Thousands of rural households across England could now benefit from increased government support to make their homes warmer, greener and cheaper to heat.

The Government has announced that eligible households currently using heating oil can now receive up to £9,000 towards the cost of installing a heat pump through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, an increase from the previous £7,500 grant.

Heat pumps use electricity and renewable energy from the air or ground to provide heating and hot water, offering a cleaner alternative to traditional oil heating systems. The increased grant is designed to help more households make the switch to low-carbon heating and reduce their reliance on volatile fossil fuel prices.

Eligible households will receive information directly about the funding available and how to apply over the coming weeks.

Martin McCluskey MP, Minister for Energy Consumers, said the enhanced support will help more families transition to clean heating while reducing exposure to fluctuating fuel costs.

The announcement is particularly significant for rural communities, where many homes are not connected to the gas grid and rely on heating oil or LPG. These households have often faced some of the highest and most unpredictable energy costs in recent years.

As part of the ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England) network, Connecting Communities in Berkshire (CCB) welcomes measures that recognise the unique challenges faced by rural households. ACRE has consistently advocated for targeted support to help rural communities transition to net zero while ensuring homes remain affordable to heat.

We encourage residents to explore the support available and consider whether a heat pump could be suitable for their home.

For more information, visit: https://cleanenergy.campaign.gov.uk/