{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk#organization", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "name": "kilowatts.uk", "url": "https://kilowatts.uk", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://kilowatts.uk/images/kw-logo-large.png" }, "description": "kilowatts.uk is the UK's renewable energy marketplace — connecting homeowners and businesses with MCS-certified solar, heat pump, battery storage, wind power, and EV charging installers, with free comparison tools and independent guides.", "contactPoint": [ { "@type": "ContactPoint", "telephone": "+448000096058", "contactType": "customer service", "contactOption": "TollFree", "areaServed": "GB", "availableLanguage": "English" }, { "@type": "ContactPoint", "telephone": "+447378472152", "contactType": "mobile", "areaServed": "GB", "availableLanguage": "English" } ], "sameAs": [ "https://www.facebook.com/kilowatts.uk", "https://www.instagram.com/kilowatts.uk", "https://www.tiktok.com/@kilowatts.uk", "https://www.youtube.com/@kilowattsuk", "https://twitter.com/kilowattsuk" ], "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "Carey, Northwood Rd", "addressLocality": "Broadstairs", "postalCode": "CT10 2RZ", "addressCountry": "GB" }, "hasPart": [ { "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk#organization/local" }, { "@type": "WebApplication", "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk/#solar-residential-app", "name": "Residential Solar Panel Comparison Tool", "url": "https://kilowatts.uk/services/residential/renewable-energy/residential-solar-panel-installation/compare/", "applicationCategory": "Utility", "operatingSystem": "All" }, { "@type": "WebApplication", "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk/#solar-commercial-app", "name": "Commercial Solar Comparison Tool", "url": "https://kilowatts.uk/services/commercial/renewable-energy/commercial-solar-panel-installation/compare/", "applicationCategory": "BusinessApplication", "operatingSystem": "All" }, { "@type": "WebApplication", "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk/#solar-industrial-app", "name": "Industrial Solar Comparison Tool", "url": "https://kilowatts.uk/services/industrial/renewable-energy/industrial-solar-panel-installation/compare/", "applicationCategory": "BusinessApplication", "operatingSystem": "All" }, { "@type": "WebApplication", "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk/#wind-tool", "name": "Wind Turbine Calculator", "url": "https://kilowatts.uk/services/wind-power/flower-turbines/", "applicationCategory": "Utility", "operatingSystem": "All" } ] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk/#website", "url": "https://kilowatts.uk", "name": "kilowatts.uk", "description": "kilowatts.uk is the UK's renewable energy marketplace — connecting homeowners and businesses with MCS-certified solar, heat pump, battery storage, wind power, and EV charging installers, with free comparison tools and independent guides.", "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk#organization" }, "about": { "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk/about-us/#webpage" } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "name": "Breadcrumb", "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk/resources/bus-grant-for-heat-pumps-2026-eligibility-and-7500-subsidy/#webpage-breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": { "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk" } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Resources", "item": { "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk/resources/" } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "BUS Grant for Heat Pumps 2026: Eligibility and £7,500 Subsidy", "item": { "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk/resources/bus-grant-for-heat-pumps-2026-eligibility-and-7500-subsidy/" } } ] }, { "@type": "FAQPage", "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk/resources/bus-grant-for-heat-pumps-2026-eligibility-and-7500-subsidy/#faq", "url": "https://kilowatts.uk/resources/bus-grant-for-heat-pumps-2026-eligibility-and-7500-subsidy/#faq", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "isPartOf": [ { "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk/resources/bus-grant-for-heat-pumps-2026-eligibility-and-7500-subsidy/#webpage" }, { "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk/resources/bus-grant-for-heat-pumps-2026-eligibility-and-7500-subsidy/#content" } ], "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "How much is the BUS grant for a heat pump in 2026?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "In 2026, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant is £7,500 for an eligible air source heat pump and £7,500 for an eligible ground source heat pump in England and Wales. The grant is fixed, so it does not increase for a larger heat pump or a more expensive installation. The installer applies for the grant and normally deducts it from the quote or invoice, rather than the homeowner receiving the money directly." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does a 6kW heat pump get more BUS funding than a 4kW heat pump?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No. A 6kW eligible heat pump does not receive more BUS funding than a 4kW eligible heat pump. If both systems meet the scheme rules, both can receive the same £7,500 grant. If both are ineligible, such as routine hybrid systems that keep a fossil-fuel boiler in normal use, both would normally receive £0." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Are hybrid heat pumps eligible for the BUS grant?