--- title: "Air to Air Heat Pump Grant 2026: Is the £2,500 Live?" url: https://alliantenergy.co.uk/guides/air-to-air-heat-pump-grant description: "Is there an air to air heat pump grant? The £2,500 BUS grant is in the rules from 28 April 2026, but can't be claimed until MCS certifies installers." lang: en --- Heat pump grants · Air-to-air # Air-to-Air Heat Pump Grant 2026: Can You Claim the £2,500 Yet? The £2,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant for air-to-air heat pumps is in the rules, but installers can't claim it until MCS certifies them. Here's what that means, who will qualify, and when to go for the £7,500 grant instead. By **Alliant Energy Team**· reviewed by MCS Registered Engineer Last updated 27 September 2026 Get a heat pump quote: https://alliantenergy.co.uk/heat-pump-quote Request a callback: https://alliantenergy.co.uk/request-callback £2,500 Air-to-air grant 28 Apr 2026 Added to BUS rules Not yet Claimable £7,500 Air-to-water grant Is there an air to air heat pump grant? Yes on paper: the Boiler Upgrade Scheme added £2,500 for air-to-air heat pumps in homes from 28 April 2026. In practice you can't claim it yet, because MCS hasn't finished certifying air-to-air installers, and only MCS-certified installers can apply. ## Key takeaways - The BUS grant for an air-to-air heat pump is £2,500, for residential properties only (Ofgem BUS guidance v5.1 (https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2026-07/boiler_upgrade_scheme_guidance_for_property_owners_v5.1_20260630134104-20260701140218.pdf)). - MCS said in August 2026 that air-to-air heat pumps are "not currently eligible" and may be claimable "when… brought into the scope of MCS later this year" (MCS (https://mcscertified.com/consumers/consumer-grants-incentives/boiler-upgrade-scheme/)). - MCS updated its heat pump standards for air-to-air in December 2025; certification bodies still need UKAS accreditation (MCS, April 2026 (https://mcscertified.com/update-on-the-implementation-of-air-to-air-heat-pumps-into-mcs/)). - The Warm Homes Loan Scheme doesn't cover air-to-air yet for the same reason (DESNZ, Sept 2026 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6aabe96a2f29b3888481865c/warm-homes-loan-scheme-scheme-rules-sept-2026.pdf)). - Air-to-water (air source) heat pumps get £7,500 now, or £9,000 for off-gas oil and LPG homes until 31 March 2027. ## What is the £2,500 air-to-air heat pump grant? The air-to-air heat pump grant is a £2,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme discount on an air-to-air heat pump that replaces fossil-fuel or electric heating in a home. The Warm Homes Plan announced it, saying air-to-air units "can be particularly suitable in smaller properties, cheaper to install than a hydronic heat pump and able to provide cooling" (Warm Homes Plan (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/warm-homes-plan/warm-homes-plan-html)). Ofgem's property owner guidance lists four grant levels: £7,500 for air-to-water and ground source heat pumps, £2,500 for air-to-air, £5,000 for biomass, and £9,000 for off-gas homes replacing oil or LPG (Ofgem (https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2026-07/boiler_upgrade_scheme_guidance_for_property_owners_v5.1_20260630134104-20260701140218.pdf)). Our Boiler Upgrade Scheme 2026 guide (https://alliantenergy.co.uk/guides/boiler-upgrade-scheme-2026) covers the full scheme. ## Can you claim the air-to-air heat pump grant yet? Not yet. Every BUS installation must be done by an MCS-certified installer, and MCS says air-to-air heat pumps are "not currently eligible" until they're "brought into the scope of MCS later this year" (MCS, updated August 2026 (https://mcscertified.com/consumers/consumer-grants-incentives/boiler-upgrade-scheme/)). | Date | What happened | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | 10 Dec 2025 | MCS updated MCS 007, MCS 031 (new 031b for air-to-air) and MIS 3005-D to cover air-to-air design | MCS | | 13 Apr 2026 | MCS: certification bodies working towards UKAS accreditation; timescales vary | MCS | | 28 Apr 2026 | BUS regulations changed; air-to-air added at £2,500 for homes | Ofgem v5.1 | | Aug 2026 | MCS: air-to-air 'not currently eligible', expected in scope later this year | MCS | | Sept 2026 | Warm Homes Loan Scheme: air-to-air not eligible until it can be MCS certified | DESNZ | Sources: MCS standards update (https://mcscertified.com/heat-pump-standards-updated-in-first-step-towards-implementing-air-to-air-into-mcs/), MCS implementation update (https://mcscertified.com/update-on-the-implementation-of-air-to-air-heat-pumps-into-mcs/), MCS