The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is a UK government initiative designed to help people make the switch from old, gas or oil boilers to cleaner, more efficient heating systems like air source or ground source heat pumps.
If you’re eligible, you could receive a grant of up to £7,500 to help cover the costs of upgrading your heating system. The scheme aims to reduce household carbon emissions. The BUS is currently open, but it’s important to know it will end on 31 March 2028.
If you’d like to discover whether you qualify for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, simply complete the form below and one of our account managers will be in touch:
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers financial support for installing certain low-carbon heating systems. It gives you a one-off grant to put towards the cost and installation of a new, energy-efficient heating system, like a heat pump.
You can only get one grant per property so it’s important to choose the right system for your needs. It currently provides:
£7,500 towards an air source heat pump: This is a popular choice for many homes and helps you cut down on energy bills while reducing your carbon footprint.
£7,500 towards a ground source heat pump: This includes water source heat pumps and systems that use shared ground loops which are especially useful if you have the right space or access to water sources.
£5,000 towards a biomass boiler: This option is available but only for properties in rural areas that aren’t connected to the gas grid. Biomass boilers use renewable materials like wood pellets to heat your home.
There are a few important rules to keep in mind:
You can’t get a grant for a hybrid system that mixes a gas boiler with a heat pump.
The heating system you install must meet certain standards. This means it has to reach minimum efficiency levels. Your installer will know what these are and can guide you.
There are limits on the size of the system. For most homes, the maximum capacity is 45kWth for individual systems and up to 300kWth for shared ground loops.
It's also important to note that you can’t use the grant to replace an existing low-carbon heating system. Remember, the scheme is designed to help you move away from fossil fuels, not to upgrade systems that are already low carbon.
If you want to find out more about how heat pumps work, in particular, air source heat pumps, you can read our comprehensive guide.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a government initiative in England and Wales designed to help property owners switch from fossil fuel heating to more efficient, low-carbon systems like air or ground source heat pumps, and in some cases, biomass boilers. It works by offering upfront grants, up to £7,500 for heat pumps and £5,000 for biomass boilers, to cover a significant portion of the installation costs which makes green heating more affordable for homeowners and small businesses.
The scheme is available to most domestic and some non-domestic properties, provided they meet certain eligibility criteria (such as having a valid Energy Performance Certificate and not being a new build or social housing).
The process is installer-led which means you don’t have to worry about filling out complicated forms yourself. Instead, you choose a certified installer, such as Glow Green, who will assess your home, confirm your eligibility and agree with you on a heat pump quote for the work. The installer then handles the application for the grant on your behalf through the Ofgem website. Ofgem will contact you to confirm your details and that the installer is acting on your behalf. Once everything is approved, the installer will redeem the grant and the value is taken off your installation bill.
To find out if you’re eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, here are the main requirements you need to check:
You must own the property you’re applying for. This includes your home, a business property, a second home or even a property you rent out to tenants.
You must be replacing an existing fossil fuel heating system. This means swapping out things like oil, gas, electric or LPG boilers for a low carbon alternative like a heat pump.
Your property must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). An EPC is valid for up to 10 years and helps show how energy efficient your home is.
If you’re unsure if your property is suitable for a low carbon heating system, talk to an MCS certified heat pump installer, such as Glow Green. We can advise you on your options.
If you’re interested in a biomass boiler, there are special rules:
Your property must be off the gas grid and in a rural location. If you’re not sure, check the official guidance for property owners.
The biomass boiler must have an emissions certificate to show it keeps pollution low.
You can’t get a grant for a biomass boiler in a self build property.
There are also types of properties that can’t get a grant:
Most new build properties (unless you move in after it’s finished and it has a fossil fuel boiler).
Social housing.
Properties that have already received government funding for a heat pump or biomass boiler.
If you own a new build property:
If the developer is still building it, it’s not eligible.
If you move into a finished new build that has a fossil fuel boiler, you may be able to get a grant for a heat pump.
If you own a self build property:
It’s eligible if you or the original owner built it yourself, or if you paid a builder to build it.
It must never have been owned by a business or organisation.
You’ll need to show proof, like a copy of the title deeds, to your installer.
It's important to note that you can still apply for the BUS if you’ve had other energy efficiency improvements, such as insulation. Also, your installer must commission and install the new heating system within 120 days of your grant application. If this isn’t done within that time, the grant won’t be available.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a government initiative in England and Wales designed to help property owners switch from fossil fuel heating to more efficient, low-carbon systems like air or ground source heat pumps, and in some cases, biomass boilers. It works by offering upfront grants, up to £7,500 for heat pumps and £5,000 for biomass boilers, to cover a significant portion of the installation costs which makes green heating more affordable for homeowners and small businesses.
