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Is There a Grant for Air Conditioning?Why is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme Important?What is an Air-to-Air Heat Pump?Benefits of Air-to-Air Heat PumpsAm I Eligible for an Air-to-Air Heat Pump?What is a Heat Battery Grant?Are There Other Air Conditioning Grants?Is Air Conditioning Worth It?Air Conditioning Grants FAQs
Is There a Grant for Air Conditioning?Why is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme Important?What is an Air-to-Air Heat Pump?Benefits of Air-to-Air Heat PumpsAm I Eligible for an Air-to-Air Heat Pump?What is a Heat Battery Grant?Are There Other Air Conditioning Grants?Is Air Conditioning Worth It?Air Conditioning Grants FAQs
Every summer, temperatures are rising and heatwaves are becoming more common, so it’s no surprise you’re exploring grants to help cover the cost of air conditioning, particularly with household bills continuing to rise amid the cost of living crisis.
Recently, the UK government announced plans to extend the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), offering a £2,500 grant towards air-to-air heat pumps. This funding is expected to be available for homeowners in England and Wales from 2027.
This guide will explore the new funding option for air conditioning, helping you understand how you can cut costs and make cooling your home more affordable.
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Yes, there is now a grant for air conditioning that’s recently been announced. However, they're referred to as air-to-air heat pumps, not aircons. These smart systems don’t just cool your home, they can also provide heating, making them a highly efficient all-year-round solution.
The UK government has included air-to-air heat pumps in the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, a funding initiative designed to help homeowners transition towards low-carbon heating and cooling.
Currently, the scheme offers generous grants for other heat pump types such as air-to-water and ground source systems. From 2027, an additional £2,500 grant will become available specifically for air-to-air heat pumps (which can provide cooling) in England and Wales, helping make installation more affordable for households aiming to reduce energy use and carbon emissions.
If you’ve been considering a new air conditioning system, this scheme could be a smart way to save money while also lowering your home’s environmental impact.
Since air-to-air heat pumps use electricity rather than gas, they can provide efficient temperature control throughout the year, ideal for both summer comfort and winter warmth.
The BUS plays a key role in helping the UK move towards a greener, more energy-efficient future. It’s designed to make low-carbon heating systems, such as heat pumps, more affordable for homeowners like you.
By offering grants towards renewable technologies such as heat pumps, the scheme supports the government’s goal of cutting household carbon emissions and moving away from fossil fuels. Not only does this help the environment, but it also brings long-term savings on energy bills.
If you’ve been thinking about swapping your traditional boiler for a heat pump, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme could make that transition far more accessible for you.
An air-to-air heat pump is essentially a modern version of an air conditioning unit, but with added versatility. It doesn’t just cool your home, it can also provide warm air during the colder months.
Here’s how it works:
It draws in heat from the outside air, even on cooler days.
That heat is then transferred indoors using a refrigerant system.
The process can be reversed, allowing the same system to cool your home when it’s hot outside.
Unlike air-to-water heat pumps, which heat your radiators or water, air-to-air systems focus purely on space heating and cooling through indoor air units. This makes them ideal if you’re looking for temperature control and year-round comfort.
Air-to-air heat pumps come with several advantages, especially when supported by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme:
Dual functionality - Provides both heating and cooling from one system, saving space and money.
Energy efficiency - Uses renewable energy from the air rather than relying on traditional fuels.
Eco-friendly - Helps lower your household’s carbon footprint.
Fast installation - Typically easier and quicker to install than water-based heat pumps.
Lower running costs - When paired with solar panels or a smart thermostat, you can reduce energy bills even further.
Imagine replacing your old gas boiler with an air-to-air system. Instead of paying extra for both a heating and cooling setup, you’d have one efficient system to manage your indoor temperature year-round.
Eligibility for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme depends on a few key factors. You may qualify if:
You own your property (either a home or a small business building).
Your home is in England or Wales.