BUS page (https://mcscertified.com/consumers/consumer-grants-incentives/boiler-upgrade-scheme/), Warm Homes Loan Scheme rules (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6aabe96a2f29b3888481865c/warm-homes-loan-scheme-scheme-rules-sept-2026.pdf). Read what MCS certification means (https://alliantenergy.co.uk/guides/mcs-certification-explained) for why it matters. ## Who will qualify for the air-to-air heat pump grant? Once it opens, the air-to-air heat pump grant will follow the normal Boiler Upgrade Scheme rules, plus one extra: it's for homes only. - You own the property in England or Wales (owner-occupier or private landlord) - It's a residential property. Air-to-air is not eligible for businesses or other non-domestic buildings - You're replacing fossil-fuel (gas, oil, LPG) or electric heating, and any fossil-fuel boiler is fully removed - It isn't social housing or a new build, and hasn't had public funding for low-carbon heating before - An MCS-certified installer with a BUS account applies, and the unit is installed within the 3-month voucher window Not sure if you qualify for any heat pump grant? Use our heat pump grant eligibility checker (https://alliantenergy.co.uk/guides/heat-pump-grant-eligibility). ## Is an air-to-air heat pump the same as air conditioning? Almost. An air-to-air heat pump is a reversible air conditioning system: indoor wall or ceiling units blow warm air in winter and cool air in summer. The grant is for heating, so it has to replace your home's main heating, not just add cooling. No hot water Air-to-air heat pumps don't heat water. You'll need another way to heat your hot water, such as an electric cylinder or a separate hot water heat pump, especially if your gas boiler is being removed. ## Air-to-air vs air-to-water: which heat pump grant is better? For most houses with radiators, an air-to-water (air source) heat pump is the better route: it gets £7,500 now, heats radiators and hot water, and can be installed today. Air-to-air suits smaller, well-insulated flats and homes without a wet heating system. | | Air-to-air heat pump | Air-to-water (air source) heat pump | | --- | --- | --- | | BUS grant | £2,500 (not yet claimable) | £7,500 now (£9,000 off-gas oil/LPG) | | Heats radiators | No — warm air through indoor units | Yes, and underfloor heating | | Hot water | No — needs a separate system | Yes, with a hot water cylinder | | Cooling | Yes | No (most models) | | Property types | Homes only | Homes and small non-domestic buildings | | Warm Homes loan | Not yet | Yes, up to £20,000 before the grant | Image: Air to air heat pump grant 2026 key facts: £2,500 BUS grant, added 28 April 2026, not yet claimable until MCS certifies installers, residential only, £7,500 for air-to-water instead, 3-month voucher window (https://alliantenergy.co.uk/__l5e/assets-v1/afc8a072-dcc4-4b18-979d-abb4bb72742e/stats-air-to-air-heat-pump-grant.webp) ### Want a grant you can claim today? An air source heat pump gets £7,500 off now. We handle the Ofgem application and deduct the grant from your quote. ## Should you wait for the air-to-air grant or go ahead now? If an air-to-air system is the right fit and you want the grant, wait until MCS confirms air-to-air is in scope and your installer can apply for a voucher. A BUS grant can't be claimed for an installation that no MCS-certified installer could apply for, and retrospective claims are only allowed within 120 days of commissioning (Ofgem (https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2026-07/boiler_upgrade_scheme_guidance_for_property_owners_v5.1_20260630134104-20260701140218.pdf)). If your home has radiators, compare an air source heat pump (https://alliantenergy.co.uk/services/heat-pumps) with £7,500 off now. Our Warm Homes Plan heat pump guide (https://alliantenergy.co.uk/guides/warm-homes-plan-heat-pumps) covers low-income routes, our boiler grants guide (https://alliantenergy.co.uk/guides/grant-for-new-boiler) explains what else is open, and in Greater Manchester see heat pump and boiler grants in Greater Manchester (https://alliantenergy.co.uk/heat-pumps-greater-manchester/grants). Watch out for anyone offering a "government air con grant" today: see is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme a scam? (https://alliantenergy.co.uk/guides/is-the-boiler-upgrade-scheme-a-scam) ## Air-to-air heat pump grant FAQs ### Is there a grant for air-to-air heat pumps? Yes, on paper. