As of October 2024, Ofgem streamlined the eligibility rules for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). Here’s what you need to qualify:
For custom-built homes, no EPC is needed if you’re the original builder and the property meets current eco-friendly building standards. The home must also never have been owned by a business. If you tick all these boxes, an installer can apply for a £7,500 discount on an air source or ground source heat pump on your behalf.
To qualify for a £5,000 biomass boiler discount, additional criteria apply:
If you meet these requirements, an installer can help secure your grant and reduce the upfront cost of going low-carbon.
Until the Boiler Upgrade Scheme ends in 2028, installers can request a voucher for a heat pump or biomass boiler installation on a first-come, first-served basis.
Once the voucher is issued, they have three months (120 days) to install an air source heat pump or biomass boiler at your property, or six months for a ground source heat pump.
After completing the installation, they can redeem the voucher to lower the total cost.
The government states this method “ensures a simpler, smoother experience for consumers while providing installers with certainty.”
You can begin collecting quotes now, and once you settle on a price, your installer will handle the grant application for you.