Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) 2026: Complete UK Grant Guide (£7,500 Voucher)
Everything UK homeowners need to know about claiming the £7,500 non-repayable government grant for air source and ground source heat pumps under 2026 DESNZ rules.
📌 Key Takeaways & Statutory Facts:
- The grant provides £7,500 off the upfront cost of an Air Source (ASHP) or Ground Source (GSHP) heat pump.
- The voucher is non-repayable and deducted directly from your installer's quote.
- Mandatory loft and cavity wall insulation requirements were officially decoupled by the UK Government in 2024 to speed up approval times.
- Your installer must be MCS-certified (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) to claim the voucher on your behalf.
- Valid across England and Wales (Scotland offers Home Energy Scotland grants up to £7,500–£9,000).
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is the flagship UK Government subsidy designed to accelerate the decarbonization of domestic heating across England and Wales. Administered by Ofgem on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), the scheme provides an upfront, non-repayable voucher of £7,500 towards the installation of an air source or ground source heat pump.
How the £7,500 Grant is Claimed
Unlike historical tax rebate schemes that forced homeowners to pay full price upfront and claim money back months later, the BUS grant is installer-led:
- Get a Quote: You contact an MCS-certified heat pump installer who visits your property, conducts a room-by-room heat loss calculation, and provides a formal quote.
- Grant Application: The installer applies directly to Ofgem for the £7,500 voucher on your behalf.
- Consent Email: Ofgem sends you an automated email asking you to confirm you own the property and agree to the installation.
- Deduction at Invoice: The £7,500 is deducted immediately from your final invoice. If a full installation costs £10,500, your out-of-pocket payment is just £3,000.
Key Eligibility Criteria in 2026
- Property Ownership: You must own the home (domestic or small commercial). Landlords and private homeowners are eligible.
- Existing Heating System: You must be replacing a fossil fuel system (gas boiler, oil boiler, LPG, or electric storage heaters).
- Valid EPC: Your home must have had an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) issued within the last 10 years with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity insulation (though mandatory installation prior to grant approval was abolished in 2024 to streamline uptake).
- MCS Certified Hardware: The heat pump must be on the official MCS Certified Product Directory (all top models from Vaillant, Daikin, Mitsubishi, Samsung, and Viessmann qualify).
Check Your £7,500 BUS Grant Allocation & Local Installers
Under the statutory Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), UK homeowners qualify for an upfront £7,500 non-repayable voucher with 0% VAT. Check vetted local MCS heating engineers covering your postcode.
Claim Your £7,500 BUS Grant & Match Local Installers
Connect with accredited local MCS heating engineers in your area. Free room heat-loss assessment and £7,500 grant deducted upfront on your invoice with 0% VAT.
Check Your Grant Eligibility
Use our live calculator or 3-tap quiz to discover your property's net installation price.