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme includes a £2,500 grant for air-to-air heat pumps in homes, added from 28 April 2026. In practice it can't be claimed until MCS brings air-to-air heat pumps into its certification scheme, which MCS said in August 2026 it expects later this year. ### When can I claim the £2,500 air-to-air grant? Once MCS-certified installers can install and certify air-to-air systems. MCS updated its heat pump standards in December 2025 and said in April 2026 that certification bodies were working towards UKAS accreditation, with timescales varying. It hasn't given a firm date. ### Is the air-to-air grant an air conditioning grant? Partly. An air-to-air heat pump is a reversible air conditioning unit that heats in winter and can cool in summer. The £2,500 grant is for heating: it has to replace fossil-fuel or electric heating in a home, and it won't be paid for cooling-only units. ### Can businesses get the air-to-air heat pump grant? No. Ofgem's guidance says air-to-air heat pumps are only eligible in residential properties. Businesses can still get £7,500 for an air-to-water or ground source heat pump. ### Does an air-to-air heat pump heat hot water? No. It heats and cools rooms by blowing warm or cool air. You'll need another way to heat hot water, such as an electric cylinder or a separate hot water heat pump. ### Can I get a Warm Homes loan for an air-to-air heat pump? Not yet. The Warm Homes Loan Scheme rules (September 2026) say air-to-air heat pumps aren't currently eligible because they can't yet meet the requirement to be MCS certified. ### Should I install an air-to-air heat pump now and claim later? Only if you're happy to pay the full price. A BUS grant can only be paid if an MCS-certified installer with a BUS account applies, and retrospective applications are only possible within 120 days of commissioning. If you install before air-to-air is in MCS scope, assume there's no grant. Methodology and sources Grant values and rules come from Ofgem's BUS property owner guidance v5.1 (July 2026) and the Warm Homes Plan. MCS status comes from MCS's own consumer BUS page (updated 13 August 2026) and its December 2025 and April 2026 announcements; loan eligibility from the DESNZ Warm Homes Loan Scheme rules (September 2026). We used primary sources only, and we'll update this page when MCS confirms air-to-air is in scope. Last checked 27 September 2026. Three ways to get started ## Get a heat pump grant you can claim today £7,500 off an air source heat pump, deducted on your quote. Free survey, and we check whether air-to-air would suit your home once it's claimable. Get a heat pump quote →: https://alliantenergy.co.uk/heat-pump-quote Request a callback →: https://alliantenergy.co.uk/request-callback Accreditations ## Certified, registered, and insured. Every time. MCS certification isn't a box-ticking exercise — it qualifies your system for Smart Export Guarantee payments and government grants. Our installers are also NICEIC-approved and TrustMark-registered, and every install is fully insured. Image: Citation ISO Certification: ISO 9001 quality management, ISO 14001 environmental management and ISO 45001 occupational health and safety (https://alliantenergy.co.uk/__l5e/assets-v1/180183cd-e6fd-4b0a-984c-83e6a41390d7/accreditations-iso.jpg) Call 01282 501589: 01282501589 ## Structured data ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": [ "Organization", "LocalBusiness", "ProfessionalService" ], "@id": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/#organization", "name": "Alliant Energy Ltd", "alternateName": "Alliant Energy", "legalName": "Alliant Energy Ltd", "url": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/logo.png", "width": 320, "height": 80 }, "image": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/og-default.jpg", "description": "MCS-registered renewable energy specialists installing solar PV, battery storage, EV charging and air source heat pumps for UK homes and businesses across the North West. 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The Warm Homes Loan Scheme rules (September 2026) say air-to-air heat pumps aren't currently eligible because they can't yet meet the requirement to be MCS certified." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Should I install an air-to-air heat pump now and claim later?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Only if you're happy to pay the full price. A BUS grant can only be paid if an MCS-certified installer with a BUS account applies, and retrospective applications are only possible within 120 days of commissioning. If you install before air-to-air is in MCS scope, assume there's no grant." } } ] } ] ```