The £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant explained (2026)

The short answer

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) gives eligible homeowners in England and Wales a £7,500 grant towards an air source heat pump. Your MCS-certified installer applies for the grant and deducts it from your bill, so you don't pay the £7,500 up front and reclaim it. As of 28 April 2026 the previous requirement to have no outstanding loft or cavity wall insulation recommendations was removed, making more homes eligible. You must own the property and be replacing a fossil-fuel system.

The grant is the single biggest factor in heat pump affordability, and the rules changed in 2026. Here's how it actually works.

The grant at a glance

Amount£7,500 (air source)
WhereEngland & Wales
Applied byyour MCS installer
Insulation ruleremoved 28 Apr 2026
Must beowner replacing fossil-fuel heat

Who qualifies

You own the property (or it's a small non-domestic building under the scheme rules).
The property is in England or Wales.
You're replacing a fossil-fuel heating system (gas, oil, LPG or electric).
The install is by an MCS-certified installer who registers it under the scheme.

The 2026 change: before 28 April 2026, homes with outstanding loft or cavity wall insulation recommendations on their EPC could be blocked from the grant. That insulation prerequisite was removed, so more homes now qualify — though good insulation still helps a heat pump run efficiently.

How to claim it

Choose an MCS-certified installer and have a heat-loss survey done.
The installer applies for the grant on your behalf and confirms your eligibility.
The £7,500 is deducted from your quote — you pay the balance.
The installer registers the completed system under MCS and the scheme.

You don't handle the paperwork: the grant is claimed by the installer and shown as a deduction on your bill, so you never have to pay the full amount and wait for a refund.

Check the grant on your home

We'll match you with an MCS-certified installer who confirms your Boiler Upgrade Scheme eligibility and applies the £7,500 to your quote.

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Frequently asked questions

How much is the heat pump grant?

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives £7,500 towards an air source heat pump for eligible homeowners in England and Wales. Your installer applies for it and deducts it from your bill.

Do I need insulation to qualify?

As of 28 April 2026, the requirement to have no outstanding loft or cavity wall insulation recommendations was removed, so more homes qualify. Good insulation still helps the heat pump run efficiently.

Do I have to pay the £7,500 first?

No. Your MCS-certified installer claims the grant on your behalf and deducts it from your quote, so you only pay the balance.

Sources & further reading

Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific home. They are guidance, not a quotation or guaranteed saving.