Guide · Grants
Heat pump grants in Northern Ireland
The rules are genuinely different here — plan the budget accordingly.
Northern Ireland is not covered by the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which applies to England and Wales only (GOV.UK, 2026). Support in Northern Ireland comes through the Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme and the Affordable Warmth Scheme for eligible households, so most owner-occupiers pay the full £9,000–£14,000 install cost.
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What support exists
- Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP) — supplier-funded measures delivered through appointed scheme managers.
- Affordable Warmth Scheme — council-administered support for lower-income households.
- Energy supplier efficiency offers, which vary year to year.
The oil-heating context
A large share of Northern Ireland homes heat with oil. Because oil prices are volatile and oil boilers deliver roughly one unit of heat per unit of fuel, the running cost improvement from a heat pump is typically larger here than in a mains gas home — which changes the payback maths even without a grant.
Budgeting without the grant
- Air source install: £9,000–£14,000 typical.
- Insulation first — it reduces the unit size and the total spend.
- Get at least three quotes; the spread is wider in a smaller installer market.
- Check installer certification and manufacturer warranty terms carefully.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the £7,500 grant apply in Northern Ireland?
- No. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme covers England and Wales only.
- Is there any heat pump funding in Northern Ireland?
- Support is available through NISEP and the Affordable Warmth Scheme for eligible households, rather than a universal grant.
- Is a heat pump worth it replacing oil in Northern Ireland?
- Running cost savings against oil are usually larger than against mains gas, though the absence of a grant lengthens the payback period.
- Energy Saving Trust — Heat pump efficiency, running cost and SCOP benchmarks (UK).
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme — GOV.UK — Official guidance on the £7,500 BUS grant in England and Wales.
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