Please note that this page contains information and links most relevant for people living in England, Wales.
What is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is a government grant for people in England and Wales who want to install a heat pump or, in some circumstances, a biomass boiler.
How much funding is available?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme covers three low carbon heating systems. If you’re eligile, you can get one grant per property:
The amount you’re eligible for should be deducted upfront from any quotes you get from an installer.
How will I know which low carbon heating system is right for my property?
Your installer can advise whether a heat pump or biomass boiler is suitable for your property. Although you’re not required to have home insulation to qualify for the BUS, the installer may recommend improving the energy efficiency of your property first.
Read our advice on loft insulation and cavity wall insulation to help improve your property’s energy efficiency before installing a low carbon heating system.
Who can apply to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
The BUS is open to homeowners and owners of small business properties in England and Wales only.
To apply, you’ll need to:
Own your property (this can be a home or a small business property).
Currently have a fossil fuel heawting system or an electric heating system without a heat pump.
Have a property with a maximum installation capacity up to 45kWth (kilowatt-thermal). This covers most homes.
Your installer must be certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and a member of an approved consumer code.
For biomass boilers, you’re only eligible if the property is:
In a rural location and not connected to the gas grid.
Not a self-build property.
Kilowatt-thermal is a unit that measures the potential heat output of a heating system.
How can I apply to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
Find an MSC certified installer in your area who can carry out the work. We recommend you contact three installers for quotes to make sure you’re happy with the cost of the work.dedu
The installer will tell you if you’re eligible for a BUS grant.
Agree a quote with your installer. The value of the grant from the BUS will be deducted upfront as part of the quote.
The installer will apply for the grant and carry out the work.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme FAQs
No. However, if you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, there may be alternative funding available.
Scotland
In Scotland, check with Home Energy Scotland. The Home Energy Scotland Loan currently offers loans for heat pumps and biomass boilers:
Up to £15,000 (£7,500 grant plus up to £7,500 loan) for air source and ground source heat pumps. Qualifying rural properties can get an extra £1,500 grant.
Up to £15,000 (£7,500 grant plus up to £7,500 loan) for biomass boilers.
If you live in Northern Ireland, contact NI Energy Advice to find out more about funding available to help improve the energy efficiency of your home.
No, new build properties aren’t eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. However, if a fossil fuel boiler was already in place when you moved into your property, you may be able to get a grant under the scheme. Talk to your installer about this to look over your options.
You can still apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme if you’ve had separate funding for energy efficiency upgrades. This includes insulation or energy efficient doors and windows.
However, properties that have already received government funding or support for a heat pump or biomass boiler aren’t eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. This includes the Green Homes Grant scheme.
Funding isn’t available for the replacement of existing low carbon heating systems. For example, you can’t replace an existing air source heat pump with a new ground source heat pump.
Only properties that are fully replacing existing fossil fuel systems (such as oil, gas or direct electric) will be eligible for support under the scheme.
We have more advice on installing low carbon heating systems. To be eligible for the scheme, your low carbon heating system must have been commissioned no more than 120 days before you apply.
In some circumstances, yes. If you own a self-build property, you may be eligible if:
You or the original owner built it yourself, or paid a builder to do it.
The property has never been owned by a business.
You’ll need to prove to the installer that your property is self-built. A copy of the title deeds should be enough for this.
Check out our advice pages on air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps and biomass. There you’ll find out whether a low carbon heating system could save you money on your energy bills or cut your household carbon emissions.
The reduction in VAT (from 5% to 0%) on the install of energy saving materials has been in place since 1 April 2022. It will last for five years, covering the entire period of the scheme. This should help boost demand for the installation of heat pumps.
As well as looking for MCS-certified installers, check if the installer adheres to either of these consumer codes:
