Suffolk residents can get a free proposal to replace ageing heating systems with heat pumps, and access a government grant for installation

All of Suffolk’s public sector organisations (including all of Suffolk’s local councils) have come together to help residents in Suffolk replace ageing gas, oil or LPG boilers with a heat pump, combining a £7,500 or £9,000 government grant, depending on current heating fuel, with group-buying savings on installation.

Over the past few years, energy bills have been unpredictable, serving as a reminder of just how exposed household budgets can be to forces entirely outside our control. But now, Suffolk’s public sector organisations are partnering with Switch Together, a community group-buying scheme, to help residents in Suffolk move away from ageing and inefficient heating systems.

Through the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme, eligible homeowners in England can receive a grant of £7,500 toward an air source heat pump, or £9,000 for households currently heating with oil or LPG. The grant is applied for upfront by the installer, so residents do not need to claim it back or repay it.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is open to homeowners and small business owners in England who are replacing a fossil fuel heating system and hold a valid Energy Performance Certificate with no outstanding major insulation recommendations. It is not means-tested, so there is no income threshold to qualify. The scheme is currently scheduled to run until 31 December 2027.

Switch Together works by bringing residents together so that installers compete to win their business, securing better installation prices than most homeowners could negotiate alone. Once registered, residents receive a free, no-obligation personal offer, and their installer handles the grant application on their behalf. Switch Together’s group-buying savings apply on top of the government grant.

Every installation is carried out by a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accredited installer. Switch Together works only with MCS-accredited professionals, so residents are covered from the first quote to the finished installation.

Councillor Gerald Kelly, Chair of the Suffolk Councils’ Environment Portfolio Holders’ Group, said:

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Suffolk residents to explore a cleaner, more efficient and cheaper way of heating their homes. Through our partnership with Switch Together, homeowners can access trusted installers, exclusive group-buying savings and government grants worth up to £9,000, making heat pumps more affordable than ever. Registration is free and comes with no obligation, so I’d encourage anyone thinking about replacing an ageing heating system to sign up and see what’s possible. Together, we’re helping residents save money, reduce emissions and create a more sustainable Suffolk.”

The grant amount: £7,500 for households currently heating with gas or electricity, or £9,000 for households currently heating with oil or LPG. Switch Together’s scheme covers air-to-water air source heat pumps, which provide both central heating and hot water.

Why an air source heat pump: they typically use three to four times less energy than a traditional boiler to heat a home, which can help lower bills over time. They spread heat evenly through the property, keeping every room at a steady, comfortable temperature even when it’s cold outside. And because they don’t burn fuel on site, they produce fewer emissions than a gas, oil or LPG boiler, for a cleaner, more sustainable home.

How Switch Together works: residents register free, with no obligation; Switch Together matches them with a trusted, MCS-accredited installer and a personal offer; and, if the resident chooses to go ahead, carry out the installation.

Residents of Suffolk can check their eligibility and register their interest at here.

This scheme is brought to you by Suffolk’s public sector organisations as part of their work to create a more sustainable Suffolk.