The £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, explained

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) pays ££7,500 off a new air source heat pumpfor every qualifying homeowner in England. It’s paid straight to your MCS-certified installer, so it comes off your quote automatically — there’s no income means test and nothing to pay back.

What exactly is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?

Launched in 2022 and boosted to £7,500from October 2023, the BUS is the UK government’s flagship heat pump subsidy. It’s a grant to installers, not you — which means the discount appears on your quote before you pay anything. You don’t claim money back later, and the funding doesn’t need to be paid back if you move house within the scheme window.

Who is eligible?

• ✅ Property owners (homeowner or landlord) in England or Wales — it also covers some custom builds and self-build conversions
• ✅ Your property has a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) — no loft or cavity wall insulation recommendations left outstanding on it
• ✅ Current heating system is a fossil fuel boiler (gas, oil, LPG) or an electric system
• ✅ You’re replacing it with a heat pump, solar thermal, or a biomass boiler (heat pumps are the focus here)
• ✅ An MCS-certified installer completes the work — always check before you book

What does the grant cover?

The £7,500 can go toward the heat pump unit itself, its installation, and reasonable associated work the installer quotes as part of making it work (for example, a new hot water cylinder or upgraded radiators). The installer claims the grant from government after the job, so your bill is simply reduced by £7,500.

• ❌ It’s not a loan and never needs repaying.
• ❌ It doesn’t cover gas boilers or repairs to your existing system.
• ✅ One grant per property — so there’s no stacking multiple grants on one install.

How to apply — 4 steps

1. 1. Get quotes from MCS-certified installers. The installer does the grant application for you, so pick someone who covers your area and is MCS-registered.
2. 2. Confirm your EPC is valid. Check your Energy Performance Certificate is up to date and has no outstanding loft or cavity-wall insulation recommendations. If it does, address them first (your installer can advise).
3. 3. Approve into the installer’s application. Your installer submits the BUS application in your name and emails you a digital consent to approve.
4. 4. Watch the £7,500 come off your quote. Once the grant is approved, your installer deducts it from the total cost. You pay the balance on completion.