Activair Manufacturer Welcomes Boost To Boiler Upgrade Scheme As Households Seek Protection From Rising Energy Costs

The recent announcement of a year-long uplift to the Government grant supporting the replacement of specific types of fossil fuel boilers is already resulting in significant increases in the number of households switching to high-efficiency heat pumps, particularly in more remote rural areas.

Previously set at £7,500, those in England and Wales taking advantage of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) to switch from using an LPG or oil-fired appliance to a far more efficient and eco-friendly air-to-water heat pump, such as those sold by Trianco, will now receive a maximum of £9,000, which can cover the entire installation cost depending on the size of the property.

The increased funding comes at a particularly important time, following Ofgem's announcement that the energy price cap will rise from October, placing further pressure on household energy bills. As much of the increase is being driven by higher gas prices, many homeowners are looking for ways to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and gain greater control over their long-term heating costs.

As before, the BUS funding will be paid directly to the customer's chosen Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) installer. Undoubtedly, many more households now appear to be taking the plunge and going green.

Peter Beighton, Managing Director of Trianco, commented: "It is very welcome that the Government has upped the level of funding under the scheme, which now means many property owners can see their poorly performing old heating systems replaced without having to pay towards the installation themselves. It's great news for the occupants as well as the environment. We have seen a significant rise in heat pump orders since the grant for oil or LPG boilers was raised to £9,000."

He continued: "The latest energy price cap increase is another reminder of the volatility associated with fossil fuel markets. By switching to a high-efficiency air source heat pump, homeowners can significantly reduce their dependence on gas, oil or LPG while benefiting from improved efficiency and potentially lower heating costs. Combined with the enhanced Boiler Upgrade Scheme funding, there has never been a better time for households to take control of their energy bills and protect themselves against future price rises."

While there is a separate funding stream available in Scotland, and upgrades to social housing properties are addressed through initiatives such as Warm Homes, Trianco is expecting to see many more customers in off-grid locations across hotspots such as Cornwall, Wales and Lincolnshire come forward between now and the end of March 2027, when the temporary uplift is due to end.

Peter Beighton added: "The majority of our installations involve one-, two- or three-bedroom homes where the engineer can offer what is effectively a free installation because the grant is sufficient to cover not just the purchase cost of the heat pump, but all of the work required within the property. For many households, making the switch now can provide immediate savings on upfront costs while helping to shield them from future fluctuations in fossil fuel prices."

Trianco has also seen a significant number of its heat pumps, including the recently launched Trianco Activair Indoor Heat Pump, being fitted in park homes. Although such properties are typically not as well insulated as more traditionally built homes, their relatively small footprint means the output from a heat pump is more than adequate to cope with the elevated heat loss that park homes can experience.

With energy costs remaining a concern for many households and Government support at its highest ever level for eligible off-grid homes, Trianco believes the current market conditions present a compelling opportunity for homeowners to improve comfort, reduce carbon emissions and gain greater certainty over future heating costs. For more information visit www.trianco.co.uk