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Hybrid heat pumps that keep a gas, oil or LPG boiler for routine heating are normally not eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. BUS is intended to support a full move to eligible low-carbon heating, not a partial upgrade where the old fossil-fuel boiler remains part of normal operation. If an installer describes a system as hybrid, ask them to confirm in writing whether it is a BUS-eligible full replacement system or a hybrid add-on that would not normally qualify." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Who can apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Eligible applicants can include homeowners, private landlords and owners of some small non-domestic properties in England and Wales. Second homes can also be eligible if the property and installation meet the scheme requirements. The application is made by an MCS-certified installer, and the property owner must give consent during the process." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is the BUS grant available in Scotland or Northern Ireland?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme applies to eligible properties in England and Wales only. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate support arrangements, so property owners outside England and Wales should check the relevant local schemes before planning a heat pump installation." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What type of heating system must a heat pump replace to qualify?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "BUS usually supports the replacement of fossil-fuel or direct-electric heating with an eligible low-carbon heating system. This can include replacing gas, oil, LPG, coal or direct-electric heating with an eligible air source or ground source heat pump. The heat pump must be designed as the main system for space heating and domestic hot water, not simply as a top-up heater or small add-on." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does the installer need to be MCS certified?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. The heat pump must be designed and installed by an MCS-certified installer using eligible equipment and the relevant MCS standards. The installer is responsible for applying for the BUS grant, managing the voucher process and redeeming the grant after installation." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I need an EPC to qualify for BUS?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Most existing homes need a valid Energy Performance Certificate for the property receiving the installation. Since 2024, outstanding loft or cavity wall insulation recommendations no longer automatically block BUS eligibility, but insulation still matters because it affects heat loss, heat pump sizing, radiator requirements, comfort and running costs." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Are new-build homes eligible for the BUS grant?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Most developer-built new homes are not eligible for BUS. Self-build homes can be eligible where the owner commissioned or built the property for their own use and the scheme requirements are met. The details should be checked before relying on the grant, especially where the property is recently completed or has not previously had a conventional heating system." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can flats qualify for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Flats can qualify in some cases, but they often need extra checks before a heat pump project is realistic. Leasehold consent, freeholder permission, planning rules, outdoor unit location, noise limits, balcony restrictions, plant space and hot water cylinder space can all affect whether the installation can proceed and whether the grant can be used." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does heat pump size affect BUS eligibility?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Heat pump size affects technical suitability, but not the grant amount. The correct size should be based on a room-by-room heat loss calculation, hot water demand, radiator or underfloor heating capacity, local design temperature and the building’s insulation level. A 4kW unit may suit a small efficient home, while a 6kW unit may suit some small to medium homes, but neither should be chosen simply because of the grant." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I use the size of my old boiler to choose a heat pump?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No. The size of an old gas or oil boiler is not a reliable guide to heat pump size. Many boilers, especially combi boilers, are much larger than the home’s actual space heating demand because they are also sized for hot water production. Heat pumps are usually designed to run for longer periods at lower flow temperatures, so sizing should come from proper heat loss calculations rather than the boiler rating." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the maximum heat pump size allowed under BUS?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The maximum eligible heat pump system capacity under BUS is 45kWth. This refers to heat output, not electrical input. Most domestic properties are well below this limit, but it can matter for larger homes and some small non-domestic buildings." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How is the BUS grant paid?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The grant is paid to the installer, not directly to the homeowner as cash. The installer applies for the voucher, the property owner gives consent, and the installer should show the BUS deduction on the quote or invoice. Homeowners should check that the quote clearly shows the full cost, the grant deduction, what is included, what is excluded and any VAT treatment." