Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)

A government initiative in England and Wales to help households replace fossil-fuel heating with low-carbon technologies — including air source heat pumps — through installer-led grants.

What it is

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers a fixed grant toward the cost of installing an eligible low-carbon heating system in place of an oil, gas, or other fossil-fuel boiler (subject to property and technology rules). The process is usually handled by your MCS-certified installer, who applies for a voucher on your behalf and redeems it after the work is completed to your satisfaction.

At a glance (England & Wales)

  • Air source heat pumps have commonly been supported with up to £7,500 toward eligible costs — amounts and rules are set by government and can change.
  • Your property and installation must meet scheme criteria (building, capacity, and technology eligibility).
  • Scotland and Northern Ireland run different support programmes; this page focuses on BUS in England and Wales.

Grant amounts, caps, and eligibility are decided by the UK government and Ofgem’s scheme rules — not by Energy Badger. We summarise BUS here to help you understand the landscape; always confirm current terms with your installer and on GOV.UK before you commit.

Typical steps

1

Survey & design

Heat loss, emitters, and hot water are assessed so the system is sized correctly — BUS is about eligible kit installed to standard, not a generic online price.

2

Quote & voucher

An MCS-registered installer quotes the job and, if you proceed, applies for a BUS voucher for your eligible installation within scheme limits.

3

Install & redeem

After commissioning and certification, the installer redeems the voucher; the grant reduces what you pay compared with the same job without BUS.

How Energy Badger fits in

We explain whether a heat pump suits your home, what upgrades might be needed, and how grants like BUS could affect your quote — then we handle clear proposals and honest timelines. We’ll tell you what evidence and registrations matter so you’re not surprised at voucher stage.