Most new builds will be energy efficient enough to not require grant support for air source heat pumps (or ASHPs). However, self build properties may be eligible for certain schemes despite being a new build.
Really, air source heat pump grants for new build properties don’t exist. Instead the grants and schemes on offer target a wide range of properties based on factors such as household income and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings.
This could apply to a new build property if the EPC rating isn’t as high as it ought to be, though, so find out which grants might be appropriate for you and your property.
With so many grants and schemes out there, it can be confusing trying to figure out which ones apply to you and your property. But don’t worry, as eco grant experts and air source heat pump installers, we know a thing or two about the different funding options available.
We can also tell you whether air source heat pumps or ground source heat pumps are right for your home. We’ll take a look at both options to ensure the air or ground source heat pump you end up with is the right replacement for your gas boiler.
If you’re still unsure if you can qualify for air source heat pump grants for new build properties, then contact us today. A member of our team will be able to talk you through the different options that are open to you.
There are a number of reasons why you might consider an air source heat pump installation, but the benefits they bring can certainly be the largest reason of all. ASHPs will bring the following benefits your way:
Working with ZOA Eco Grants means you can find out exactly which government grants for air source heat pumps are right for you and your property. This is especially important for new build properties, as starting from 2025, the Future Homes Standard (FHS) comes into effect, meaning all new builds must have a low carbon heating system installed, such as air source heat pumps.
With that said, only certain new builds are appropriate for support in most cases, because the FHS means that developers should already be moving towards low carbon heating systems, meaning new home owners won’t need to make an application to one of the schemes we’ll discuss below. Some new builds will receive support, though, so it’s worth learning about air source heat pump grants just in case.
Confused? Don’t be. If you want to make the whole process even simpler, just fill out our quick form to speak with a member of our team who can advise you about which grants you might be eligible for.
The first grant that might be relevant to you as a homeowner of a new build property is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, or BUS.
Although recently extended to 2028, with some changes to the amount of support on offer, the guidance hasn’t changed when it comes to new build properties.
New build properties are not eligible for BUS support, except for self build properties that have been built using the resources of the first owner and that have never been used for business purposes.
It’s important to note you also can’t get a grant for a hybrid heat pump system (using a gas boiler and an ASHP) under this scheme.
This then begs the question – how new is ‘new build’? If you’re unsure if you might qualify, contact us today. There could be £7,500 towards the cost of your air source heat pump on the line for homeowners in England and Wales, so it’s worth checking if you are eligible.
The RHI is an example of another government scheme aimed at offering efficient heating systems to homes with poor EPC ratings and higher than average energy bills. It, however, is no longer available and stopped taking new applications in March 2022 before the Boiler Upgrade Scheme launched in April to replace it.
ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation) focuses on offering support to low income households living in energy inefficient homes.
There aren’t any stipulations regarding new build properties for ECO4, but the chances of a new build property qualifying for ECO4 could be slim due to the fact that most developers and builders are already building homes with the Future Home Standard in mind, meaning their EPC ratings ought to be high.
However, with £4 billion in support on offer, it’s worth checking if you might qualify for support with ECO4. The scheme is available in England, Scotland and Wales, and grant support is decided based on household income, the energy efficiency measures required, and the total cost of those measures.
If you are in receipt of Child Benefit, and have an annual household income below the amounts in the table, then you should qualify for support under ECO4.
| Number Of Children | One Parent Household | Two Parent Household |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | £19,900 | £27,500 |
| 2 | £24,800 | £32,300 |
| 3 | £29,600 | £37,200 |
| 4+ | £34,500 | £42,000 |
As you might have guessed from the answers we’ve provided above, new build properties can add some complexities to the matter when it comes to applying for different grants for air source heat pumps. Since new build properties, even now, are being built with the 2025 guidance for the Future Home Standard (FHS) in mind, EPC ratings are already pretty high in new builds and therefore grant support for new builds aren’t always necessary. In fact, the BUS specifically rules out new build properties for grant support, unless that new build property is a self build.
Qualifying for a completely free air source heat pump is unlikely, but not impossible. With ECO4, you might qualify for a free ASHP. However, as we stated above, other energy efficiency measures will be considered before an ASHP. If necessary, though, an ASHP may be offered to improve your home’s EPC rating if other measures such as cavity wall insulation or other energy efficiency measures prove unsuccessful.
No. The grant support you receive for your ASHP, whether it’s through ECO4, LA Flex, or the Boiler Upgrade Scheme will never need to be repaid. These are not loans. They’re grants that are on offer to homeowners who are looking to switch to a greener way of heating their home.