The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) provides up to £6,000 towards the cost of switching your heating to a green, renewable heat pump.
What is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
If you have an old, inefficient heating system, such as an old gas or oil boiler, or night storage heaters, you can get funding from the government to upgrade to a heat pump. The money will go towards the heat pump itself, any new radiators/underfloor required and the installer’s installation fees.
Am I eligible for BUS?
You’re eligible for a grant if you own the property – this also includes businesses, second homes and rental properties. You must be replacing a fossil fuel heating system, such as oil, gas or electric.
You must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and a reasonable level of insulation – in your loft or cavity wall if applicable.
Most new builds, including self-build properties, are not eligible for the BUS. Nor is social housing. There are exceptions to these rules, so it’s worth checking (you can do that, here: Apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme: Check if you’re eligible ).
I’ve already had funding for green home improvements, am I still eligible for BUS?
It depends what the funding was for. If it was for double-glazing or insulation, then ‘yes’, you can still access the BUS. Well-insulated, energy efficient homes are best-suited to heat pumps.
If you’ve already received funding for renewable heating – a heat pump or biomass boiler, for example – then it is most likely that you won’t be eligible for the BUS.
How do I access the funding?
Your installer will access the funding on your behalf and take this off their final bill. The money goes towards the whole job – the heat pump and installation fees. To benefit from the BUS, you must choose an installer who is Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accredited, such as Heat IQ.
What types of heat pump are there?
There are two main types of heat pump, air and ground source. Most properties are suitable for an air source heat pump (ASHP), which draws in cold air from the outside and converts it into heat. The heat pump sits on the outside of your house.
Under the BUS, ASHP’s are eligible for £5,000 funding.
Ground source heat pumps (GSHP) are more efficient than ASHPs, but they require a large outside space. Heat is drawn from pipes buried into the ground making GSHP’s more suited to properties with large gardens, usually in rural locations. The heat pump itself is installed inside the property.
Because there is more work (and cost) involved in installing a GSHP, the funding available for this technology is £6,000.
How long will BUS run for?
The BUS will run until April 2025. There is a limited pot of money, so the sooner you apply, the better.
Want to find out more about heat pumps and how we can help you access the BUS? Contact ustoday!
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