Comparing UK Boiler Upgrade Scheme and SSRH: Choosing the Best Heat Pump Grant

Grant Showdown: UK vs Ireland

Choosing the right renewable-heat incentive can feel like wandering through a maze. On one side, the UK’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers grants to slash your carbon footprint. On the other, Ireland’s Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) backs homes and businesses across the Irish Sea. Both promise big savings and greener living. Both drip-feed jargon. Both make promises. So which fits your project?

In this guide, we’ll break down the Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump grant versus SSRH. You’ll learn who qualifies, how much cash you get, and how easy (or painful) the paperwork is. Plus, you’ll discover how Megawave: Eco-Friendly Heating Revolution for Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump installations can fast-track your journey to efficient, low-carbon heating—all without drowning in forms.

What Is the UK Boiler Upgrade Scheme?

Overview

Launched in April 2022, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) aims to phase out fossil-fuel boilers. It’s a pump-priming grant: a fixed £7,500 voucher for air source heat pumps or £6,000 for ground source. Replace your old boiler, and the UK government picks up much of the tab.

Eligibility and Grant Details

• UK homeowners, private landlords, and some social housing providers can apply.
• Your property must be in England or Wales (different schemes exist in Scotland and Northern Ireland).
• You need an MCS-certified installer. That’s where Megawave’s expert installation team comes in.
• The grant covers the heat pump hardware and parts of the installation cost.
• You claim via the installer—no direct application.

It’s straightforward. But watch out for lead times. Grants are limited and allocated monthly. Apply early to secure your Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump funding before quotas run out.

Ireland’s SSRH: The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat

Overview

Ireland’s SSRH launched in 2021 to wean homes and businesses off fossil boilers. It offers up to €7,000 for air source and up to €28,000 for biomass boilers and heat pumps. Payments are tiered—initial instalments, then follow-up cash once everything’s tested and commissioned.

Eligibility and Grant Details

• Available to homeowners, SMEs, and public bodies in the Republic of Ireland.
• Must replace an existing fossil-fuel boiler.
• Funding split into two payments: 30% on approval, remainder after installation.
• Requires a registered installer and BER (Building Energy Rating) improvement.

SSRH’s multi-stage payout means you see cash at every milestone. But the paperwork? More layers than a mille-feuille. You’ll need to lodge technical files, BER results, and proof of removal.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Grant Size

Both schemes offer similar support for air source heat pumps. The UK’s fixed £7,500 vs Ireland’s €7,000. Slight edge to the UK if sterling is stronger. But SSRH’s multi-stage payments can help cash flow.

Eligible Technologies

• BUS: Air source & ground source heat pumps.
• SSRH: Air source & biomass (and some geothermal).

If you fancy biomass, SSRH wins. For pure air source, it’s neck-and-neck.

Application Process

BUS is simpler. Your MCS installer applies directly, you get the voucher. SSRH demands online forms, BER improvements, shredloads of evidence. Less drama with the UK route.

Need a slick install quote? Start your air source heat pump quote

Regional Availability

Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump grants cover England and Wales. Scotland runs its own Scottish Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and Northern Ireland has a separate programme. SSRH is strictly ROI.

Value for SMEs

If you run a small B&B in Cornwall, BUS is your path. An artisan bakery in Cork? SSRH steps in. Both help cut energy bills and carbon. Both demand professional installers. Both reward early birds.

Why Choose Megawave for Your Heat Pump Installation?

At Megawave, we blend zero-carbon refrigerants with top-tier service. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Utilisation of R290, a zero-carbon refrigerant.
• Expert installation & MCS certification.
• Flexible finance options—spread costs.
• Comprehensive maintenance support.

Our clients see up to 60% cut in heating costs. And minimal carbon. We handle the paperwork. We guide you through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump grant. Less stress. More warmth.

Ready to explore your options? Get your bespoke air source heat pump quotation

Tips for a Smooth Grant Application

1. Check Eligibility Early
   Dot your I’s and cross your T’s on residency, property type, and installer credentials.

2. Book an MCS-Certified Installer
   Avoid last-minute scrambles by locking in a slot with Megawave’s team.

3. Gather Documentation
   Energy bills, boiler removal proof, BER certificates (for SSRH).

4. Apply in the First Week of the Month
   BUS grants release monthly. Beat the rush.

5. Plan for Install Lead Times
   Heat pump deliveries can take 6–8 weeks. Factor that into your heating strategy.

Testimonials

“After switching to an air source heat pump with Megawave, our energy bills dropped by over 50%. The team handled the entire Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump claim—no headaches, pure savings.”
— Sarah Thompson, B&B Owner, Devon

“Megawave’s system design was spot on. We saw immediate carbon cuts and a smooth SSRH application. Their flexible finance made this leap achievable for our small café.”
— Liam O’Connor, Café Owner, Dublin

“I was sceptical about heat pumps. Megawave guided me through every step—from eligibility checks to flue removal. Now my home is cosy, cheap to run, and future-proof.”
— Priya Desai, Homeowner, Bristol

Conclusion

Choosing between the Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump grant and SSRH comes down to geography, paperwork appetite, and project scope. Both deliver serious savings and massive carbon cuts. But if you’re in England or Wales and crave simplicity, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is hard to beat. And when you team up with Megawave, you get the expertise, the paperwork support, and the cutting-edge R290 technology to make it all happen.

Take the guesswork out of grant applications. Transform your home with a Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump from Megawave: Transform your home with a Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump from Megawave