cut bills further.
Old boilers and heaters often need costly repairs. In contrast, a new, grant-funded air source heat pump gives you a reliable heating system with a manufacturer warranty.
Heat pumps are central to the UK’s plan to reach net zero by 2050. For example, under the Warm Homes Plan, the government aims for more than 450,000 heat pump installations a year by 2030.
If you are a homeowner or private tenant with an EPC rating of D to G and receive a qualifying benefit, you could get an air source heat pump free of charge through ECO4. The scheme has been extended to 31 December 2026. However, supplier funding may run out before then.
If you do not qualify for ECO4, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers £7,500 towards an air source heat pump in England and Wales, with no income or benefit requirement. So, check your eligibility with ECO Energy Packs today.
An air source heat pump grant can cover more than heating. Depending on your survey, you may also get free solar panels and insulation that lower bills and improve your EPC rating.
Under ECO4, eligible households receive a brand-new, low-carbon air-to-water heat pump. In addition, installation is included at no cost.
Free solar panels are often added to the heat pump. As a result, you can run your heating on clean, self-generated electricity.
Your grant may also include loft and cavity wall insulation. Consequently, your home loses less heat and the heat pump works more efficiently.
The ECO4 application, home survey and installation are all free. In other words, there are no hidden costs for eligible households.
Under ECO4, a free air source heat pump can replace these inefficient heating systems, including electric storage heaters:
Old, non-condensing oil, LPG or gas boilers that waste energy.
Outdated electric heaters that are expensive to run, especially on peak-rate tariffs.
Coal or wood-burning systems which, in addition to high bills, produce high carbon emissions.
Standalone gas fires and room heaters that are inefficient and costly to run.
Old boilers behind fireplaces that, in most cases, waste a lot of heat.
ECO4 can cover the full cost of an air-to-water heat pump for eligible low-income households, often with free solar panels and insulation. In addition, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives £7,500 towards an air source heat pump in England and Wales, or £2,500 for an air-to-air heat pump.
Homeowners and private tenants usually qualify under ECO4 if someone in the household receives a qualifying benefit. Alternatively, you may qualify through council LA Flex criteria. In both cases, the home also needs an EPC rating of D to G and inefficient heating.
ECO4 has been extended and now closes on 31 December 2026. However, supplier funding can run out earlier, so apply as soon as possible. After ECO4 ends, low-income support moves to Warm Homes Plan schemes such as the Warm Homes Local Grant.
No. A heat pump can only be funded through one route. For this reason, low-income households usually get the best value from ECO4, which can cover the full cost. Meanwhile, other homeowners can use the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
Yes, for most well-insulated homes. An air source heat pump is 3 to 4 times more efficient than a standard boiler. Also, it can run on electricity from solar panels. With an ECO4 grant, eligible households therefore pay nothing upfront.
Heat pumps need electricity to run and work best in well-insulated homes, so insulation may be needed first. Similarly, the outdoor unit needs some space. That is why ECO4 surveys check insulation and suitability before installation.
Most air source heat pump installations take 2 to 5 days. Of course, this depends on whether radiators or a hot water cylinder need replacing. After the home survey, your MCS-certified installer confirms the timeline.
Yes. Modern air source heat pumps keep working at outdoor temperatures well below freezing, typically down to around -15°C to -20°C. As a result, they easily cover normal UK winters.
Most air source heat pumps in England are permitted development and do not need planning permission. However, listed buildings, conservation areas and some flats may need approval from your local council.