- Area
- Oxfordshire
- Postcode district
- OX26
- Nation
- England
- Main grant
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme, £7,500
- Survey
- Free for installation enquiries
What to know about heat pump grants in Bicester
Homes around Bicester range from older terraces to newer estates, and each needs a different design. That is why we survey before we quote.
We confirm at the survey which funding route a home in Bicester is likely to qualify for. Homeowners in Bicester get a clear written quote showing the full price and any funding that applies.
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.
- Homeowners in England and Wales replacing gas, oil, LPG or electric heating
- 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
What's included
- Eligibility check for the scheme that covers your nation
- Installation scheduled around your grant confirmation or funding offer
- MCS certificate and handover documents after installation
- Written quote showing the full price and any grant deduction
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme application made by the MCS-certified installer (England and Wales)
Oil and LPG-heated homes around Bicester can have their options set out alongside the cost of a full system.
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 Bicester 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.
How long is the heating season in Bicester?
On the shortest day Bicester gets about 7 hours 45 minutes of daylight, with the noon sun around 15° up. The heating season runs from autumn into spring, so a heat pump that is sized correctly and set up with weather compensation does most of its work in steady, cool conditions.
From survey to switch-on in Bicester
- Tell us about your home: postcode, property type and current heating.
- We book a survey in Bicester; the surveyor measures rooms, windows and radiators and looks at cylinder space.
- The design and quote arrive in writing, including radiator changes and the outdoor unit position.
- On installation days the old system is removed and the new one fitted and filled.
- We commission the heat pump, show you the controls and register the installation.
Heat pump grants in Bicester: questions
How soon can you survey a home in Bicester?
Survey dates depend on how busy installers are in Oxfordshire. We offer the next available dates when you enquire and confirm them in writing.
How long does installation take in Bicester?
Most installations take 2–4 days on site. Jobs with several radiator changes or new pipework take longer, and your quote for a Bicester home states the expected time.
What size heat pump does a Bicester home need?
It depends on the heat loss, not the postcode. As a rough guide, a 3 bedroom semi often needs 6–9 kW, but the room-by-room survey sets the actual size for your Bicester 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.