Under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you can obtain a grant that helps subsidise the cost of replacing old fossil fuel heating systems with more sustainable alternatives like heat pumps or biomass boilers. These fossil fuel systems include those powered by oil, gas, electricity, or LPG (liquefied petroleum gas).

 

Are You Eligible?

To be eligible for this grant, you need to meet several criteria:

• You should be the owner of the property for which the grant is being applied. This applies whether the property is a business premises, a second home, or a rental property.
• The new heating system should have been installed on or after April 1, 2022.
• The system you’re replacing should be an old fossil fuel heating system.

Prior energy efficiency improvements in your property do not affect your eligibility.

Checking Your Property’s Eligibility

Your property must have a current Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) without any pending recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation. Note that from early May 2024, the eligibility criteria will change, allowing properties with outstanding insulation recommendations to qualify.

If you’re uncertain about whether a low carbon heating system is right for your property, consulting an MCS certified installer can provide clarity on your options.

Eligibility for Biomass Boilers

You could be eligible for a grant for a biomass boiler if:

• Your property is not connected to the gas grid.
• It is located in a rural area (refer to Ofgem’s guidelines to determine this).
• The boiler has an emissions certificate indicating minimal pollutant emissions.

However, grants are not available for biomass boilers in self-built properties.

Ineligible Properties

Grants are not available for:

• Most new builds.
• Social housing.
• Properties that have previously received government funding for a heat pump or biomass boiler.

For new builds still under construction by developers, no grants are offered. But if you’ve moved into a newly completed home with a fossil fuel boiler, you might be eligible for a heat pump grant.

Self-Built Property Eligibility

If you’ve built the property yourself or contracted someone to do so, and it has never been owned by a business or organisation, it may qualify. Proof of self-build status, like title deeds, will be required.

 

Applying for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)

To apply, check your eligibility for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme with our MCS certified installers and the installer will apply on your behalf and deduct the grant amount from your installation cost. 

Following your application, Ofgem will reach out to confirm the installer’s representation and may conduct checks on the installation. MCS may also perform separate verifications.