Since its launch in April 2022, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) has helped over 14,000 people in England and Wales fund improvements to their home’s energy efficiency.

Now, the scheme's offering more generous financial support in the hope of encouraging more people to upgrade their homes.

The scheme up until 22 October 2023

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme was first introduced to provide grants (free cash contributions) to homeowners in England and Wales who wanted to replace their existing gas boiler with a more efficient way of heating their home.

It meant that you didn’t have to pay the full cost of what could otherwise be an expensive upgrade.

Until 22 October 2023, the scheme will continue to offer:

• £5,000 off the cost and installation of an air source heat pump.
• £5,000 off the cost and installation of a biomass boiler.
• £6,000 off the cost and installation of a ground source heat pump, including water source heat pumps.

To get the grant, you must meet certain eligibility criteria:

• Own the property you’re applying for.
• This scheme is open to people in England and Wales.
• Replace a fossil fuel heating system such as oil, gas or electric with a heat pump or biomass boiler.
• Have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation.

There are a few exemptions and additional criteria if you own a biomass boiler (see the Gov.UK website for details).

What's changing from 23 October 2023

Change is good, so they say. And in this case, we can only see upside.

From 23 October 2023, the scheme will increase its offering to:

• £7,500 off the cost and installation of an air source heat pump.
• £5,000 off the cost and installation of a biomass boiler.
• £7,500 off the cost and installation of a ground source heat pump, including water source heat pumps.

Although funding for biomass boilers remains unchanged, the additional funding for heat pumps is significant. In many cases, it should cover the whole cost of the installation.

No changes have been made to eligibility.

What if you’re already in the process of applying?

To get the grant, your installer needs to apply on your behalf. So speak with them to check on the status of the application.

Applications that are - or have already been - granted before 22 October 2023 will receive the original funding amount. But don’t worry... your installer can withdraw the granted application and then reapply after 23 October 2023 to receive the new amount.

Unfortunately, it’s not possible to withdraw and reapply if your installer has already received the grant payment from the scheme.

Time to seize the opportunity

If you’ve been sitting on the fence about making your home more energy-efficient, now could be the time to take the plunge.

As well as making your energy less carbon intensive, replacing your gas boiler with a more efficient method of heating could drastically reduce your energy bills.

With a more generous payout and £450 million in funding available until 2025, it would be a shame to miss out.

Just remember to choose an installer who’s certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), as only these installers are eligible to apply for the grant on your behalf.