- Area
- Greater London
- Postcode district
- SW12
- Nation
- England
- Main grant
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme, £7,500
- Survey
- Free for installation enquiries
Heat pump grants in Balham: what to expect
In Balham, as anywhere in the UK, the heat pumps that perform well are the ones designed around low flow temperatures and sized from a proper heat loss calculation.
We confirm at the survey which funding route a home in Balham is likely to qualify for. Installation dates in Balham are fixed around any funding confirmation, so work does not start too early.
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.
- Homes in England and Wales on oil or LPG, where a higher grant applies between set dates
- Landlords in England and Wales, who can apply for their let properties
- 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
- MCS certificate and handover documents after installation
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme application made by the MCS-certified installer (England and Wales)
- Installation scheduled around your grant confirmation or funding offer
- Eligibility check for the scheme that covers your nation
For landlords with property in Balham, we explain the funding position for each home before quoting.
Grants and rules for heat pumps in England
Homes in Balham can use the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which takes £7,500 off the cost of an air source heat pump when it replaces fossil-fuel or electric heating. Replacing oil or LPG heating qualifies for £9,000 for installations from 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027, and air-to-air systems for £2,500. The MCS-certified installer named in your quote applies for the grant and deducts it from the price.
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.
Winter daylight and heating in Balham
On the shortest day Balham gets about 7 hours 50 minutes of daylight, and the winter sun reaches only around 15° above the horizon at noon. Winters this far south are milder than in most of the UK, which helps a heat pump run at low flow temperatures for much of the season.
How installation works in Balham
- Send your postcode and a few details, or use the guide price tool.
- A surveyor visits your Balham 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 Balham: questions
How soon can you survey a home in Balham?
Survey dates depend on how busy installers are in Greater London. We offer the next available dates when you enquire and confirm them in writing.
How long does installation take in Balham?
Most installations take 2–4 days on site. Jobs with several radiator changes or new pipework take longer, and your quote for a Balham home states the expected time.
Where would the outdoor unit go on a Balham 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 Balham 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.