Looking for heat pump installers in Bolton? Alliant Energy fits MCS-certified air source heat pumps across Bolton for £8,000–£15,000 before grants. 151 local homes have claimed the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, and we handle the application for you.
Key takeaways for Bolton
- 151 Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump grants were paid in Bolton from May 2022 to June 2026: 12.7 per 10,000 households, 6th of 10 Greater Manchester boroughs (DESNZ/Ofgem).
- 43 grants were paid in 2025/26, down 9% on the year before.
- 81.0% of Bolton households heat with mains gas only, the heating most BUS heat pumps replace (Census 2021).
- 51.5% of Bolton homes are EPC band C or above (6th in Greater Manchester; England 53.3%), but only 30.6% of pre-1929 homes are (ONS).
- The typical installed cost is £8,000–£15,000. The national BUS median is £12,908, leaving about £5,400 after the grant.
How much does a heat pump cost in Bolton?
A fully installed air source heat pump in Bolton typically costs £8,000–£15,000 before grants. That is in line with Ofgem's national BUS median of £12,908 for April–June 2026. After the £7,500 grant, most Bolton homeowners pay £500–£7,500.
| Property type | Typical installed cost before grant | After £7,500 BUS grant |
|---|---|---|
| 2-bed terrace or flat | £7,000–£10,000 | £0–£2,500 |
| 3-bed semi-detached | £9,000–£13,000 | £1,500–£5,500 |
| 4-bed detached | £11,000–£15,000 | £3,500–£7,500 |
| Oil-heated home (£9,000 BUS rate) | £11,000–£15,000 | £2,000–£6,000 |
With 33.2% of homes terraced, many Bolton installs fall into the terrace row: smaller units, but often more radiator upgrades. A new hot water cylinder, radiator upgrades or electrical work are quoted separately after survey. Our heat pump installation page lists every extra.
Are Bolton homes suitable for a heat pump?
One in three Bolton homes is a terrace (33.2%), much of it older housing close to the town centre and in Farnworth. Bolton's older homes perform better than most in Greater Manchester, though: 30.6% of its pre-1929 homes reach EPC band C, the highest in the city region. That makes more of Bolton's older housing heat-pump-ready than people expect. Boiler Upgrade Scheme take-up is still below the Greater Manchester average at 12.7 grants per 10,000 households.
| Housing (Census 2021 / ONS EPC) | Bolton | Greater Manchester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-detached | 35.9% | 37.9% | 31.5% |
| Terraced | 33.2% | 28.5% | 23.0% |
| Detached | 17.5% | 14.2% | 22.9% |
| Flats (purpose-built) | 11.1% | 16.3% | 17.1% |
| Heated by mains gas only | 81.0% | 78.1% | 74.0% |
| Owner-occupied | 61.5% | 58.0% | 61.3% |
| EPC band C or above | 51.5% | — | 53.3% |
| Median EPC score | 69 | — | 69 |
Insulation first
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How many heat pumps have been installed in Bolton?
151 Bolton heat pumps were paid a Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant between May 2022 and June 2026. That is 12.7 per 10,000 households, below the Greater Manchester average of 15 and well below the England average of 35.2. On EPC records, heat pumps are the main heating in 0.37% of Bolton homes (England: 1.38%).
| Financial year | BUS heat pump grants paid in Bolton |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 (from May 2022) | 9 |
| 2023/24 | 32 |
| 2024/25 | 47 |
| 2025/26 | 43 |
Which heat pump grants can Bolton homeowners claim?
| Grant | Amount | Relevance in Bolton |
|---|---|---|
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme | £7,500 | Most homeowners. 81.0% of homes are mains-gas-only. |
| BUS oil-home rate | £9,000 (from 21 July 2026) | 250 oil-only households (Census 2021) |
| Warm Homes: Local Grant | Up to £15,000 heating + £15,000 upgrades | Owner-occupiers with EPC D–G and income under £36,000 or other qualifying routes |
The BUS grant is paid to your MCS-certified installer and deducted from your invoice (Energy Saving Trust). The Warm Homes: Local Grant is a Greater Manchester-wide scheme delivered by the councils. Bolton residents apply through the GMCA Retrofit Portal. More detail is in our Warm Homes Plan Greater Manchester guide and Boiler Upgrade Scheme guide.
Which parts of Bolton do we cover?
We cover all of Bolton: Horwich, Westhoughton, Farnworth, Little Lever, Kearsley, Blackrod, Bromley Cross, Harwood. Postcodes: BL1–BL7. Alliant Energy is based in Nelson, Lancashire and travels to Bolton for surveys and installations.
Neighbouring boroughs we also cover:
Heat pumps in Wigan
Leigh · Atherton · Hindley · Standish
177 BUS grants paid · 12.4 per 10,000 homes · 54% EPC C+
Heat pumps in Bury
Prestwich · Whitefield · Radcliffe · Ramsbottom
145 BUS grants paid · 18 per 10,000 homes · 45% EPC C+
Heat pumps in Salford
Eccles · Swinton · Walkden · Worsley
146 BUS grants paid · 12.7 per 10,000 homes · 71% EPC C+
See all areas on our Greater Manchester heat pump installers page.
Get a free heat pump quote in Bolton
What type of property do you live in?
Heat pump FAQs for Bolton
How much does a heat pump cost in Bolton?
A fully installed air source heat pump in Bolton typically costs £8,000–£15,000 before grants, in line with the national BUS median of £12,908 (April–June 2026). After the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, a 3-bed semi usually costs £1,500–£5,500. 35.9% of Bolton homes are semi-detached.
How many heat pump grants have been paid in Bolton?
151 Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump grants were paid in Bolton between May 2022 and June 2026, including 43 in the 2025/26 financial year. That is 12.7 per 10,000 households, below the Greater Manchester average of 15 and below the England average of 35.2.
Is there a heat pump grant for Bolton residents?
Yes. Bolton homeowners can claim the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme, or £9,000 if switching from heating oil (250 Bolton households were oil-only in Census 2021). Lower-income households with an EPC of D–G can apply for the Greater Manchester Warm Homes: Local Grant through the GMCA Retrofit Portal, which can fully fund a heat pump.
Are Bolton homes suitable for a heat pump?
Most are. 81.0% of Bolton households heat with mains gas only, which is the profile most BUS heat pumps replace. 51.5% of homes are EPC band C or above (England: 53.3%), and homes below band C may need insulation or radiator upgrades first. A heat loss survey confirms this.
Which parts of Bolton do you cover?
All of it, including Horwich, Westhoughton, Farnworth, Little Lever, Kearsley, Blackrod, Bromley Cross and Harwood (postcodes BL1–BL7). Alliant Energy is based in Nelson, Lancashire and covers every Greater Manchester borough.
How long does a heat pump installation take in Bolton?
Typically 2–3 days on site. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme voucher must be approved first, which usually takes 2–4 weeks, and we handle the application. Most customers go from survey to switch-on in 6–10 weeks.
Methodology and sources
Bolton figures come from Boiler Upgrade Scheme redemptions by local authority (DESNZ/Ofgem, August 2026 release), Census 2021 tables TS044, TS046 and TS054 (ONS via Nomis) and EPC records to March 2025 (ONS). Per-household rates use 118,789 Bolton households (Census 2021). Data checked 2026-09-27.
