Boiler Upgrade Scheme: £7,500 Grants for Heat Pump Installation
The UK government's Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) offers homeowners in England and Wales grants to offset the cost of switching to renewable heating systems. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) provides £7,500 to homeowners replacing fossil fuel boilers with heat pumps.
To qualify, applicants must own a property in England or Wales and replace fossil fuel or electric storage heaters with sustainable systems (air source, ground source heat pumps, or biomass boilers up to 45kWh). Further criteria include using an MCS certified installer, and possessing a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) issued within the last 10 years. The heating system installed must also achieve a minimum efficiency of 280%.
After heat pump design and installation booking, installers apply to Ofgem for a voucher on the homeowner's behalf; homeowners then provide consent on the government website. Vouchers are valid for three months for air source heat pumps and biomass boilers, and six months for ground source heat pumps, with payment issued directly to the installer upon completion of the installation. The scheme aims to reduce carbon emissions by incentivising the adoption of renewable heating technologies. Around 14% of UK carbon emissions come from heating homes with gas.
