The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) supports the decarbonisation of heat in buildings. It provides upfront capital grants to support the installation of heat pumps and biomass boilers in homes and non-domestic buildings in England and Wales.
Acting on behalf of property owners, installers can apply for:
- £5000 off the cost and installation of an air source heat pump
- £5000 off the cost and installation of a biomass boiler
- £6000 off the cost and installation of a ground source heat pump, including water source heat pumps
£450 million of grant funding is available over three years from 2022 to 2025.
Eligibility
Owner eligibility
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
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 available for social housing.
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.
You cannot get a grant to install a biomass boiler in a self-build property.
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.
- 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.)
- The installer advises you on whether an installation is eligible for a grant.
- You agree a quote for the installation.
- The installer applies for the grant.
- 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.