The Boiler Upgrade Scheme: How to Get £7,500 Towards a Heat Pump

The UK Government's Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is one of the most generous home improvement grants currently available to UK homeowners. Offering up to £7,500 towards the cost of installing a heat pump, it's designed to make the switch from gas heating to renewable alternatives financially accessible — and it's available right now, with no means-testing and a straightforward application process.

What Is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a government grant programme administered by Ofgem. It provides upfront capital grants to homeowners in England and Wales who want to replace their existing fossil fuel heating system with a low-carbon alternative. The scheme was launched in 2022 and has been extended through to 2028, with the grant amount increased to £7,500 for air source and ground source heat pumps in 2023.

How Much Can I Get?

• Air source heat pump: £7,500
• Ground source heat pump: £7,500
• Biomass boiler (in limited rural areas): £5,000

The grant is applied directly by your MCS-certified installer at the point of installation — you don't pay the full amount and claim it back. Your installer deducts the grant from the total cost of the installation, and you pay the remainder.

Am I Eligible?

To be eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you must meet the following criteria:

• You own the property (the scheme is available to owner-occupiers and landlords)
• The property is in England or Wales
• The property has a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation
• The property has not previously received a grant under the scheme
• The installation is carried out by an MCS-certified installer

There is no income limit or means-testing — the scheme is available to all eligible homeowners regardless of income. New build properties are not eligible.

How Does the Application Process Work?

The good news is that you don't need to do much of the paperwork yourself. The process works as follows: first, you choose an MCS-certified installer and agree on the installation. Your installer checks your eligibility and applies for the voucher on your behalf through the Ofgem portal. Once the voucher is approved (usually within a few days), the installation can proceed. After installation, your installer redeems the voucher and the grant is paid directly to them — you simply pay the balance.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

The scheme has a finite budget, and while it's currently well-funded through to 2028, it's worth acting sooner rather than later. Heat pump installations are also in high demand, and lead times for equipment and installation slots can be several weeks. If you're considering making the switch, getting an assessment booked now means you'll be at the front of the queue.

At Prime Degrees, we're MCS-certified and fully accredited to carry out Boiler Upgrade Scheme installations. We handle the entire application process on your behalf — from checking your eligibility to submitting the voucher — so you don't have to navigate the paperwork alone.