The scheme is available to most domestic and some non-domestic properties, provided they meet certain eligibility criteria (such as having a valid Energy Performance Certificate and not being a new build or social housing).
The process is installer-led which means you don’t have to worry about filling out complicated forms yourself. Instead, you choose a certified installer, such as Glow Green, who will assess your home, confirm your eligibility and agree with you on a heat pump quote for the work. The installer then handles the application for the grant on your behalf through the Ofgem website. Ofgem will contact you to confirm your details and that the installer is acting on your behalf. Once everything is approved, the installer will redeem the grant and the value is taken off your installation bill.
Applying for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is straightforward, especially because it’s installer-led, meaning your chosen installer will do most of the work for you. Here’s how you can get started and what you need to do:
1. Find a certified installer: The first step is to choose a company that’s certified with MCS. The Microgeneration Certification Scheme, or MCS for short, means that an installer in the UK has met strict quality and safety standards set by the scheme for installing small-scale renewable energy systems, such as heat pumps, solar panels and biomass boilers.
2. Get a quote: Your installer will visit your home, check if you’re eligible and give you a quote for the work.
3. Agree to the quote: If you’re happy with the price and the plan, you agree to go ahead.
4. Your installer applies for the grant: The installer will handle the application for you, submitting all the required details to Ofgem.
5. Ofgem contacts you: Ofgem will get in touch to confirm your details and that your installer is acting on your behalf.
6. Work begins: Once everything is approved, your installer will start the installation.
7. Grant is applied to your bill: The value of the grant is taken off your installation costs so you pay less upfront.
As an MCS-certified company, Glow Green is fully qualified to manage your Boiler Upgrade Scheme application, ensuring a smooth and trusted process from start to finish.
Ultimately, if you’re looking to make your home more energy efficient and reduce your carbon footprint, the BUS is a great opportunity for you. By applying, you can receive a grant of up to £7,500 towards the cost of installing a low-carbon heating system, which can lower the upfront heat pump costs considerably. This also means you get a warmer, more comfortable home while also helping the environment.
Since heat pumps are far more energy efficient than traditional boilers, switching to one could even help you lower your energy bills. This is especially valuable at a time when many people across the UK are feeling the impact of the cost of living crisis. Lastly, the process is simple and installer-led so you don’t have to worry about complicated paperwork.
Now that you’ve learned about the BUS and the possibility of getting a significant heat pump grant towards your new system, you might be curious about what a heat pump will actually cost you.
The price of an air source heat pump in the UK typically falls somewhere between £3,000 and £10,000 for supply and installation. We understand this price range is broad, but it reflects the fact that every home is unique and may require different adjustments or upgrades. Remember, at Glow Green, we exclusively install air source heat pumps, which are eligible for grants of up to £7,500 - significantly reducing your costs.
For the most accurate estimate, we recommend getting in touch with a trusted installer like Glow Green, who can assess your property and give you a clear, personalised quote.
Applying for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme with Glow Green is a straightforward process designed to put you at ease. As an MCS-certified company, we'll handle every step for you, from assessing your home and confirming your eligibility, to managing the application and guiding you through installation. Luckily, this means you don’t have to worry about complicated paperwork and you make sure you get the support and grant you’re entitled to.
So, how do you apply? First, request a heat pump quote with Glow Green - one of our experts will get in touch to discuss your eligibility for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and guide you through every step of the process.
Rated as the best solar panel installers in the UK by The Independent, we bring the same level of expertise and outstanding customer service to every heat pump installation so you can be confident knowing your home upgrade is seamless and of the highest quality.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a government initiative designed to help people and small businesses in England and Wales replace their existing heating systems with more efficient, low-carbon alternatives.
Most homeowners and owners of small or medium non-domestic property in England and Wales are eligible, provided their property meets certain requirements such as having a valid energy performance certificate and not being a new build or part of social housing.
The scheme supports the installation of air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps and, in specific circumstances, biomass boilers.
No, the scheme is intended for replacing fossil fuel heating systems, not for upgrading existing low-carbon systems.
The BUS is currently scheduled to run until 31 December 2027. However, as with any government initiative, funding and policies may be subject to change.
