Your installer does nearly all the work. Under the boiler upgrade scheme, they apply for the grant, deal with the government and claim the money once your system is running, while you pay the reduced price.
You still have a few jobs, though, and one of them has a strict deadline. The steps below explain the whole process, from signing a quote to switching on your new heating.
Who Does What?
The scheme is installer-led. Your installer applies on your behalf, deals with the government on most matters, reports when the system is installed and claims the money once the job is finished.
The government runs the scheme, issues the grant vouchers and checks claims. MCS certifies the installers and can contact you later about the quality of the work.
Your role is smaller but still important: you agree the quote, confirm your consent to the government and make sure the system works as promised.
What Happens, Step by Step?
- You agree a quote. It should show the price before and after the grant, so you know exactly what you’ll pay.
- Your installer applies for a voucher. They check that your property and chosen system qualify, then gather and submit the evidence.
- The government emails you. You confirm that you agreed to the application and verify your identity.
- The government issues the voucher. It goes to your installer, and you also receive a notice that it has been issued.
- The installer fits and commissions the system. This must happen within the voucher’s time limit.
- The installer redeems the voucher. The government pays the installer, and you pay only the discounted balance.
You never handle the grant money yourself. It goes straight from the government to your installer, which is why it appears as a discount rather than a refund.
Which Step Can’t You Hand Over?
The consent email is the one job only you can do, and it’s where many applications fail.
It arrives from an official gov.uk address ending in notifications.service.gov.uk, with a secure link. You must respond within 14 days, or the application can be rejected and your installer may have to start again.
That government address can easily land in a spam or promotions folder. Add it to your contacts the day your installer applies, and ask them to tell you when they’ve submitted. If you’re a landlord, a joint owner or have power of attorney for someone, expect a few extra identity checks.
How Long Does the Process Take?
The deadline starts when the voucher is issued, not when you first get a quote. From that point, your installer has three months to finish an air source heat pump or biomass boiler, and six months for a ground source system, which needs time for drilling or trenching.
If the deadline passes, the voucher expires. The installer then has to submit a new application, and you’ll need to give consent again.
This affects your timing. If you book an installer who’s busy for the next four months, ask when they plan to apply. A good installer submits the application close to the fitting date, not on the day you sign.
Can You Fit the System First and Apply Later?
Yes, but it’s a risk. If the system is commissioned before the application goes in, your installer must make the application properly within 120 days of the commissioning date on the MCS certificate.
The catch is clear: you’ve already paid for the work before anyone has approved the grant. If the eligibility checks turn up a problem, nobody will refund the £7,500 you expected. Only consider this route if your old boiler has failed and you can’t wait without heating.
What Happens Once the Heating Is Running?
When the system passes its final checks, your installer hands you an MCS certificate and claims the boiler upgrade grant from the government. File the certificate with your house documents. Manufacturers usually ask for it before honouring a warranty, and buyers’ solicitors often ask for it when you sell.
After that, expect silence. The only contact might be a routine quality check, which is no cause for concern.
If a room stays cold through the first winter, contact your installer before anyone else. If they don’t fix it, their consumer code can step in, so note which one they belong to before you settle the final bill.
Terry Clark is the Publisher and Content Director of 365 Retail, with more than a decade of experience covering retail design, technology innovations, store openings and the wider retail industry. He also works closely with leading retailers, suppliers, agencies, events and industry awards across the UK.
