Can You Get £2,500 Towards Air Conditioning? UK Grants That Can Keep Your Home Cool

As Britain adjusts to hot summers and increasingly uncomfortable heat waves, air conditioning is starting to look less like a luxury and something many of us would actually like in our homes.

The problem, of course, is cost.

These systems can provide heating and, depending on the system installed, cooling as well – effectively providing air conditioning during hot weather.

So, who can get £2,500? Is it really possible to get a free air conditioner? And how do you apply?

What is the £2,500 air-conditioning allowance?

The grant is part of the Government Boiler Development Planusually abbreviated to BUS.

The program provides grants for low carbon heating systems. This now includes a A grant of £2,500 towards an air-to-air heat pump of suitable accommodation.

An air-to-air heat pump takes heat from the outside air and transfers it to your home.

Most systems are reversible, meaning that when the weather is hot, they can run in reverse and provide cooling.

Physically, these are wall-mounted units that you may have seen in hotels, offices and homes overseas. One outdoor unit can be connected to one or more indoor units, depending on the plan and location.

Can you get a free air conditioner?

This is where it’s important to read the fine print.

The government is giving £2,500 towards costs and installation of a suitable air-to-air heat pump.

That does not mean that every eligible person will get the entire air-conditioning system completely free of charge.

If the eligible installation costs more than the grant value, it may be possible for the grant to cover most or possibly all of the eligible costs. However, large or complex installations may be more expensive.

The price you pay can depend on the size and layout of your home, how many rooms you want to heat and cool, the number of indoor units needed and the difficulty of installation.

Who is eligible for the £2,500 grant?

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme works internally In England and Wales.

The £2,500 air-to-air heat pump grant is for eligible dwellings.

Importantly, this not just a benefit for people with Universal Credit, Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits.

The exact rules can depend on the location and the existing heating system, so your installer will need to check that the proposed installation meets the requirements of the scheme.

Should you have benefits?

No.

You don’t have to be in receipt of benefits to qualify for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

The grant is based on the proposed building and installation meeting the scheme’s rules rather than a means-tested benefit.

That means working families and people who wouldn’t qualify for low-income energy subsidies can still benefit.

What type of air conditioning can you get?

You cannot use the £2,500 grant to buy a portable air-conditioner unit in a shop.

The grant is specific to the eligible individual air to air heat pump included under the Boiler Improvement Scheme.

A typical system includes an outdoor heat pump unit and one or more indoor units that distribute warm or cool air.

Can employers get a grant?

Tenants cannot simply arrange for a large heating installation without the involvement of their landlord.

However, private rented accommodation may be eligible if the premises and facilities meet the scheme’s rules. In fact, the landlord or landlord will have to participate.

How do you apply for a £2,500 air-conditioning grant?

You don’t usually apply for a government grant and go buy an air-conditioning system yourself.

The process is handled by a qualified installer.

You don’t need to buy the system first and then just hope to claim £2,500 afterwards.

What about free home improvement?

Some homes may qualify for other programs that offer free or subsidized energy-saving upgrades.

For example, i Warm Homes: Local Government Grant can offer eligible households in England a free energy saving upgrade if they meet income, benefits or postcode based criteria.

There is also Energy Company Liabilityor ECO, which aims to improve the ability of low-income, fuel-poor and vulnerable households to heat their homes.

However, it should not be confused with the universal promise of “free air conditioning”.

What should you check before getting an air-to-air heat pump?

Ask the installer:

• How many rooms will be heated and cooled by the system?
• How many indoor units are included?
• What is the price before and after the grant?
• How much electricity is the system expected to use?
• How loud are the indoor and outdoor units?
• Does the direct system provide cooling and heating?
• How will you heat your water?
• What maintenance and warranty is included?
• Is direct installation eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?

Beware of “free aircon” scams.

MoneyMagpie’s decision

So, can you get free air conditioning in the UK?

It’s possible – but that’s not what the Government is promising.

What is actually found a A grant of £2,500 towards the cost and installation of an air-to-air heat pump through the Boiler Improvement Program.

The scheme is available in eligible places of residence in England and Wales and is not limited to people on benefits.

An air-to-air heat pump can provide heating and, with the right reversible system, cooling as well. That means it can keep your home warm in the winter and provide the kind of cooling we often think of as an air conditioner during summer heat waves.

MoneyMagpie is not a financial advisor. This article is for general information only. Government grants, eligibility rules and funding are subject to change. Always check the latest official information and get independent quotes before agreeing to a home improvement project.