Guide · last reviewed 3 August 2026
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme in 2026, explained straight
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is the UK government grant that knocks £7,500 — or £9,000for off-gas-grid homes heated by oil or LPG — off the cost of a heat pump in England and Wales. Here's how it actually works, without the sales gloss.
What you get
£7,500 off an air source or ground source heat pump installation. The money never touches your bank account: your MCS-certified installer applies to Ofgem, gets the grant, and quotes you the net price. With typical installs at £10,000–£14,000, most households end up paying £2,500–£6,500.
The scheme also covers two other technologies at lower rates, which gov.uk currently states as £5,000 towards a biomass boiler and £2,500 towards an air-to-air heat pump. Air-to-air units heat the air directly rather than feeding radiators or underfloor pipework, so they don't give you hot water — the £7,500 and £9,000 figures on this site refer to the air-to-water systems that most homes fit.
The £9,000 off-gas-grid rate
Since 21 July 2026 the grant has been £9,000 for properties that are not connected to the mains gas grid and are heated by oil or LPG. That's a £1,500 uplift on the standard figure, and gov.uk currently states it runs until March 2027. If that describes your home, say so up front — the installer applies for the higher rate on your behalf, and it should be visible in the quote.
Who qualifies
- You own the property (owner-occupiers, landlords, second homes).
- It's in England or Wales (Scotland has its own, often more generous, Home Energy Scotland support).
- You're replacing a fossil fuel (gas, oil, LPG, coal) or electric heating system — it doesn't have to be broken.
- The install is done by an MCS-certified installer with capacity up to 45kWth. A valid EPC helps but, since 28 April 2026, isn't required — installers can use alternative evidence if you don't have one.
The catches worth knowing
- MCS certification is non-negotiable — a non-certified installer means no grant, full stop. Verify any installer on the official MCS register before signing; every listing on this site links to it.
- The grant is per-property and one-shot. If a previous owner claimed BUS for the property, it can't be claimed again.
- Quotes vary a lot for identical hardware. Because the installer pockets the grant and bills you the difference, always compare at least three quotes so the grant benefits you, not the margin.
Quick answers
Do I apply for the grant myself?
No — your MCS-certified installer applies to Ofgem on your behalf and deducts the grant from your quote. If an installer can't do this, they're not eligible to, which is a red flag.
Can I get the grant if I'm replacing a working gas boiler?
Yes. The system you replace doesn't need to be broken — it needs to be a fossil fuel or electric system. You can't use BUS to replace an existing heat pump.
Who gets £9,000 instead of £7,500?
Homes in England & Wales that have no mains gas connection and are heated by oil or LPG qualify for £9,000. The £1,500 uplift has applied since 21 July 2026 and is currently set to run until 31 March 2027.
Does my home need an EPC?
Not any more. Since 28 April 2026, a valid EPC is no longer a precondition — if you don't have one, your installer can use alternative evidence instead, typically a recent utility bill showing your existing fuel type plus photos of the current heating system.
Sources: gov.uk Boiler Upgrade Scheme guidance; Ofgem BUS property-owner guidance; MCS. This is general information, not financial advice — scheme rules can change, so confirm current terms with Ofgem or your installer.