Who qualifies for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is the main government grant for switching from fossil fuel heating to low-carbon heating in England and Wales. It is open to both owner-occupiers and landlords, and it runs until 2028.

What you can get

• £7,500 towards an air source heat pump
• £7,500 towards a ground source heat pump
• £5,000 towards a biomass boiler — rural areas only

The grant is paid against the cost of replacing an existing fossil fuel system (such as a gas or oil boiler). To qualify you must:

• use an MCS-certified installer — the installer typically applies for the grant and deducts it from your quote;
• have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for the property, with no outstanding recommendations for cavity wall or loft insulation — you may need to sort insulation first.

If you are in Scotland, or on a low income

The BUS does not operate in Scotland. The equivalent is the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan, which provides grants up to £7,500 plus interest-free loans for heat pumps and other low-carbon heating — apply through Home Energy Scotland.

The BUS is not means-tested, but if you are on a low income you may do better through other routes: ECO4 funds energy efficiency measures for low-income and vulnerable households (start with your energy supplier), and the Great British Insulation Scheme covers a broader range of poorly insulated homes. Eligible low-income households can also get the £150 Warm Home Discount on electricity bills. You can sometimes combine schemes — the BUS can sit alongside other grants provided the same costs are not claimed twice — but you must declare any other funding when you apply. Be wary of cold callers offering "free" upgrades: verify any scheme through official channels before signing anything.