Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (now the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) and Ofgem launched the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS).
Contractors are now able to make voucher and redemption applications. Please note that – although the voucher application system opened on 23 May 2022 – installations commissioned from 1 April 2022 will be eligible to apply for the BUS.
To apply for a Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, contractors will need to set-up a BUS installer account. Applications can then be submitted to Ofgem, more information is at the bottom of this page.
What is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
A new, flat, upfront grant, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme comprises £150 Million of support per year until 2028.
Announced in the government’s Heat and Buildings Strategy, the BUS follows the Domestic Renewable Heating Incentive (DRHI), which closed at midnight on 31 March 2022.
The BUS allows consumers to apply for a one-off grant payment of:
- £5,000 towards the cost of an air source heat pump (ASHP) or biomass installation
- or £6,000 towards the cost of a ground source heat pump (GSHP) installation.
Please be aware that biomass installations are only supported in limited circumstances, and solar thermal is excluded from the scheme.
The amount for both air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps is set to increase to £7,500. These changes will take effect from Monday 23 October 2023.
If you currently have a live Boiler Upgrade Scheme voucher, it remains worth the original value – £5,000 for air source heat pumps or biomass boilers, £6,000 for ground/water source heat pumps. However, you may choose to revoke your live voucher now and re-apply for a new voucher at the higher value once the changes take effect.
Contractors will be required to lead the voucher application on behalf of the consumer.
Homes and small non-domestic buildings on and off the gas grid, including owner-occupiers, private landlords and custom-builds, are eligible for the BUS. New buildings and social housing will not be eligible for support. The consumer must have an EPC issued within the last 10 years to qualify.
Registering and applying for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
If you wish to submit applications for grants under the scheme, you will be required to create a BUS installer account with Ofgem.
You must submit a registration form directly to Ofgem in order to create your account. You can download the form from the Ofgem website here.
Ofgem has also published detailed guidance to help you through the process – here.
Ofgem have now launched their online voucher application portal. The portal will allow you to apply for vouchers quicker and easier online as well as track each application on a dedicated dashboard.
You can find a video explaining the process of using the portal here.
To use the portal, you will need to have registered for the BUS already. You should receive an email from Ofgem with instructions on how to sign up; remember to check your spam folder.
Key resources for contractors and property owners
Here is a list of key resources for contractors by Ofgem:
- Installer guidance
- BUS account creation guidance
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme Regulations: approved standards
- Draft BUS regulations
- Product Eligibility List
Property owners should access the guidance by Ofgem.
For more in-depth information on guidance related to criteria and eligibility for the BUS, read our dedicated blog.
If you need further help, contact us.
Protecting quality
MCS is undertaking checks on heating system installations completed by MCS contractors using a grant from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. We will be contacting homeowners directly to capture information to carry out these checks.
Please let your customers know that we may contact them via boilerupgradescheme@mcscertified.com or 0333 103 8198. They should aim to respond within seven days of receiving our communication.
If you need further help, contact us.