BUSActive

Boiler Upgrade Scheme

An upfront government grant towards replacing fossil fuel or electric resistance heating with a low-carbon alternative.

England and Wales onlyUp to £7,500

Guidance only. Funding is not guaranteed. Scheme rules and availability may change.

WHAT THIS ROUTE IS

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) provides an upfront grant to eligible property owners in England and Wales who replace their existing fossil fuel boiler or electric resistance heating system with a low-carbon alternative. The grant is applied as an upfront discount by your MCS-certified installer at the point of purchase, reducing your immediate cost. Owner-occupiers and landlords may be eligible. Private tenants are not direct applicants, but their landlord may apply. Social housing tenants are not eligible. Air-to-air heat pumps funded under this scheme can provide cooling as well as heating, offering year-round home comfort alongside potential energy savings.

GEOGRAPHY

England and Wales only

FUNDER

UK Government (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, DESNZ)

ADMINISTRATOR

Ofgem

ROUTE SIGNALS

Up to £7,500
Heats and cools your home
Installer-led application
Grant support may apply
Technical suitability required
StatusActive
AreaEngland and Wales only
Route typeUp to £7,500

Measures this route may support

The following measures may be included where applicable, subject to scheme rules, property survey and eligibility assessment.

£7,500 grant towards an air-to-water heat pump (up to £9,000 for qualifying off-gas-grid oil or LPG replacements, from 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027)
£7,500 grant towards a ground source or water source heat pump (same £9,000 uplift applies for qualifying oil/LPG properties)
£5,000 grant towards a biomass boiler (rural off-gas-grid properties only, subject to eligibility)
£2,500 grant towards an air-to-air heat pump. Must replace the existing heating system in full and meet the complete space-heating needs of the property. Air-to-air systems can also provide cooling capability, supporting summer comfort as well as winter heating.

Measures are indicative. Not all measures may be available in every case. Subject to installer assessment and scheme rules.

Who may qualify

The following criteria may apply. These are indicative only and subject to scheme rules and installer assessment.

Owner-occupiers in England and Wales (any residential property, not limited to main residence)

Landlords in England and Wales replacing heating in a property they own

Properties replacing an existing fossil fuel boiler (gas, oil, LPG) or electric resistance heating (storage heaters, panel heaters) with an eligible low-carbon system

Properties with a valid EPC certificate that does not include outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation

Existing residential properties only. New-build homes are not eligible.

Eligibility depends on scheme rules, a property survey and installer assessment. These criteria are indicative only. Curator Renovatis results are not a determination of eligibility.

Indicative support and contribution

Up to £7,500

LEVEL OF SUPPORT

£2,500 to £7,500 as a standard grant, applied by your MCS-certified installer as an upfront discount at the point of purchase. Qualifying off-gas-grid oil or LPG properties may be eligible for a higher grant of up to £9,000 for air-to-water or ground-source heat pumps, where the application is made on or between 21 July 2026 and 31 March 2027. The grant does not cover all costs; the remaining balance is the responsibility of the property owner.

CONTRIBUTION AND CHECKS

The BUS grant is applied by the MCS-certified installer at the point of purchase and reduces (but does not eliminate) the total installation cost. Property owners are responsible for the balance above the grant value. Total costs vary significantly by property, technology, and installer. Always obtain quotes from at least two MCS-certified installers before committing.

Subject to scheme rules, survey findings and funding availability. Not a guarantee of funding.

Indicative funding breakdown

low confidence
Estimated project cost£2,000 – £35,000
Potential grant support£2,500 – £7,500
Possible homeowner contributionRoute to be confirmed after survey

What could change this?

This is not a quote or a guarantee. Final costs depend on a property survey, installer quote, grant approval, property condition and funding availability.

Figures show the range across all BUS-eligible technologies. Select a preferred technology above to see a more specific estimate. Air-to-water heat pump (most common): £7,000-£15,000 with £7,500 grant. Ground source heat pump: £15,000-£35,000 with £7,500 grant. Biomass boiler: £10,000-£25,000 with £5,000 grant. An in-home assessment will confirm the best route for your property.

What information you may need

Having the following information to hand can help you complete the eligibility check accurately.

A valid EPC certificate (must not include outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation)

Current heating system type and fuel source

Confirmation that you own the property (owner-occupier or landlord)

Interest in specific technology (air-to-water heat pump, ground source or water source heat pump, biomass boiler, or air-to-air heat pump)

IMPORTANT ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

  • BUS is available to owner-occupiers and landlords in England and Wales. Private tenants cannot apply directly — the grant must be applied for by the property owner. Social housing tenants are not eligible.
  • If your EPC includes outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation, you will need to address these before the BUS grant can be accessed.
  • The grant is applied by your installer as an upfront discount. You must use an MCS-certified and Ofgem-registered contractor.
  • BUS does not cover the full cost of installation. Property owners should expect to contribute towards the total project cost.
  • Air-to-air heat pumps: the new system must replace the existing heating system in full and meet the complete space-heating needs of the property. Hybrid or partial add-on installations are not eligible under BUS. Non-residential buildings are excluded. Air-to-air systems do not provide domestic hot water.
  • Curator Renovatis does not guarantee access to BUS and is not affiliated with Ofgem.

DATA SOURCES AND ACCURACY

ActiveHigh confidence

Information last reviewed: 19 July 2026. Scheme rules can change. Check official sources before making any decisions.

CHECK YOUR POSITION

Ready to check this route?

Curator Renovatis checks this route alongside other major tracked funding routes.

Indicative results only. No guarantee of funding.