Boiler Upgrade Scheme

The government is providing grants to encourage property owners to install low carbon heating systems such as heat pumps, through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). These grants can help property owners overcome the upfront cost of low carbon heating technologies.

The scheme is open to domestic and small non-domestic properties in England and Wales. It runs from 2022 to 2025.

What you’ll get

You can get:

• £5,000 off the cost and installation of an air source heat pump
• £5,000 off the cost and installation of a biomass boiler
• £6,000 off the cost and installation of a ground source heat pump

How the scheme works

Your installer will apply for the grant on your behalf. The value of the grant will be discounted off the price you pay. We recommend you get quotes from more than one installer to make sure you’re getting the best value for money.

1. You find an MCS certified installer that is able to carry out the work. (The MCS quality assurance scheme ensures that installers are competent, and the products they use meet the correct standards.)
2. The installer advises you on whether an installation is eligible for a grant.
3. You agree a quote for the installation.
4. The installer applies for the grant.
5. You confirm that the installer is acting on your behalf when you’re emailed by Ofgem.

Ofgem may contact you to carry out checks on the installation. This may involve a phone call or a visit to your property.

If you need help

If you have problems with your new heating system, you should speak to your installer first.

If you have problems with your installer, MCS can help you. Read their guidance on ‘What to do when things go wrong’.

For any issues related to the scheme’s policy, email: [email protected].

For any issues related to the administration of the scheme, contact Ofgem:

Email: [email protected] Tel: 020 7215 5000

You may be eligible if you:

• live in England or Wales
• own your property (whether this is a home or a small non-domestic property)

Private landlords and second-home owners are eligible.

If you’re claiming other grants or funding You can still apply if you’ve received separate funding for energy efficiency upgrades such as insulation, doors or windows.

Property eligibility The scheme is open to domestic and small non-domestic properties with:

• an installation capacity up to 45kWth (this covers most homes)
• a current energy performance certificate (EPC), with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation Check your EPC report.

Find out what to do if your property has recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation.

Excluded properties Grants are not available for:

• social housing
• new build properties (apart from certain self-builds)
• properties that have already had government funding or support for a heat pump or biomass boiler

There is different funding for Social Housing, get in touch with your Registered Provider and direct them to Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund

If you own a self-build property To be eligible, a self-build must have:

• been built mainly using the labour or resources of the first owner
• not been owned by a business or organisation You will need to provide proof to your installer that your property is a self-build, for example a copy of the title deeds.

Product eligibility Grants are only available for:

• air source heat pumps
• biomass boilers
• ground source heat pumps (including water source heat pumps and those on shared ground loops)

Hybrid heat pump systems, for example a combination of a gas boiler and air source heat pump, are not eligible.

Your installer will advise which heating system is suitable for your property and help you to understand the different options.

The new heating system must:

• have been commissioned (that is, installed and fully checked by your installer) on or after 1 April 2022
• be capable of meeting the full space heating and hot water requirements of your property
• replace an existing fossil fuel heating system (such as oil, gas or electric)
• meet certain technical standards, such as minimum efficiency requirements (your installer can advise you on these)

You cannot get funding for the replacement of existing low carbon heating systems.

Biomass boilers

The grant will only cover biomass boilers:

• in rural properties
• in properties with no connection to the gas grid
• with an emissions certificate showing that polluting emissions are kept to a minimum

See the Ofgem guidance if you’re not sure if your property is in a rural location.