The Boiler Upgrade Scheme Explained: Claiming Your Grant
The government grant makes heat pumps more affordable than they were for a lot of North East homes. Here’s how it actually works, in plain English.
What is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)?
It’s a government grant that reduces the upfront cost of swapping a gas or oil boiler for a heat pump, paid directly to the installer, so it comes straight off your quote. You don’t claim it back yourself or wait for a refund. We’ll confirm the exact grant amount that applies to your installation at the survey stage, since scheme terms and figures are set by the government and can be updated.
Am I eligible?
In most cases, yes, if you’re replacing an existing fossil fuel heating system (gas, oil or LPG boiler) in a home in England or Wales, and the installation is carried out by an MCS-certified installer, which we are. There’s no income test. Properties need an up-to-date Energy Performance Certificate with no outstanding loft or cavity wall insulation recommendations, which is one of the things we check for you before the application goes in.
Do I need to do anything myself?
No. This is one of the genuine perks of going through an MCS-certified installer. We handle the application on your behalf as part of the installation process; you simply see the grant applied as a deduction on your final quote. We’ll walk you through exactly what it means for your numbers at the survey, so there’s no surprise later.
How long does the grant application take, and will it delay my installation?
It shouldn’t hold anything up.
The application is submitted as part of our standard installation process once your survey and quote are agreed, and it’s processed alongside the job rather than as a separate step you have to wait on.
We keep you updated if anything’s needed from you, such as confirming your EPC is current, but for most homeowners, it’s genuinely one less thing to think about.