- Area
- East Sussex
- Postcode district
- BN21
- Nation
- England
- Main grant
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme, £7,500
- Survey
- Free for installation enquiries
Heat pump grants for Eastbourne homes
The question for an Eastbourne home is rarely whether a heat pump can work, but what needs to change to make it work well: radiator sizes, pipework, controls and where the unit goes.
Homeowners in Eastbourne get a clear written quote showing the full price and any funding that applies. Across Eastbourne and East Sussex, the paperwork for funding applications is prepared alongside your quote.
Heat pump funding depends on which UK nation you live in, so we confirm what applies to your home and handle the grant steps alongside your quote.
- Anyone unsure which scheme applies and wanting it checked before committing
- Homes in England and Wales on oil or LPG, where a higher grant applies between set dates
- Homeowners in England and Wales replacing gas, oil, LPG or electric heating
What's included
- Written quote showing the full price and any grant deduction
- Installation scheduled around your grant confirmation or funding offer
- MCS certificate and handover documents after installation
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme application made by the MCS-certified installer (England and Wales)
- Eligibility check for the scheme that covers your nation
We confirm at the survey which funding route a home in Eastbourne is likely to qualify for.
Grants and rules for heat pumps in England
In England the Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives £7,500 towards an air source heat pump (£9,000 if it replaces oil or LPG, from 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027), and since 28 April 2026 a valid EPC is no longer needed. The grant is applied for by the MCS-certified installer and shown as a deduction on your Eastbourne quote.
There is no VAT on installing a heat pump anywhere in the UK until 31 March 2027. In England most houses can have an air source heat pump under permitted development, provided the unit meets the MCS noise and siting standards; the old 1 m boundary limit was removed on 29 May 2025. We flag listed buildings, flats and sensitive conservation-area positions at survey.
Grants and VAT across the UK
| Nation | Main support for heat pumps | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| England | Boiler Upgrade Scheme: £7,500 (£9,000 replacing oil or LPG, 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027; £2,500 air-to-air) | MCS-certified installer applies; deducted from your quote |
| Wales | Boiler Upgrade Scheme: £7,500 (£9,000 replacing oil or LPG, 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027) | Same scheme and rules as England |
| Scotland | Home Energy Scotland grant up to £7,500, plus up to £1,500 rural uplift; interest-free loan up to £7,500 | You apply; written offer needed before work starts |
| Northern Ireland | No dedicated heat pump grant for homeowners at present | Some heat pumps funded through NISEP in the past |
Heat pump installation is zero-rated for VAT across the UK, including Northern Ireland, until 31 March 2027. Scheme figures as at October 2026; check gov.uk, Ofgem or Home Energy Scotland before relying on them.
Short winter days in Eastbourne and what they mean
Eastbourne sees roughly 7 hours 57 minutes of daylight in late December against 16 hours 30 minutes in June. Milder southern winters suit heat pumps well, though the system is still sized for a cold snap rather than an average day.
How installation works in Eastbourne
- Send your postcode and a few details, or use the guide price tool.
- A surveyor visits your Eastbourne home, measures every room and checks where the outdoor unit can go.
- You receive a heat loss design and a fixed written quote, with any grant shown where it applies.
- Installers fit the unit, cylinder and any radiator changes, typically over 2–4 days on site.
- The system is commissioned, set up with weather compensation and handed over with the paperwork.
Heat pump grants in Eastbourne: questions
Do you cover Hailsham as well as Eastbourne?
Yes. We arrange surveys and installation in Hailsham, which is about 7 miles north of Eastbourne, and across East Sussex.
Can you service a heat pump in Eastbourne that someone else installed?
Yes. We arrange servicing and repairs for most air source heat pumps in Eastbourne, whoever fitted them. Tell us the make and model when you book.
Where would the outdoor unit go on an Eastbourne house?
Usually at the side or rear, on a level base with space around it for airflow and servicing, away from bedroom windows where possible. The surveyor checks positions at your Eastbourne home.
Who applies for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
In England and Wales, the MCS-certified installer applies to Ofgem for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme on your behalf, and the grant is deducted from your quote. Ofgem then contacts you as the property owner to confirm the details. Your quote names the MCS-certified installer for your job, so you know who is making the application.
Do I need an EPC for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
No longer. Since 28 April 2026, a valid EPC is not required for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme in England and Wales. The system must still meet the home's full heating and hot water needs, which the room-by-room heat loss calculation confirms. The other eligibility rules, such as owning the property, still apply.