Heating grants dominate this month’s Kent home improvement news. A larger heat pump grant has just arrived for off grid homes, the rules nudging manufacturers to sell heat pumps have firmed up, and building material costs are still on the move. Here is what it means if you are planning work.
Heat pump grant rises to £9,000 for off grid homes
From 21 July 2026 the Boiler Upgrade Scheme pays up to £9,000 towards an air source heat pump for homes not on mains gas that currently run on oil or LPG, up from £7,500. The standard grant for mains gas homes stays at £7,500, and you must use an MCS certified installer. That matters across rural Kent, where plenty of homes sit off the gas grid and still heat with oil. Details.
New rules push manufacturers to sell more heat pumps
The Clean Heat Market Mechanism has set its Year 2 target at 8% of relevant boiler sales, with MCS confirmed as the sole certification scheme. In plain terms, boiler makers must sell a rising share of heat pumps or buy credits, which should keep heat pump pricing and installer availability competitive over the coming year. Government response.
Building material prices still climbing
Government figures for June 2026 show construction material prices up 5.4% over the year to May, with fabricated structural steel up 13.1%, while output of bricks and tiles fell 8.4% and concrete and cement fell 14.7%. If you are planning a roof, extension or kitchen, budget for higher material lines and expect possible lead times on some products. Commentary.
Construction product rules tighten, levy from October
Reform of construction products regulation continued in 2026, with the Construction Products (Amendment) Regulations 2025 now in force and a new Building Safety Levy on residential development starting 1 October 2026. For homeowners the upshot is more scrutiny on product quality and traceability, and a new cost that will feed into larger new build schemes. More.