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I apply for BUS after the heat pump has already been installed?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "You should not assume you can claim BUS after installation. The normal process is for the MCS-certified installer to apply for a voucher before the installation is completed, with the property owner confirming consent during the process. If work has already been carried out without the correct voucher process, the grant may not be available." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How long does a BUS voucher last?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "BUS vouchers have a limited validity period and must be redeemed by the installer after the qualifying installation is completed. The exact timescale can depend on the technology and current scheme rules, so ask your installer to confirm the live voucher deadline before you sign. Delays with planning, permissions, grid checks, groundworks or equipment supply can put the voucher at risk if they are not managed early." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What costs remain after the BUS grant?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The remaining cost depends on the full installation scope, not just the heat pump unit. Air source heat pump projects often cost around £8,000 to £18,000 before BUS, while ground source systems are usually higher because of groundworks. After the £7,500 grant, the customer may still need to pay for the remaining installation cost, radiator upgrades, pipework changes, a hot water cylinder, electrical work, planning requirements or other property-specific items." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can the BUS grant be combined with other funding?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "BUS normally cannot be used to cover the same installation cost as another public grant. You may still be able to use personal savings, private finance or other non-conflicting support for the remaining balance, but the funding rules should be checked before signing a contract. Ask the installer to confirm whether any other discount, grant or finance offer affects BUS eligibility." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Will I need new radiators or underfloor heating?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Not always. Many heat pump retrofits work with upgraded radiators rather than underfloor heating. The key issue is whether each room can receive enough heat at the chosen flow temperature. Larger radiators or underfloor heating can help the system run at lower temperatures, which usually improves efficiency, but the right solution depends on the heat loss calculation and the existing heating layout." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I need space for a hot water cylinder?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "If you currently have a combi boiler, you will usually need space for a hot water cylinder when moving to a full heat pump system. The cylinder must be sized for the household’s hot water use and integrated into the system design. Lack of cylinder space can be a practical barrier, especially in flats, small terraces and homes with limited cupboards or loft access." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does a BUS-funded heat pump have to provide hot water?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "In most domestic installations, the heat pump system should be designed to provide both space heating and domestic hot water. This is why many homes replacing a combi boiler need a hot water cylinder. If an installer proposes a system that heats radiators only, or relies heavily on a separate immersion heater for normal hot water, ask them to confirm how it meets the scheme rules and how it will affect running costs." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I need planning permission for a heat pump?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Many air source heat pump installations can fall under permitted development, but this is not automatic. Outdoor unit size, location, distance from boundaries, noise limits, conservation areas, listed buildings, flats and leasehold restrictions can all affect what permission is needed. Ground source systems can also involve groundworks, access and land constraints. Confirm planning and consent requirements before relying on a BUS quote." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What design details should I check before accepting a BUS quote?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Before accepting a quote, ask for a room-by-room heat loss calculation, proposed heat pump output at the relevant outdoor temperature, design flow temperature, radiator schedule, hot water cylinder specification, electrical requirements, outdoor unit location, noise assessment, controls strategy and commissioning plan. The quote should also state whether the old boiler is being removed or retained, whether the system is eligible for BUS, and exactly how the grant has been deducted." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can a heat pump work in an older or poorly insulated home?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "A heat pump can work in many older homes, but the design must account for heat loss honestly. Poor insulation, draughts, leaky floors, exposed walls and undersized radiators can increase the required heat pump size, raise flow temperatures and reduce efficiency. Improving insulation and airtightness before or alongside the installation can improve comfort, reduce running costs and sometimes avoid unnecessary oversizing." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Will a BUS-funded heat pump be cheaper to run than a boiler?