The property already has a renewable-friendly setup or passes certain energy efficiency standards (like good insulation).
You’re replacing a fossil fuel system such as a gas, oil or electric boiler.
Funding for air-to-air heat pumps is expected to start in 2027.
If you're looking for an air conditioning system sooner, Glow Green is one of the best air conditioning installers in the UK and can provide you with a free quote.
A heat battery grant is another initiative the UK government is rolling out to help improve home energy efficiency.
A heat battery is a compact system that stores heat energy, similar to how a solar battery stores electricity. It captures excess energy from renewable sources like solar panels or heat pumps and releases it later when needed, making your home’s heating system more efficient.
Why it matters:
It helps homeowners use more of their renewable energy, reducing waste.
It can cut heating costs by storing heat during off-peak times.
It supports the Net Zero target by encouraging cleaner, smarter energy use.
The Heat Battery Grant, expected to align with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme timeline, will help cover the cost of installing these systems in homes that meet the efficiency criteria. Pairing a heat battery with an air-to-air heat pump could significantly increase your home’s comfort and sustainability.
Aside from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, there are a few other funding options in the UK that may help you make your home more comfortable to live in. While not all schemes are dedicated specifically to air conditioning, some can still indirectly support your upgrade if the goal is to improve your property’s energy performance.
These local and national initiatives aim to help people reduce energy bills, cut carbon emissions and make their homes more resilient against rising temperatures:
Many local councils offer support through schemes such as the Warm Homes Local Grant, which is designed to help eligible households make energy-saving improvements to their properties.
This grant focuses on lowering energy usage and improving home comfort, and depending on the area you live in, funding can sometimes cover a portion of the cost for installing energy-efficient systems. This includes renewable heating and cooling options.
You could qualify for help if:
Your household has a lower income or receives certain benefits.
Your home has poor insulation or is expensive to heat.
You live within a participating council area in England, Scotland or Wales.
It’s worth checking your local authority’s website or contacting your energy supplier to see if you can apply. Funding levels and eligibility criteria can vary, but taking advantage of local schemes can still help reduce the upfront cost of your air conditioning or heat pump installation.
If you struggle to stay comfortable when temperatures rise and believe air conditioning could genuinely improve your quality of life, then it’s absolutely worth considering. However, if you’d only use it occasionally and it doesn’t fit your budget right now, it might be best to hold off.
Here’s why it can be worthwhile:
Energy-efficient options: Modern systems are much more efficient than older models.
All-year comfort: You can enjoy a cool home in summer and cozy warmth in winter from a single unit (in some cases).
Potential savings: When used efficiently, or when combined with solar panels, you can lower your overall energy costs.
Home value boost: Many buyers are increasingly attracted to homes that already include efficient climate control systems.
If you don’t want to wait until 2027 for the grant and prefer to enjoy air conditioning sooner, Glow Green offers some of the best air conditioning systems on the market. Get a free quote today, and we can have your new unit installed in no time.
Yes, the UK government has announced that air-to-air heat pumps, which also function as air conditioning units, will soon be included under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Homeowners in England and Wales will be able to apply for a £2,500 grant from 2027.
An air-to-air heat pump can both heat and cool your home, whereas a standard air conditioner can only provide cooling. Heat pumps are also more energy efficient and environmentally friendly, as they use renewable energy from the air rather than relying on gas or oil.
At the moment, the air-to-air heat pump funding isn’t open yet. It’s expected to become available from 2027. If you don't want to wait, get in touch with us at Glow Green for a free quote on some of the best air conditioning systems in the UK.
No, they’re generally cheaper to run than electric or gas systems because they transfer heat rather than generate it. Your heat pump running costs will depend on factors like your home size, energy tariff and how often you use the system.
Heat pumps are more efficient, use renewable energy and produce far fewer carbon emissions than gas boilers. Over time, they can also help protect you from gas price increases and energy supply issues.
