Boiler Upgrade Scheme: Up to £9,000 Towards a Heat Pump
How the Boiler Upgrade Scheme works in 2026, who can claim £7,500 or £9,000, and how to find an MCS-certified installer to fit your heat pump.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is the main UK-wide grant for heat pumps — open to most homeowners, with no income test, and available whether or not you qualify for the council-run Warm Homes: Local Grant. Following changes on 28 April 2026, it now covers £9,000 for off-grid oil and LPG homes on top of the standard £7,500.
The grant is applied automatically as a discount by your MCS-certified installer — you don't apply for it yourself. Read the official scheme rules on GOV.UK.
Scheme details on GOV.UKWhat you get
£7,500 towards the cost of a heat pump if your home is on mains gas. £9,000 if your home is off the gas grid and currently heated by oil or LPG — that higher rate took effect on 28 April 2026. Either way, the discount is applied to your installer's quote before you pay — it isn't a rebate you claim afterwards, and you don't get to choose which rate you receive; it depends on your existing heating system.
Who qualifies
- Homeowners and small landlords in England and Wales
- An existing fossil fuel heating system — gas, oil, or LPG
- No household income or property-value limit
- No Energy Performance Certificate required — that requirement was scrapped in April 2026
Since the April 2026 changes, air-to-air heat pumps qualify alongside air-to-water and ground source systems, and self-build properties are eligible for the first time.
How to claim it
You don't apply directly. An MCS-certified installer applies on your behalf as part of quoting your installation, and the £7,500 is deducted from what you're quoted. Installers registered for the scheme are marked BUS grant eligible on their listing in this directory.
Not sure you qualify for this one?
If you're on a lower income or in certain postcodes, the council-run Warm Homes: Local Grant may cover more of the cost — read our guide to the Warm Homes: Local Grant to check.
Find a BUS-registered installer
Find an MCS-certified installer near you →
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant worth?
£7,500 for homes on mains gas switching to a heat pump. If your home is off the gas grid and currently heated by oil or LPG, the grant rose to £9,000 from 28 April 2026. Both amounts are deducted directly from your installer's quote — it's not a cash payment to you.
Who can get the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant?
Most homeowners and small landlords in England and Wales with an existing fossil fuel heating system can apply — there's no income or property-value test. You'll need an installer who is MCS certified to carry out the work and submit the application on your behalf.
Do I still need an EPC to apply?
No. The requirement for a valid Energy Performance Certificate was removed on 28 April 2026, which makes applying more straightforward than it used to be.
Are air-to-air heat pumps covered?
Yes, as of the April 2026 changes. Previously the scheme only covered air-to-water and ground source systems; air-to-air heat pumps are now eligible too.
Do I apply for the grant myself?
No. Your chosen MCS-certified installer applies on your behalf as part of quoting and installing the system. Look for the BUS-registered badge on a directory listing to find installers set up to do this.