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Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS): Heat Pump Vouchers Explained
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) offers grants of up to £7,500 towards replacing your gas or oil boiler with a heat pump. While it doesn't directly fund solar panels, BUS is highly relevant if you're planning a home energy upgrade because solar and heat pumps work exceptionally well together.
What Is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
BUS launched in April 2022 and runs until 2028 in England and Wales. It is well-funded and active, with a £295 million budget confirmed for 2025–26. It provides upfront grants to help homeowners replace fossil fuel heating systems with low-carbon alternatives.
Grant amounts:
- Air source heat pump: £7,500
- Ground source heat pump: £7,500
- Air-to-air heat pump: £2,500 (newly introduced)
- Heat battery: £2,500 (newly introduced)
- Biomass boiler (in limited rural cases): £5,000
These amounts are deducted from your quote upfront — you never pay the full price and then claim back.
New Grants for Air-to-Air and Heat Batteries
Two new product categories were added to BUS in 2026. Air-to-air heat pumps, which provide heating and cooling without wet radiator systems, now attract a £2,500 grant. Heat batteries — thermal storage units that work similarly to a hot water cylinder but store heat more efficiently — also now qualify for £2,500. If you were considering either of these, the BUS grant now applies.
Who Qualifies?
The eligibility criteria are refreshingly simple compared to some other schemes:
- You must own your property (or be a landlord of a property you let)
- The property must be in England or Wales
- You must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) — any rating
- The property must currently use fossil fuel heating (gas boiler, oil boiler, LPG, electric, or coal)
- You must not have previously received a BUS voucher for that property
- The heat pump must be installed by an MCS-certified installer
There is no means-testing. Your income and benefits status don't matter. This is available to everyone who meets the above criteria.
The EPC requirement has also been relaxed. Previously, properties with recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation on their EPC could face delays or complications. This is no longer a strict barrier at application — installers work with you to address any outstanding recommendations as part of the process.
Get Your EPC First
You need a valid EPC to apply for BUS. Check if you have one at find-energy-certificate.service.gov.uk. If not, an energy assessor can produce one for around £60–100. Your BUS installer may also arrange this. The EPC rating itself does not affect eligibility — any band qualifies.
Why BUS Matters for Solar
BUS doesn't fund solar panels, so why is it in this guide? Because combining solar PV with a heat pump creates one of the most effective home energy systems available:
How Solar Powers Your Heat Pump
A heat pump runs on electricity. A typical air source heat pump uses 3,000–5,000kWh of electricity per year to heat a well-insulated home. A 4kW solar array generates 3,200–4,000kWh per year.
During spring, summer, and autumn, your solar panels can provide a significant portion of the electricity your heat pump needs. In winter, when the heat pump works hardest, solar generation is lower — but it still contributes, especially on bright cold days.
The Combined Savings
Consider this real-world comparison for a typical 3-bed semi:
| Scenario | Annual Heating Cost | Annual Electricity Cost | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas boiler, no solar | £900 | £900 | £1,800 |
| Heat pump, no solar | £650 | £900 | £1,550 |
| Gas boiler + solar | £900 | £450 | £1,350 |
| Heat pump + solar | £350 | £450 | £800 |
The heat pump plus solar combination can halve your total energy costs compared to a standard gas boiler setup.
Installation Timing
If you're planning both solar and a heat pump, the ideal approach is:
- Install solar panels first (or simultaneously)
- Install the heat pump
- Add battery storage if budget allows
This way, the heat pump can use solar electricity from day one. However, there's no wrong order — installing them in any sequence still delivers benefits.
How to Apply for BUS
The process is installer-led:
- Get quotes from MCS-certified heat pump installers — At least three quotes is advisable
- Choose an installer — They'll assess your property and recommend the right heat pump size
- Installer applies for the BUS voucher on your behalf through the Ofgem portal
- Voucher issued — Usually within 2–4 weeks
- Installation completed — Must happen within 3 months of voucher issue (extensions possible)
- You pay the installer the net amount — Total cost minus the £7,500 grant
Example: Heat pump system quoted at £12,000. BUS grant of £7,500 is deducted. You pay £4,500.
MCS Certification Is Essential
Your heat pump installer must be MCS-certified. If they're not, you cannot access the BUS grant. Check certification at mcscertified.com before proceeding. This is the same certification standard required for solar panel installations and Smart Export Guarantee access.
BUS and Solar: Practical Considerations
Electrical Capacity
Both solar panels and a heat pump connect to your home's electrical system. If you're installing both, your installer needs to ensure your consumer unit and supply can handle the combined load. This may require an upgrade to your distribution board, which should be included in the installation cost.
DNO Notification
Installing a heat pump alongside solar may trigger a G98 or G99 notification to your Distribution Network Operator. Your installer should handle this, but be aware it can sometimes delay installation by a few weeks.
Heat Pump Sizing with Solar
If you have solar panels, a slightly smaller heat pump may suffice because solar pre-heats your home and hot water during the day. Discuss this with your heat pump installer — oversizing the heat pump wastes money and can actually reduce efficiency.
Costs After BUS Grant
Typical costs for a heat pump installation after the BUS grant:
| System | Total Cost | BUS Grant | You Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air source heat pump (average home) | £10,000–14,000 | £7,500 | £2,500–6,500 |
| Ground source heat pump | £20,000–35,000 | £7,500 | £12,500–27,500 |
Air source heat pumps are the most popular choice, and with the BUS grant, the net cost can be comparable to replacing a gas boiler with another gas boiler.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
BUS is available in England and Wales only. If you're in Scotland, the equivalent support comes through Home Energy Scotland loans and grants. Northern Ireland has separate schemes administered by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
Should You Get Solar, a Heat Pump, or Both?
If budget allows, both is the ideal answer. But if you can only do one:
- Solar first if you want to reduce electricity bills immediately with lower upfront cost
- Heat pump first if your gas boiler is failing and you need a new heating system anyway
- Both together if you can afford the combined investment (the savings are greatest when they work together)
If you're pairing a heat pump with solar, here are the panels most commonly installed alongside BUS-funded systems:
LONGi Hi-MO X6 450W
£85450
23
1722 x 1134 x 30
21.3
Affiliate link — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you
And a battery to store solar energy for powering the heat pump in the evening:
JA Solar JAM54D41 450W N-type TOPCon
£82450
22.8
1722 x 1134 x 30
21.5
Affiliate link — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you
Heatable
Award-winning serviceThe UK's fastest boiler installation service — from quote to fitted in as little as 24 hours. Award-winning, Trustpilot rated, with no pushy salesmen.
Get a boiler quote in 2 minutesAffiliate link — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you
Either way, 0% VAT applies to both solar and heat pump installations, stacking on top of the BUS grant for heat pumps.
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