Devon & Cornwall 2026
Boiler Upgrade Scheme & Heat Pump Grants in Devon & Cornwall
BUS £7,500 or £9,000 for many oil/LPG homes, ECO4 status in the South West, and what is actually open in 2026 — with honest caveats.
If you're thinking about installing a heat pump, solar panels, or improving your home's insulation, there is still meaningful financial support available. However, the schemes can be confusing, and the rules often change. This guide explains the main options clearly for homeowners and self-builders in Devon and Cornwall.
Important: Grant rules and funding can change. Always check the official links and speak to a qualified installer before making decisions.
Quick Answer
The main heat pump grant in Devon and Cornwall is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS): £7,500 in most eligible cases, or £9,000 where you replace oil or LPG and there is no mains gas connection (time-limited uplift — confirm dates on GOV.UK).
Cornwall and Devon: BUS is open nationally (installer applies). ECO4-style insulation grants are largely closed to new applications across much of the region, so do not budget as if free insulation is still widely available.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
This is currently the main grant for replacing fossil fuel (or eligible electric) heating with a heat pump in England and Wales — including Devon and Cornwall. For many off-gas oil and LPG homes the support is now higher than the standard rate.
What you can get (2026)
- £7,500 towards an air source or ground source heat pump in most eligible cases
- £9,000 where you are replacing oil or LPG and the property has no mains gas connection (off-gas-grid uplift)
- The grant is paid to your MCS installer and taken off the quote — you do not claim it yourself
The higher £9,000 rate is a time-limited uplift (applications from 21 July 2026, currently expected through to 31 March 2027). Always confirm live dates and rules on GOV.UK before you budget.
Oil, LPG and “rural” homes in Devon & Cornwall
A lot of South West properties are off the gas grid and still on oil or LPG. Those are exactly the homes the £9,000 rate is aimed at — but the legal test is not a rural postcode.
- You must be heated by oil or LPG, and
- There must be no mains gas connection at the property
If you are on mains gas, the standard £7,500 rate usually applies even if the house feels “rural”. Electric storage or direct electric typically sits on the standard rate, not the oil/LPG uplift.
Who can apply?
- Homeowners in England and Wales
- Self-builders (in some cases, once the property is occupied)
- You must be replacing an existing fossil fuel system (gas, oil, LPG) or eligible electric heating — check current GOV.UK lists
- The property needs a valid EPC
- The heat pump must be MCS certified and installed by an MCS-certified installer
The scheme is currently due to run until March 2028. The grant covers the heat pump itself — it does not cover new radiators, underfloor heating or insulation.
ECO4 & Local Authority Flex
Current status in Devon & Cornwall (July 2026)
ECO4 and Local Authority Flex are largely closed for new applications across most of Devon and Cornwall. Cornwall Council closed new applications in February 2026. Several Devon councils have also stopped or severely limited new referrals. Remaining activity is mainly the completion of jobs already approved before the cut-off dates.
When the scheme was open, ECO4 funded energy efficiency measures for lower-income and fuel-poor households. It was delivered by the large energy suppliers and could fully fund measures in eligible homes.
Who it helped
- Households on certain benefits (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, etc.)
- Or low-income households referred via Local Authority Flex (often under £31,000 household income)
- Properties with EPC ratings of D, E, F or G
Typical measures funded
- Loft, cavity and solid wall insulation
- Underfloor and room-in-roof insulation
- Air source heat pumps (in some cases)
- Heating controls and first-time central heating
Practical advice: Do not rely on new ECO4 funding being available in Devon or Cornwall at present. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme remains the main active grant for heat pumps in the region.
Great British Insulation Scheme
This scheme provides funding for insulation improvements. Availability and eligibility have tightened as the scheme has progressed, and local delivery varies.
It has primarily targeted loft and cavity wall insulation for eligible households. Check current availability with a local installer or the official scheme pages, as funding pots and rules change.
VAT Relief on Energy Saving Materials
Many energy-saving measures can currently be installed at 0% VAT instead of the standard 20% rate. This is one of the simpler ways to reduce costs.
What is covered
- Heat pumps
- Solar panels
- Insulation
- Some heating controls
Available for most residential properties. The work must be carried out by a VAT-registered installer. Current rules apply until March 2027.
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
This is not a grant, but a payment scheme. It pays you for any excess electricity you export to the grid from your solar panels.
- You get paid per kWh of electricity exported
- Rates vary between suppliers (typically 3p – 15p per kWh)
- You need a smart meter (or agree to have one fitted)
- Your solar system must be MCS certified
Important Things to Consider
Schemes change regularly
Funding levels, eligibility rules, and even entire schemes can be altered or ended with relatively short notice. Always check the current position.
Get professional advice
A good installer will understand the current rules and can often handle the grant application for you. Be wary of companies that promise grants you may not actually qualify for.
Self-builders
If you're building a new home, some grants (particularly the Boiler Upgrade Scheme) have specific rules around when you can apply. It’s best to speak to an installer early in the process.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme available in Cornwall?
Yes. BUS is a national England and Wales scheme. Your MCS installer applies; the grant is deducted from the install cost. Cornwall has a high share of off-gas homes that may qualify for the £9,000 oil/LPG rate where rules are met.
What heat pump grants are available in Devon?
BUS is the main active grant for heat pumps. Separate local or ECO-style schemes change often and are largely closed for new applications in much of Devon — check current council and GOV.UK pages before relying on them.
Is BUS £7,500 or £9,000?
Most eligible installs use £7,500. Many oil or LPG replacements with no mains gas may use £9,000 in the published uplift window. Confirm live GOV.UK wording before you budget.
Is ECO4 still open in Devon and Cornwall?
Largely closed for new applications across much of the region. Do not plan a project on the assumption of new ECO4 funding. BUS remains the primary heat pump grant.
Does BUS cover underfloor heating?
BUS supports eligible heat pump installations, not a separate UFH package line. Floor system costs sit in your project budget. UFH costs 2026.
Next step
Get a realistic planning band for your home, then use the checklist when you speak to installers.