China heat pumps and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Yes, buying directly can affect eligibility if the equipment or installation does not meet the Boiler Upgrade Scheme requirements. The scheme covers England and Wales, and an MCS certified installer applies on your behalf. Confirm the exact model and purchasing arrangement before ordering. Ask Cambridge China Bridge to help gather factory documentation.
Check the installation location first
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme covers England and Wales. Do not budget for this grant for installations in Scotland, Northern Ireland or overseas.
Give the intended installer the property address, ownership details, existing heating system and any previous heating funding. Ask them to assess the property's eligibility before you compare factory quotations. If you are buying stock for resale, ask intended installer customers to assess the proposed model rather than assuming every customer can obtain a grant.
Check certification against the exact model
The scheme's approved standards include the MCS heat pump product standard. The installed system must also meet scheme standards, including minimum efficiency levels. A factory's statement that a unit is suitable for the UK is not enough to make a purchasing decision.
Ask for the manufacturer's name, exact model and variant, product certification and supporting performance documents. Have the installer verify the certification and assess the proposed configuration. Read our renewable equipment guide for wider installation checks and test report guide for checking whether evidence matches the goods.
Arrange the installer-led application
Installers fitting heat pumps under the scheme must be certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, known as MCS. The installer applies on the property owner's behalf through Ofgem.
Before paying the factory, ask the installer whether they will accept equipment you supply directly, take responsibility for the installation and handle the grant application. Request a written quotation explaining the equipment arrangement, installation work and treatment of the grant. Do not assume a factory invoice replaces the installer-led process.
Make confirmation a condition of ordering
Send the installer the complete proposed order, including model identifiers, controls, accessories and certification documents. Ask for written confirmation of their assessment, willingness to install the equipment and any unresolved eligibility questions. Treat that assessment as a purchasing checkpoint rather than a guarantee of grant approval.
Put the accepted specification into the factory order and require your approval before substitutions. If certification is missing, inconsistent or dependent on a future application, hold the purchase until the installer has reviewed the resolved evidence. Our certification guide explains the wider paperwork checks.
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Keep a workable plan if funding falls through
Compare the total purchase and installation cost without assuming the grant will be available. Ask who will provide commissioning support, spare parts and warranty assistance, and what happens commercially if the installer cannot accept the delivered unit.
Cambridge China Bridge can help obtain factory documents and reconcile the proposed order with the specification your installer has reviewed. Keep the installer involved when the factory proposes a different model or configuration, and repeat the assessment before approving the change.
Frequently asked questions
Can a heat pump bought from China qualify?
Assess the exact equipment and installation against the scheme requirements. Before ordering, ask an MCS certified installer to review the certification and confirm whether they will install your directly supplied unit.
Does the Boiler Upgrade Scheme cover Scotland?
No. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme covers England and Wales. Do not include this grant in a purchasing budget for Scotland, Northern Ireland or overseas installations.
Can I apply myself after importing a heat pump?
The installer applies on your behalf through Ofgem. Arrange an MCS certified installer and agree how they will handle directly supplied equipment before you commit to the import.
What should I confirm before paying a Chinese factory?
Get the installer's written assessment of the exact model, certification, property and supply arrangement. Resolve missing evidence, agree installation responsibilities and prevent unapproved model substitutions.
Sources
Installing it in England? Trust AC installs and services air conditioning and air-to-air heat pumps. It is our sister company (both are Piggy Pineapple Ltd), and you are free to use any installer.