How To Apply For The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)

Many UK households are seeking ways to lower their energy bills. From reducing energy use to insulating their homes, people are exploring various options.

One popular option is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), a government grant designed to support the installation of greener heating systems.

But what is BUS, and how do you apply for it?

What Is BUS, And How Do I Apply For It?

BUS is a UK government grant that is designed to help homeowners in England and Wales switch from fossil fuel heating to a more sustainable, low-carbon system.

The grant will pay for part of the cost of replacing your fossil fuel heating system with one of the following:

• Air source heat pump (ASHP)
• Ground source heat pump (GSHP)
• And a biomass boiler (in certain circumstances)

Another great feature of this scheme is that homeowners don’t have to apply for the grant themselves. Instead, an MCS-certified installer will apply for the grant on your behalf.

MCS is an industry-led quality assurance scheme that certifies, qualifies, and ensures the quality of domestic renewable energy technology and contractors.

What’s The Process To Apply For A BUS Grant?

For those looking to apply for the BUS grant, here are the steps involved:

1. Find an MCS-certified installer in your area who can carry out the work.
2. The installer will advise you on the best heating system for your property.
3. Agree on a quote for the installation with your chosen installer.
4. The installer will then apply to Ofgem on your behalf.
5. Ofgem will contact you to confirm you consent to the application.

Once the application is approved, your new system can be installed. The installer will have 120 days from the application date to complete the installation.

After the installation has been commissioned, the installer will redeem the grant voucher, and the grant amount will be discounted from your final bill.

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Do I Qualify For A BUS Grant?

To qualify for a BUS grant, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must be a homeowner (or own a small non-domestic property)
• Your property must be in England or Wales
• You must be fully replacing an existing fossil fuel system (such as oil, gas, LPG, or electric)
• Your property must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

What Are The Additional Requirements for Biomass Boilers?

If you’re considering a biomass boiler, there are extra conditions:

• Your property must be in a rural location and not connected to the gas grid.
• The biomass system must use logs or wood pellets and have an emissions certificate showing it doesn’t produce significant pollution.

What Is An EPC And Why Do I Need One?

An EPC, or Energy Performance Certificate, is a report that assesses a property’s energy efficiency. It gives the home a score from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).

This certificate, or report, will include the following:

• Estimated heating and lighting costs
• Tips for improving efficiency (like insulation)
• Your home’s carbon emissions rating

Luckily, an EPC is valid for 10 years. This means that if you are unsure of your EPC status, you can double-check it here.

Additionally, as of 2024, you are no longer required to meet specific insulation standards to qualify; however, it’s still worthwhile to upgrade if possible.

Do You Have The Time?

When applying for a BUS grant, it is essential to be aware of the timing requirements, as the new system must be operational within 120 days of the grant application.

Another factor is that this grant is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, as the government has a limited amount to award.

For those who have missed out on applying for this year’s BUS grant, you might need assistance with your regular gas boiler. Fortunately, we can still assist you in finding the exact boiler you need.

Find The Best Boiler For Your Home

WarmZilla strives to make finding the exact boiler you need as simple as possible.

Our network of Gas Safe registered engineers can have your new boiler installed in as little as 48 hours, with no hidden fees and no stress.

Take our quick online survey to discover the best boiler options for your home.

And if you need it, we’ve got flexible finance plans on all the top brands to help you spread the cost.