BUS Eligibility: Can You Get £7,500 for a Heat Pump?
Complete guide to Boiler Upgrade Scheme eligibility in 2025. Find out if you qualify for £7,500 towards an air source or ground source heat pump.
BUS Eligibility Requirements 2025
1. Property Location
- England or Wales only
- Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate schemes
2. Property Type
- Residential properties (houses, bungalows, flats)
- Must be your main residence or rental property
- New builds are NOT eligible
- Park homes may qualify
3. Property Owner Status
- Homeowners: Can apply directly
- Landlords: Can apply for rental properties
- Tenants: Cannot apply (landlord must apply)
4. Current Heating System
You must be replacing a fossil fuel heating system:
- Oil boiler
- LPG boiler
- Electric heating
- Solid fuel (coal, wood)
❌ Natural gas boilers are NOT eligible for BUS
5. Property Energy Efficiency
Your property should have:
- Good insulation (loft and walls)
- EPC rating C or above recommended (not mandatory, but heat pumps work best in well-insulated homes)
- If your EPC is D-G, consider applying for ECO4 or GBIS insulation first
6. Installation Requirements
- Must use an MCS-certified installer
- Heat pump must meet minimum efficiency standards
- Smart controls must be installed
BUS Grant Amounts
Air Source Heat Pump
£7,500
Most popular option. Works in most UK properties.
Ground Source Heat Pump
£7,500
Higher efficiency but requires land for ground loops.
Note: Biomass boilers also qualify for £5,000, but less common.
Do I Need to Contribute Money?
Yes. BUS is a grant, not full funding.
Typical heat pump costs:
- Air source heat pump: £10,000-£15,000
- Ground source heat pump: £18,000-£28,000
Your contribution: £2,500-£7,500 (air source) or £10,500-£20,500 (ground source) after the BUS grant.
Why Natural Gas Boilers Don't Qualify
BUS is designed to help households move away from fossil fuel heating. Natural gas is already relatively low-cost and lower-carbon than oil or LPG, so the government prioritizes grants for properties that will see bigger carbon reductions.
If you have a gas boiler: You may still want to switch to a heat pump for long-term savings and sustainability, but you'll need to fund it yourself (no BUS grant).
Can Landlords Apply for BUS?
Yes! Landlords can apply for BUS on rental properties. This is great for:
- Improving property energy efficiency
- Meeting EPC regulations
- Reducing tenant energy bills (which helps attract tenants)
- Future-proofing the property
Eligibility is the same — the property must currently have oil, LPG, electric, or solid fuel heating.
BUS Eligibility Checklist
Use this quick checklist to see if you qualify:
Property is in England or Wales
You own the property or are the landlord
Property has oil, LPG, electric, or solid fuel heating (not gas)
Property is NOT a new build
Property has adequate insulation
You can afford £2,500-£7,500+ contribution
If you ticked all boxes, you likely qualify for BUS!
What If I Don't Qualify for BUS?
If you don't meet BUS requirements, consider these alternatives:
Check Your BUS Eligibility Now
Find out if you qualify for £7,500 towards a heat pump
Check BUS EligibilityUGRANT connects you with MCS-certified installers who handle the application