Boiler Upgrade Scheme — how to claim your £7,500 grant
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The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is a UK government grant that provides £7,500 towards the installation of an air source heat pump (ASHP) or ground source heat pump (GSHP), or £5,000 towards an air-to-air heat pump. It replaced the previous Renewable Heat Incentive in April 2022.
Eligibility: the property must be in England or Wales (Scotland has a separate scheme). The existing heating system must be replaced — the grant is not available for new-build installations. There is no income cap — any homeowner, including landlords, can apply.
To apply: you do not apply yourself. The registered MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) installer applies on your behalf and deducts the grant from your installation invoice. You pay the net amount. Always ask your installer to confirm they are MCS accredited before signing a contract.
Before installation, you must have a valid EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) that does not recommend cavity wall or loft insulation as an improvement — or have documentary evidence that this insulation has been installed (or is not suitable for the property). This is a common reason for grant rejection.
The grant covers all heat pump types: monobloc ASHP (most common domestic choice), split-system ASHP, ground source, and water source heat pumps. It does not cover hybrid heat pump systems (where a gas boiler is retained alongside the heat pump).
The scheme is currently funded until 2028 but grant levels could change. Contact multiple MCS installers for quotes — prices vary significantly. The installer must use a heat pump that is on the Energy Technology List (ETL) maintained by the government. Ask your installer to confirm the specific model is ETL-listed.
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