New UK Air-Conditioning Grant: What Homeowners Need to Know…
What’s changed.
The UK government has expanded its Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) to include air-to-air heat pumps, meaning homes can now get £2,500 off when installing cooling-capable systems.
This is a landmark move, because it’s the first time that the government has subsidised home cooling technology under a clean heating grant.
Also included are grants for heat batteries, you can get £2,500 off to install one of these to store heat overnight.
The scheme is part of the broader Warm Homes Plan, which aims to help around 5 million families and is backed by £13.2 billion of funding.
Why This Is a Big Deal!
Historically, UK grant schemes like affordable warmth and ECO focused only on heating and insulation.
But as summers get hotter, cooling is becoming just as important.
Air-to-air systems are more compact than typical air to water heat pumps, making them especially suited to flats and smaller homes.
More Choice for Homeowners
With this expansion, households will have greater flexibility: not just to switch to low-carbon heating, but also to add cooling.
The inclusion of heat batteries further broadens options, giving people the ability to store heat when electricity is cheap and use it later.
The typical cost of an air-to-air heat pump is around £4,500. With the £2,500 grant, more than half of the up-front cost can be covered.
Importantly, this subsidy helps reduce the financial barrier for installing modern, efficient cooling systems, not just heating upgrades.
The scheme is handled via the existing Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) infrastructure, which means familiar processes for installers and homeowners.
There’s also a growing pool of MCS-certified installers, and demand for heat pumps is rising fast.
Things to Consider.
Eligibility.
As with other BUS grants, there will be criteria to meet — make sure you check that your installer is certified and that your property qualifies.
Upfront Cost.
Even with a grant, there’s still a portion to pay. But because the £2,500 is paid during installation (not claimed back later), it’s more accessible.
Running Costs.
While air-to-air systems are efficient, they will still use electricity — so think about how this fits into your broader energy usage and bills.
Heat Battery Option.
If you’re interested in storing heat (for night-time or low-energy hours), a heat battery might make sense. But check that installers near you support/service and repair them.
Planning and Installation.
Some regulatory changes have made installations easier (e.g., planning relaxations) to support uptake.
Why It Matters More Now.
Climate trends.
UK summers are warming. More homes may want cooling, not just heating, especially in urban areas or flats.
Net zero goals.
Encouraging efficient, dual-purpose heat pumps helps the UK reduce reliance on fossil-fuel heating.
Energy bills.
Using electrical cooling/heating wisely (especially paired with heat batteries) can help households manage energy costs, particularly if electricity demand shifts.
What to Do If You’re Interested.
Get a quote from an MCS-certified installer.
You will need an installer who understands both heat pumps and air-to-air systems. Always make sure they are registered with a trade body and also have some experience!
Check your eligibility for the BUS grant.
Make sure you have or can get any required documentation (e.g., energy performance certificate).
Check eligibility here.
Compare running costs.
Ask installers to model how much it might cost you to run the system year-round.
Plan ahead.
As demand grows, it’s likely that good installers will be booked out — so getting surveys done early could pay off.
This new £2,500 grant for air-to-air heat pumps is a significant policy shift. It isn’t just about heating any more, cooling is now part of the conversation. For homeowners, especially those in smaller homes or flats, this could make efficient, all-year-round comfort a realistic upgrade.
