Green Home Grant #3: Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
Contents
- What is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
- What do the grants cover?
- Is my property eligible?
- How do I apply?
1. What is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is a government scheme supporting low carbon technologies in homes and small non-domestic properties in England and Wales. It provides grants to encourage property owners to replace existing fossil fuel heating with more efficient, low carbon heating systems such as air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps and, in limited circumstances, biomass boilers.
Eligible low carbon heating systems that are commissioned on or after 1 April 2022 will be entitled to support under the BUS. ‘‘Commissioning” is the completion of installation and set-up of the system. Ofgem will be the administrator for the scheme. From 11 April 2022 installers will be able to open an account for the scheme with Ofgem. An account will be needed to make a voucher application.
From 23 May 2022, the scheme opens for grant applications and payments. The installer will apply on behalf of property owners.
2. What do the grants cover?
The grants will help property owners overcome the upfront cost of installing low carbon heating technologies.
- £5,000 towards the cost and installation of an air source heat pump
- £5,000 towards the cost and installation of a biomass boiler
- £6,000 off the cost and installation of a ground source heat pump
Grants for biomass boilers will only cover rural locations or properties that are not connected to the gas grid. Heat pumps are eligible either on or off the gas grid.
3. Is my property eligible?
The key requirements for eligibility are:
- Homes and small non-domestic properties in England and Wales will be eligible. The maximum installation capacity of up to 45kWth covers the vast majority of these properties.
- Your property will need a valid energy performance certificate (EPC) with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation (unless you have an insulation exemption).
- Funding will not be available for the replacement of existing low carbon heat systems. Only properties which are fully replacing an existing fossil fuel system (such as oil, gas or direct electric) will be eligible for support.
- New build properties will not normally be eligible. The only exception is if you’re building your own home.
You can use a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) installer to check if you meet all the requirements. Find an MCS certified installer in your area here: https://mcscertified.com/find-an-installer/
5. How do I apply?
First, find an MCS certified installer in your area for advise you on whether an installation is eligible for a grant.
Then agree on a quote for the project installation. Try to obtain quotes from multiple installers to make sure you’re getting the best value for money. The installer should discount the value of the grant from the total cost paid by you, and include this in the quote.
Your chosen installer will apply for the grant on your behalf to Ofgem who will contact you asking for your consent to the installer for the application. The installer will redeem the voucher once they have completed the installation and commissioning.