Could your choice of installer decide whether you receive thousands of pounds towards a new heat pump? Under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, the answer is yes. The installation must meet the scheme’s technical conditions, and the company responsible for the work must hold the required certification.
An MCS Certified installer handles much more than the physical installation. They assess the property, select suitable equipment, prepare the grant application and submit the final documents to Ofgem. Choose the wrong company, and the grant may disappear before the work even starts.
What is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme supports property owners in England and Wales who replace eligible heating systems with lower-carbon alternatives. It covers homes, rental properties, second homes and certain small non-domestic buildings.
Current grants reach £7,500 for air-to-water and ground source heat pumps. Air-to-air systems qualify for £2,500, while eligible off-gas-grid properties can receive £9,000 for selected heat pumps between 21 July 2026 and 31 March 2027. Ofgem publishes the current grant values and conditions.
Is MCS certification compulsory?
Yes, if you plan to claim support through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. The heat pump must be installed and commissioned by a business certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme for the relevant technology.
A general plumber, electrician or heating engineer may have extensive experience, yet their qualifications alone cannot satisfy this condition. Without the correct MCS status, Ofgem will reject the grant application.
Why does the installer apply for the grant?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme uses an installer-led process, so homeowners do not submit the main application themselves. Your chosen MCS Certified installer creates the application, communicates with Ofgem, installs the system and redeems the voucher after completion.
You still need to confirm your consent and property eligibility when Ofgem contacts you. If you fail to reply within 14 calendar days, the application may be rejected, so check your inbox and respond within the stated period.
How does the grant reduce the installation cost?
The installer includes the grant as an upfront reduction in the quotation. For example, if an eligible air-to-water heat pump installation costs £13,500 and attracts a £7,500 voucher, the remaining amount payable would be £6,000.
Ofgem sends the grant payment to the installer after the work has met the scheme conditions. You should inspect the quotation carefully and confirm that the full voucher value has already been deducted from the price.
Does every property qualify?
Property ownership forms one of the core conditions, so tenants cannot apply independently. Landlords, homeowners, second-home owners and business property owners may qualify if the building and proposed installation meet the remaining requirements.
The scheme usually supports the replacement of fossil-fuel or direct-electric systems, such as gas, oil, LPG boilers and electric storage heaters. A heat pump that replaces another low-carbon heating system will generally fall outside the programme.
Does the property need a valid EPC?
The grant journey has changed over time, and older online guides may contain outdated EPC requirements. Current eligibility should always be checked against the latest Ofgem guidance before contracts or installation dates are agreed.
Even where an EPC condition no longer blocks the application, the property still needs a suitable technical assessment. Heat loss, insulation, radiator capacity and electricity supply can affect the proposed system and its eventual running costs.
What does MCS certification actually cover?
MCS sets technical standards for renewable energy products, system design, installation work and commissioning. Certification confirms that the business has passed independent checks for the technology listed within its approved scope. An MCS Certified installer must also use eligible equipment and complete the paperwork required for the certificate. The MCS certificate becomes an important record for the grant, future warranty queries and any later sale of the property.
Can you apply after the heat pump is installed?
Retrospective applications may be possible within specific limits, but they carry extra risk. Current government eligibility information states that systems commissioned before the voucher application must have the application made correctly within 120 days of the date shown on the MCS certificate.
The safer route is to agree the grant process before installation begins. A rejected retrospective claim could leave you responsible for the entire invoice, with no guarantee that Ofgem will approve the voucher after completion.
How can you check the installer’s credentials?
Search the official MCS register and verify the company name, certification number, approved technology and current status. A logo on a van, quotation or website cannot replace a valid entry in the register.
You should also compare several quotations and examine what each price includes. Look for the heat-loss calculation, radiator upgrades, electrical work, hot-water cylinder, controls, warranties, grant deduction and expected completion schedule.
Does certification guarantee that the grant will be approved?
Certification satisfies a major requirement, although the property, technology and application must also meet the scheme conditions. Ofgem can reject claims with missing documents, incorrect information, unsuitable equipment or work completed outside the permitted timeframe.
Your installer should review eligibility before requesting a deposit. Ask when the voucher application will be submitted, how long it remains valid and what happens if Ofgem requests additional evidence.
Choose the right specialist before the paperwork begins
The installer affects every stage of the project, from the first heat-loss calculation to the final voucher redemption. Certification protects your access to the scheme and places the installation within recognised technical and consumer-protection standards.
EHS can assess your property, explain the available grant and manage the required process from quotation to commissioning. If you need an MCS Certified installer for a heat pump project, contact EHS before work begins and find out which grant value could apply to your property.
