If you’ve had a heat pump installed with help from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant and you’re now thinking about moving, the good news is you don’t need to repay anything. The grant is a one-off discount applied to the installation at your current property, not a personal cash sum, so it stays with the house rather than travelling with you.
Is the Heat Pump Grant Tied to You or the Property?
It’s tied to the property and the installation, not to you personally. Your MCS certified installer applies for the grant on your behalf, and it’s paid out as a discount once the heat pump has been installed and checked. Once that’s done, the grant has served its purpose and the heat pump simply becomes part of the property, the same as a boiler or a kitchen would be.
What Happens to the Grant If You Sell Shortly After Installing a Heat Pump?
Based on current Ofgem guidance, there’s no requirement to repay the grant if you sell your home after having a heat pump installed. The scheme’s checks and conditions apply at the point of installation, not at the point of sale, so a well maintained heat pump with its paperwork in order can be a genuine selling point rather than a liability.
Can You Apply for a New Grant at Your Next Home?
Yes, provided your new property is eligible. Grant eligibility is assessed property by property, so moving to a new home that still has a fossil fuel or electric heating system means you could apply for a fresh Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant there, subject to the usual rules on property type, EPC and installation standards.
What If You’re Buying a House That Already Has a Heat Pump?
If the property you’re buying has already received Boiler Upgrade Scheme funding for its heat pump, you won’t be able to claim a further grant for that same system. You do, however, inherit the heat pump itself along with any manufacturer guarantee still running, so it’s worth asking the seller for the installation paperwork, MCS certificate and service history as part of the sale.
Current Boiler Upgrade Scheme Grant Amounts
Grant values can change, so it’s always worth checking the latest figures before you plan a move around them. As it stands:
- £7,500 off an air-to-water, ground source or water source heat pump
- £2,500 off an air-to-air heat pump
- £5,000 off a biomass boiler
- £9,000 off an air-to-water or ground source heat pump for eligible off-gas grid properties, available from 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027
Does a Heat Pump Add Value to Your Home When You Sell?
It can, though it’s rarely a straightforward pound for pound uplift. What tends to make the difference to buyers is running cost and comfort rather than the grant itself, since the grant was a one-off discount you benefited from at installation, not something reflected as a line item in the sale price. A well maintained heat pump with a good EPC rating and low running costs is a genuine plus in a viewing, particularly with more buyers now asking about energy efficiency before they make an offer.
What About VAT and Other Heat Pump Incentives?
Separately from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, there’s currently 0% VAT on the installation of heat pumps and other energy-saving materials, running until 31 March 2027. This isn’t something that gets clawed back or transferred when you move either, it simply reduced what you paid at the time of installation. Worth knowing if you’re weighing up the full cost picture before deciding whether to install now or wait until you’re in your next home.
Things to Check Before You Move With a Heat Pump Installed
A little preparation makes the handover smoother for you and for the new owner:
- Keep hold of your MCS certificate and Boiler Upgrade Scheme paperwork to pass on at sale
- Check what’s left of your manufacturer or installer guarantee, and whether it transfers automatically to a new owner
- Have your service history up to date, it reassures buyers the system has been properly maintained
- Mention the heat pump and its efficiency benefits to your estate agent, many buyers now see it as a genuine plus point
Common Questions About Moving House With a Heat Pump Grant
Do I have to pay back the grant if I sell my house?
No, current Ofgem guidance doesn’t require repayment of the grant when you sell. It’s a one-off installation discount, not a loan.
Can the new owner of my house get a grant for the heat pump I already installed?
No, a property that has already received Boiler Upgrade Scheme funding for its heat pump isn’t eligible for a further grant on that same system.
Will I get another grant if I move to a house without a heat pump?
You may, provided your new property and the planned installation meet the current eligibility criteria. Each application is assessed on the property itself, not your history with the scheme.
If you’re planning a move and want honest advice on your heat pump, its grant history, or whether a new installation makes sense at your next home, get in touch with our team. You can find out more about our heat pump installations and current grant funding, or read about our accreditations and family-run team before you call. For the latest official scheme rules, you can also check the Boiler Upgrade Scheme guidance on the Ofgem website. We install heat pumps and handle grant applications across Trowbridge, Melksham, Westbury, Frome, Warminster and Chippenham.