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Not always. Running costs depend on the home’s heat demand, electricity tariff, heat pump efficiency, flow temperature, controls and user behaviour. A well-designed system running at low flow temperatures can perform well, but poor design, high heat loss, frequent immersion heater use or badly balanced radiators can make running costs higher than expected. Any estimate should be based on the property’s expected annual heat demand, not generic averages." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What does SCOP mean for heat pump performance?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "SCOP stands for Seasonal Coefficient of Performance. It describes average heat pump efficiency over a heating season. A SCOP of 3 means the heat pump produces about 3kWh of heat for every 1kWh of electricity used. Typical air source heat pump performance in UK homes can vary widely, often around SCOP 2.5 to 4.0 depending on design quality, flow temperature, insulation and controls." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Will I need an electrical upgrade for a heat pump?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Possibly. Many heat pump installations can use the existing electrical supply, but the installer should still check the consumer unit, protective devices, cable routes, earthing, load capacity and whether the Distribution Network Operator needs to be notified or consulted. Extra electrical work can affect cost and timescales, so it should be included clearly in the quote." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does BUS cover biomass boilers?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "BUS includes a separate £5,000 grant for eligible biomass boilers, but this is not the same as the heat pump grant. Biomass support is more restricted and is generally limited to eligible rural properties that are not connected to the gas grid. If you are comparing biomass with a heat pump, check the separate eligibility rules, fuel storage needs, maintenance requirements and local air-quality restrictions." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What mistakes should I avoid when using the BUS grant?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Common mistakes include assuming a larger heat pump receives a larger grant, keeping a fossil-fuel boiler and expecting a hybrid system to qualify, choosing a heat pump size without a heat loss calculation, relying on the old boiler rating, ignoring insulation and draughts, forgetting cylinder space, comparing quotes with different scopes, and accepting a proposal that does not clearly show the BUS deduction or confirm eligibility in writing." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might BUS not be the right route?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "BUS may not be suitable if you want to keep a gas, oil or LPG boiler for routine backup, cannot place an outdoor unit, cannot fit a hot water cylinder, have unresolved leasehold or planning issues, or need extensive upgrades that are outside your budget. It may also be better to address major insulation, draught or building-condition problems before finalising the heat pump design." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What should I ask an installer before relying on the grant?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Ask whether the proposed system is a BUS-eligible full replacement for your existing heating, whether any fossil-fuel boiler remains in routine use, what heat loss calculation has been completed, what flow temperature has been designed for, which radiators or pipework need changing, how hot water will be provided, where the outdoor unit will go, who handles permissions and noise checks, and how the grant will appear on the quote or invoice." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How can I compare two BUS heat pump quotes fairly?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Compare the full installed scope, not just the heat pump size or the final price after grant. Check whether both quotes include radiator upgrades, cylinder work, electrical work, controls, removal of the old boiler, making good, permissions, commissioning, warranties and aftercare. A lower quote may not be better value if it assumes higher flow temperatures, leaves important work excluded or does not clearly confirm BUS eligibility." } } ], "about": { "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk/resources/bus-grant-for-heat-pumps-2026-eligibility-and-7500-subsidy/#content" } }, { "@type": "WebPage", "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk/resources/bus-grant-for-heat-pumps-2026-eligibility-and-7500-subsidy/#webpage-breadcrumb" }, "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk/resources/bus-grant-for-heat-pumps-2026-eligibility-and-7500-subsidy/#webpage", "url": "https://kilowatts.uk/resources/bus-grant-for-heat-pumps-2026-eligibility-and-7500-subsidy/", "encoding": [ { "@type": "MediaObject", "encodingFormat": "text/markdown", "contentUrl": "https://kilowatts.uk/resources/bus-grant-for-heat-pumps-2026-eligibility-and-7500-subsidy.md" }, { "@type": "MediaObject", "encodingFormat": "application/ld+json", "contentUrl": "https://kilowatts.uk/resources/bus-grant-for-heat-pumps-2026-eligibility-and-7500-subsidy.schema" } ], "name": "BUS Grant for Heat Pumps 2026: Eligibility and £7,500 Subsidy", "headline": "BUS Grant for Heat Pumps 2026: Eligibility and £7,500 Subsidy", "description": "UK guide to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump grant: who qualifies, how it works, and what affects the real cost after the grant. 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