The local picture
Home energy in Bedford
Most homes in Bedford are on mains gas, but a significant minority rely on electric, oil or LPG heating. Both groups can qualify for support: boiler replacements for gas homes, and heat pump funding for homes off the grid.
That’s about 12,296 of the 79,820 homes in Bedford — lower than the average for the East of England.
An estimated 7,303 households in Bedford (9.3%) are in fuel poverty — living on a lower income in a home that’s expensive to heat. That’s in line with the East of England average of 9.3%.
Sources: DESNZ, Sub-national estimates of properties not connected to the gas network, 2024 data (published December 2025); DESNZ, Sub-regional fuel poverty data 2026 (2024 data), Low Income Low Energy Efficiency measure.
What’s available
Grants you could get in Bedford
With so many homes in Bedford off mains gas, heat pump funding is often the biggest opportunity — but we’ll check every scheme you could qualify for.
Eligibility
Who can apply in Bedford?
- You own your home or rent it privately (with your landlord’s permission)
- Your heating is old, inefficient or not on mains gas — or you have no central heating
- Someone in your household receives a qualifying benefit, or your income or postcode qualifies through local criteria
- For heat pumps: you’re replacing oil, gas, LPG or electric heating (not means-tested)
Not sure? Just ask.
Rules differ between schemes, and some depend on where you live in Bedford. Apply online or call 0800 246 1797 and we’ll check your postcode.
FAQs
Grant questions in Bedford
Can I get a free boiler in Bedford?
Yes — homeowners and private tenants in Bedford can apply for government-backed funding. Eligibility usually depends on your heating system and household circumstances, such as receiving certain benefits, and in some areas your income or postcode. A quick application tells us what you could be entitled to.
How many homes in Bedford are off the gas grid?
Around 15.4% of homes in Bedford — roughly 12,296 properties — aren’t connected to the gas network, lower than the East of England average of 20.3%. These homes can often get extra support, including up to £9,000 towards a heat pump where the Boiler Upgrade Scheme applies.
Can I get a heat pump grant in Bedford?
Yes. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives £7,500 towards an air or ground source heat pump, plus an extra £1,500 until March 2027 for homes heated by oil or LPG with no mains gas connection. It isn’t means-tested.