Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Up to £7,500 off your heat pump
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is the government's heat pump grant for homeowners in England and Wales. Up to £7,500 off, taken straight off your quote. We handle the Ofgem application.
How does the Boiler Upgrade Scheme change the numbers?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is the government's heat pump grant. It pays up to £7,500 toward swapping a fossil fuel boiler for an air source heat pump. Run by Ofgem and taken straight off your quote before you pay.
A ~£12,900 system drops to ~£5,400 after the grant. 0% VAT stacks on top, finance covers what's left, and heat pumps cost less to run than gas. See our heat pump installations for the systems BUS covers.
What does the Boiler Upgrade Scheme cover?
One quote, no extras. The grant covers the heat pump, the install, and the BUS application paperwork.
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The heat pump itself
An A+++ rated heat pump from Samsung, Vaillant, or Ideal. Sized to your property and how you live in it.
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MCS-certified installation
Fitted in-house by our certified engineers. Includes commissioning, MCS certificate, warranty registration, and a full handover pack.
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The Ofgem BUS application
We submit your application, chase Ofgem on your behalf, and deduct the grant straight off your quote. You don't touch a form.
Who qualifies for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
Four checks for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. If your home and heating system tick all of them, you're in.
Property in England or Wales
BUS covers homes in England and Wales. In Scotland, look at Home Energy Scotland for the equivalent support.
Replacing a fossil fuel system
You must be replacing a gas, oil, LPG, or electric heating system. The property and installer still have to meet the published BUS rules on gov.uk. New builds don't qualify.
Valid EPC
You need a valid Energy Performance Certificate. There's no minimum rating, and since May 2024, no insulation requirement either.
MCS certified installer
An MCS certified installer must do the work. From 28 April 2026, only MCS installers can submit BUS applications to Ofgem.
How do you apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
We handle the Ofgem Boiler Upgrade Scheme application. You sign one form, we do the rest.
- 01
Get a quote from us
We're MCS certified, so we can apply for BUS on your behalf. The grant comes off the quote up front. You see the real number, not a "before grant" figure.
- 02
We survey and design
An engineer comes out to spec the system, find the best spot for the outdoor unit, and flag anything that needs prep work. We submit the BUS application around the same time.
- 03
Installation day
We fit and commission the system, then close out the BUS paperwork with Ofgem. You pay the balance, with the grant already off.
What do people get wrong about the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
Four common BUS misconceptions, cleared up against the published rules.
- Scheme name
Is BUS a free boiler scheme?
No. Despite the name, BUS pays for a heat pump, not a gas boiler. The “boiler upgrade” means swapping a fossil-fuel boiler for a low-carbon heat pump. Free boiler schemes for low-income households are separate, means-tested programmes.
- Insulation rule
Do I need to insulate my home before I qualify?
No, not since May 2024. The government scrapped the loft and cavity-wall insulation requirement. You still need a valid Energy Performance Certificate, but there’s no minimum EPC rating and no insulation rule to clear.
- Who applies
Do I apply for the BUS grant myself?
No. Your MCS-certified installer files the application with Ofgem and deducts the grant from your quote before you pay. From 28 April 2026, only MCS-certified installers can submit BUS applications (Ofgem: Boiler Upgrade Scheme rules).
- Where it applies
Is BUS available across the UK?
No. BUS covers England and Wales only. In Scotland, the equivalent route is Home Energy Scotland: heat pump grant + interest-free loan, which pairs a grant with an interest-free loan. Northern Ireland has no direct equivalent in 2026.
What do homeowners ask about the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
Straight answers on the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and what to expect.
How much is the BUS grant for a heat pump?
Up to £7,500 toward an eligible air source heat pump in England and Wales when you meet the Boiler Upgrade Scheme rules. The amount is set by government and applied for by your MCS-certified installer; it comes off your installation quote before you pay, so there is nothing to claim back yourself. The scheme also covers some other low-carbon technologies at different rates, but at UKEM we focus on air source heat pumps.
How much does a heat pump cost after the grant?
After the £7,500 BUS grant, a fully fitted air source heat pump typically lands around £5,400 to £10,800 out of pocket, depending on the property. What pushes the number up or down: the size of your home, the model you pick, and prep work like radiator upgrades. Your quote shows the exact figure with the grant already off.
Can I combine BUS with finance?
Yes. The grant comes off first, then finance covers what's left. On a ~£12,900 installation after a £7,500 grant, you are financing ~£5,400. You can spread that over monthly payments.
Will a heat pump work in my home?
Most UK homes work for an air source heat pump. You need a garden, yard, or external wall for the outdoor unit. Modern systems run down to -20°C without losing efficiency. During the survey, our engineer confirms the right size and the best spot, based on your heating and hot water demand.
How long does installation take?
Allow around two weeks from quote to install. The fitting itself takes 2 to 4 days, depending on the system and any prep work.
When does the BUS scheme end?
BUS runs to 2030. Each year has its own budget, so the earlier you apply, the less chance of hitting a funding cap.
Read the full grants FAQ for BUS, ECO4, and OZEV in one place.
