Heat Pump Grants Northern Ireland 2026
Heat Pump Grants in Northern Ireland: Fewer Options, But Still Worth Knowing
Let's be straight with you: Northern Ireland gets less government support for heat pumps than the rest of the UK. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme — which gives £7,500 to homeowners in England and Wales — doesn't apply here. That's a real gap, and it's frustrating.
But there are still routes to funding, and the financial case for switching to a heat pump is actually stronger in Northern Ireland than almost anywhere else in the UK. Here's why, and what support is available.
Why NI Has No Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Energy policy is devolved in Northern Ireland, and NI has its own funding mechanisms. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is administered by Ofgem and applies only to Great Britain. The Northern Ireland Executive has its own schemes, but they're more limited in scope and funding levels.
NISEP: The Main NI Scheme
The Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP) is run by the Utility Regulator and funded by a levy on electricity bills. It works similarly to ECO4 in GB — energy companies deliver energy efficiency measures to eligible households.
NISEP can fund heat pump installations for some households, but it's primarily focused on lower-income households and tends to prioritise insulation and heating controls first. Availability depends on what energy companies are offering under the scheme in a given year, so it's worth checking with your electricity supplier directly.
To find out what's currently available under NISEP, contact your electricity supplier (Power NI, SSE Airtricity, or Budget Energy) and ask what energy efficiency measures they're currently offering.
Affordable Warmth Scheme
If your household income is below £23,000 and you live in a private property (not Housing Executive), the Affordable Warmth scheme could help. It's administered by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and can fund:
- Replacement heating systems, including heat pumps in some cases
- Insulation measures
- Energy efficiency improvements
The income threshold is lower than equivalent schemes in GB, which means fewer households qualify. But for those who do, the support can be significant.
Contact the Housing Executive on 03448 920 900 or apply through your local Housing Executive office.
Oil Boiler Replacement Grants
Some Northern Ireland councils have run targeted grants for replacing old oil boilers, including with heat pumps. These tend to come and go — check with your local council directly, as availability changes year to year.
Honest Assessment: NI vs GB Support
| Support Type | Northern Ireland | England/Wales | Scotland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main heat pump grant | None (no BUS) | £7,500 (BUS) | £7,500 grant + £7,500 loan |
| Low-income fully funded route | Limited (NISEP, Affordable Warmth) | ECO4 | Warmer Homes Scotland |
| Interest-free loan available? | No | No | Yes (up to £7,500) |
The Silver Lining: NI Has the Best Case for Switching
Here's what most guides don't tell you. Around 68% of Northern Ireland homes heat with oil — far higher than anywhere else in the UK. And oil is expensive, volatile, and the price has been brutal in recent years.
A heat pump running on electricity replaces an oil boiler entirely. The savings from dropping oil costs can be very substantial — potentially £600–£1,200 per year depending on your usage and tariff. Over 10–15 years, that pays for a heat pump installation several times over, even without a government grant.
Add in the 0% VAT on heat pump installations (which applies UK-wide, including NI), and the actual net cost is lower than the headline price suggests. A £10,000 installation would have cost £12,000 at the old 20% VAT rate — so you're already saving £2,000 compared to a few years ago.
What to Do if You're in NI
- Check Affordable Warmth eligibility first if your income is below £23,000 — call the Housing Executive on 03448 920 900
- Contact your electricity supplier about NISEP measures currently available
- Check your local council for any targeted grant schemes
- If you don't qualify for any scheme, get quotes from MCS-certified installers and look at whether a 0% finance arrangement makes sense given the oil savings you'd make
The gap in NI support is real and it's worth lobbying your Assembly representative about. But don't let the lack of a BUS grant stop you from at least exploring what a heat pump would cost and save — the numbers can still work in your favour.