Benefits of the (BUS) Boiler Upgrade Scheme

Summer goes too fast, doesn’t it? 

With us now approaching Autumn, making sure your boiler is prepared for the colder months should be high on your to-do list. 

Getting your boiler and central heating system ready for the drop in temperatures is not only important for the warmth and comfort of your family, it’s also important for managing your energy costs and carbon footprint. 

So if you haven’t done so already, get that boiler service booked in! 

Of course, an alternative to servicing your boiler (especially if it’s getting older and efficiency is starting to decline), is to take advantage of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

This initiative from the UK government provides a cost-effective solution for upgrading your home heating system and switching to greener, more environmentally friendly ways to heat your home. 

Curious to find out more? 

Read on to find out how the Boiler Upgrade Scheme works, the options that are available, and the benefits that you can achieve. 

Understanding the Boiler Upgrade Scheme

As part of the UK Government’s strategy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the UK boiler scheme helps promote the installation of energy-efficient, environmentally friendly heating systems in homes across the country 

By providing financial support for the installation of heat pumps and biogas boilers through boiler grants across the UK, the scheme makes it easier for property owners to switch to a more eco-friendly way to heat their homes. 

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is set to run until 31 March 2026, so there’s still plenty of time to take advantage of the initiative.

What are benefits of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?

By covering a large proportion of the installation costs for renewable heating systems, the UK boiler scheme makes it more feasible for people to switch from traditional boilers to more sustainable home heating solution - as there isn’t that initial financial obstacle. 

Upgrading your heating system under the BUS UK scheme can also improve your property's energy efficiency - especially if you opt for an air source or ground source heat pump. 

So, the financial benefits aren’t just from the UK boiler grant - you can actually see the positive impact on your finances in the long term from reduced energy bills​.

But perhaps the biggest underlying reason for taking advantage of this UK heating grant is to reduce your household's carbon emissions, aligning with the UK's broader efforts to combat climate change. 

By moving away from fossil fuels, you’re able to make a positive contribution to a cleaner, greener future while also saving money.

What’s available under the boiler replacement grant?

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is quite versatile and offers three options for more eco-friendly home heating to suit different property types and heating needs. 

Let's take a more in-depth look at the three solutions supported by the energy-efficient grant:

Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs)

Air source heat pumps are probably the most popular option under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and they work by extracting heat from the outside air and using it to warm your home. 

You’d be forgiven for thinking air source heat pump grants would be no good for UK homes in the winter - but they actually remain effective all throughout the year, even when the air outside is colder.

If you want to find out more about how air source heat pumps operate, we have a handy flow chart that explains the process in detail.  

But the most important thing is that air source heat pumps are far more energy efficient than traditional boilers - often generating more than three times the energy they need to operate. And as such, they can significantly reduce your energy bills, and your carbon footprint. 

Under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, a heat pump grant of up to £7,500 is available to cover the cost and installation of an air source heat pump

Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs)

Ground source heat pumps are another eco-friendly option for heating your home, if your property has enough outdoor space. 

A GSHP works by taking advantage of the natural heat from the earth. 

A network of pipes are placed deep underground, where the temperature remains stable, whatever the weather. The ground source heat pump uses this stable heat to warm your home.

In terms of efficiency, ground source heat pumps are more efficient than air source systems. But they are also more expensive, and more complex to install. 

And with the energy efficiency grant for both ground source and air source heat pumps being the same at £7500 under the BUS UK scheme, the majority of homeowners choose to opt for an air source heat pump solution.

Biomass boilers

Biomass boilers provide an alternative to heating your home with fossil fuels like gas or oil, by burning renewable materials such as wood pellets or wood chips. 

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides a £5,000 grant to help cover the cost of a biomass boiler, but to be eligible your property needs to be in a rural area without access to the main gas supply.

Who is eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme has been designed by the UK government to be accessible to a wide range of property owners across England and Wales.

In the pursuit of net zero targets by 2050, the government genuinely wants to encourage as many homeowners as possible to switch to renewable energy to heat their homes. 

But to qualify for the scheme, there are a few specific criteria that need to be met:

Property ownership

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is available to owners of domestic and small non domestic properties.  It's also open to certain types of properties like holiday homes and churches - as long as they meet other eligibility requirements​.

An existing heating system powered by fossil fuels

To qualify for BUS UK, the existing heating system in your property must be powered by fossil fuel - such as a gas, oil, or electric boiler.

This eligibility criteria for the UK heating grant helps make sure the scheme isn’t taken advantage of, and funds can be allocated to where they are intended - helping homes move away from fossil fuels and towards green energy. 

A valid EPC, and suitable insulation

To be eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you’re also going to need a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). 

And your EPC can’t have any outstanding recommendations for the installation loft or cavity wall insulation.

By showing you have a valid EPC that confirms your insulation is up to scratch, you’re able to demonstrate that your home is energy efficient enough to reap the benefits of a new heating system​ through the grant.

The right installation partner

All installations under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme need to be carried out by an MCS certified partner. 

This helps ensure that your renewable heating system is installed correctly, which is better for the environment, and your peace of mind.

Choose Projects4Renewables for your air source heat pump installation

If you’re looking to take advantage of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and make your home more energy efficient, it’s important to choose the right installation partner. 

Out of the three options available under the BUS UK, the most popular for many homeowners is the installation of an air source heat pump. And that’s what we specialise in. 

But at Projects4Renewables, we offer more than just installation. We provide an end-to-end service that makes your transition to renewable energy as smooth and hassle-free as possible.

As an MCS-certified installer, we have the expertise and experience to handle every aspect of your project. 

From the initial consultation, to managing the UK heating grant application process, right through to the installation of your new system - we take care of it all. 

Our team in East Anglia is committed to delivering expert advice and high-quality installations that are tailored to meet the unique needs of your property.

With a grant of £7,500 now available for the installation of air source heat pumps, there's never been a better time to make the switch to renewable heating.

So if you’re looking to reduce your energy bills, and contribute to a greener future, get in touch with us!