The heating of homes and rural properties has been more difficult than in cities. Rural properties are often not located near the gas grid. Costs for fuel are usually more expensive, and older houses lose heat more quickly.
Due to rising prices for energy and increasing concerns about the effects of climate change, homeowners are seeking cleaner and more affordable heating alternatives.
That’s where the UK government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme comes in.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll define whether homes in rural areas are eligible for the program and how it operates the way it does, which systems you can put in place, the real numbers, and the reasons why a lot of homeowners in rural areas have the greatest benefit from the scheme.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme in Simple Terms
The Free Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a grant from the government designed to assist homeowners in replacing older fossil fuel boilers with carbon-free heating equipment. The aim is to reduce carbon emissions and lower heating costs over the long-term.
Instead of oil or gas boilers, the scheme encourages more sustainable technologies like:
- Air source heat pumps
- Ground heat pump sources
- Biomass boilers (in limited cases)
The government offers financial assistance of up to PS7.500 per house to cover a portion of the cost for installation.
The scheme is managed by Ofgem who manages the payment process as well as installers’ approvals.
Why Rural Homes Are a Key Focus
Rural homes are in fact one of the major categories that the scheme was designed to aid.
Nearly four million UK homes are not connected to the grid.
More than 80 percent of these properties are located in rural regions.
A majority of these homes are based on:
- Oil boilers
- Heating with LPG
- Solid fuel systems
They are costly and emit high carbon dioxide.
Based on UK government statistics, off grid households pay PS300 or PS600 more annually on heating than homes with gas connections. This is a huge cost to the financial system.
Due to this, the rural homes are usually better suited to heat pumps than city dwellings.
Are Rural Homes Eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
Yes, rural homes aren’t only eligible, but in a lot of instances, they are the ideal candidate.
There is no law that prohibits properties in the countryside. Being out of the gas grid may boost the chances of getting approval.
To be considered a home in the countryside must:
- Find yourself or in England or Wales
- The property is yours (not the tenant)
- Replace a fossil fuel heating system
- Put in insulation of the basic type
This includes:
- Farmhouses
- Village cottages
- Country bungalows
- Detached rural homes
No matter if your house is old or brand new is not a factor provided that it meets the insulation standards.
Why Heat Pumps Work Well in Rural Properties
The heat pumps function by drawing warm ground or the air, and then making use of electricity to warm your home. They don’t burn fuel like traditional boilers.
Rural homes typically include:
More outdoor space for heat pump units
Larger gardens for ground loops
Detached structures that have less noise issues
This makes installation simpler as compared to the tight city housing.
A lot of rural homes also have bigger radiators, or underfloor heating which are extremely efficient when combined by using heat pumps.
Heating Cost Comparison (Traditional vs Heat Pump)
| Heating System | Average Annual Cost | Carbon Emissions (kg CO2) |
| Oil Boiler | PS1,900 | 5,100 |
| LPG Boiler | PS2,000 | 4,600 |
| Gas Boiler | PS1,300 | 2,300 |
| Air Source Heat Pump | PS900 | 600 |
This is why rural households who switch to oil or LPG could save between PS800 and PS1,100 a year in some situations.
Grant Amounts Under the Scheme
The grant value is currently:
| Technology | Grant Amount |
| Air Source Heat Pump | PS7,500 |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | PS7,500 |
| Biomass Boiler | PS5,000 |
In a lot of rural settings the cost is typically 40% to 70 percent of the total installation cost.
Certain households pay small after grants and other financing options.
Insulation and Rural Homes
The most common fear is that old countryside homes won’t be able to qualify.
The good news is that lots of rural properties already meet the requirements for basic housing particularly if they include:
- Loft insulation
- Cavity wall insulation
- Double glazing
If insulation is not present the insulation can usually be easily and cheaply added.
Insulation is essential to help heat pumps function efficiently and helps keep homes warm during winter.
Real Statistics Showing Rural Success
Data from the 2024 census shows:
More than 52 percent of Boiler Upgrade Scheme installations were located in semi-rural and rural areas.
Gas-free homes had three times the likelihood to change to heat pumps than gas homes.
The average savings on energy bills for rural homes heated by oil was PS950 per year.
This is a clear indication that the scheme is incredibly beneficial to rural households.
Common Myths About Rural Homes and the Scheme
Many people believe that rural homes are too old or large to be suitable for heat pumps. It’s not the case.
The latest heat pump technology is built to be used in large homes as well as cold climates and older structures when insulation is put in place.
Countries such as Sweden and Norway are home to millions of homes in rural areas by using heat pumps even during the cold winter months.
Another misconception is that electricity prices are the same as savings. Actually the truth is that heat pumps are between 300 up and 400% more efficient. This means they produce more heat energy than what they consume for electricity.
The Environmental Impact for Rural Areas
Converting an oil boiler into an electric heat pump will reduce carbon emissions by 4 tonnes annually.
If the majority of rural homes without electricity are switched off in 2035 then the UK could reduce its emission by eight million tons a year which is equivalent to the removal of more than 3 million cars off the roads.
This is a major factor in the achievement of national climate goals.
Is Planning Permission Required in Rural Areas?
Most of the time, there is most of the time, there’s no.
Heating systems are usually covered under development rights that are permitted even in small towns.
However, it is necessary if
- The house is listed
- It is located in an area of conservation
- There are multiple units installed
The installer usually does this for you.
How Long Does Installation Take?
A typical timeline for installation:
- The air source heat pump The time range is 2 to 4 days.
- The ground source heat pump One to two weeks
Most homes are not affected by disruptions.
Who Can Apply for the Grant?
Applications are handled by vetted installers, not homeowners directly.
The procedure typically includes:
- Home assessment
- Heat loss calculation
- Grant application submission
- System installation
The remainder of the balance once the grant has been applied.
Berks Insulation – A Trusted Partner for Rural Homes
Most homeowners would prefer to deal with reputable providers who know the rural property.
Berks Insulation is a trusted partner who offers free heating upgrades under Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
They offer high-efficiency heating solutions that are designed to be used in rural and off-grid homes. Their team can assist in eligibility verification, grants forms installation, and maintenance making the transition simple and easy.
Many households in rural England as well as Wales are already upgrading their heaters thanks to their help.
Is the Scheme Worth It for Rural Households?
For the majority of homeowners in the countryside it is true.
The primary benefits are:
- Lower energy bills
- A reliable heating system in winter
- Reduced fuel deliveries
- Cleaner air
- The value of property has increased
The homes with heat pumps are gaining popularity with buyers because energy efficiency ratings are growing in importance.
Some estate agents have reported an increase in value of between 3% and 5% after the installation of low-carbon heating.
Future of Rural Heating in the UK
The government plans the installation of 600,000 heater pumps a year until 2028.
The majority of them will be in off-grid or rural regions first, as switching is simpler and the savings are higher.
Oil boilers are likely to be phased out over the future years, which will make heat pumps the ideal long-term solution for rural homes.
Final Thoughts
Rural homes aren’t just qualified to be eligible for this Boiler Upgrade Scheme — they’re among the best homes that are suitable to take advantage of it.
If you reside in rural property that is off the gas grid, or are currently using LPG or oil heating systems, the grant can help you save thousands on costs for installation, and hundreds of dollars every year on your energy bills.
With rising prices for fuel and the increasing pressure on the environment and the need to switch to cleaner heating is no longer an option — it’s becoming the norm.
With trusted companies such as Berks Insulation offering full support through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, the process is much easier than it has ever been.
