The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is designed to help homeowners across the country transition to zero-carbon domestic heating, but don’t be left waiting at the side of the road.

A Greener Way to Heat our Homes

The UK’s homes are overwhelmingly heated by systems which produce carbon emissions at the point of use. Mains gas, oil and LPG systems all give off carbon dioxide. In fact, 20% of the UK’s carbon emissions are created just by heating buildings. With a national target of achieving carbon net zero by 2050, a transition towards a greener way of keeping warm is needed.

Heat pumps are a key part of the zero-carbon heating transition. They work by utilising electricity to extract heat from the air or ground and use this warm water in radiators and underfloor heating systems. Using electricity to generate heat becomes more carbon friendly as the UK’s energy market goes increasingly green.

Electricity from renewable sources accounted for 39% of UK domestic power generation in 2021, and the UK government recently announced a target of achieving 100% of domestic energy generation from renewable sources (including nuclear) by 2035. A mass deployment of heat pumps, combined with an entirely renewable electricity supply would enable the UK to make significant progress towards decarbonising heat.

The UK Government has recognised the significance of Heat Pumps in their long-awaited Heat and Buildings Strategy, with the announcement of a £450m in funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). The BUS allows homeowners to benefit from grants of £5,000 towards the installation of an air source heat pump, or £6,000 towards a ground source heat pump. The scheme opened for applications on Monday 23 May and will run for a total of three years.

How does the scheme work?

The BUS has been designed as an ‘installer-led’ scheme to minimise the amount of work property owners need to do to benefit. Your installer, who must be certified by the Microgeneration Certification Service (MCS) and registered themselves with the BUS scheme will;

• Make the application to the BUS scheme on your behalf

• Communicate with Ofgem, the administrators of the scheme, on most matters relating to your application

• Tell Ofgem when your heat pump has been installed and commissioned

• Claim the funding from Ofgem at the end of the project

The value of the grant will be deducted from your quote up front, and your installer is responsible for passing on the discount that the grant provides to you. There are certain conditions that your property will need to meet to be eligible for the scheme, which an installer will discuss with you at the point of making your initial enquiry, however the scheme is widely available to a range of property types.

Why you should act quickly

The BUS represents an opportunity to make a significant reduction in the overall cost of installing a heat pump at your property. This effect is compounded by 0% VAT rate on the installation of energy-saving materials, which came into effect on 1 April 2022 and continues until 31 March 2027.

Meanwhile, the present cost of living crisis has prompted homeowners to consider how longer-term investments in their property can shield them from future marketplace shocks. Heat pumps have already proved to be a popular choice with many due to their staggeringly efficient performance. Modern devices will typically produce between 3-4 units of heat for every unit of electricity they consume, making them between 300-400% efficient.

How to Get Started

If you’d like to benefit from the BUS, your first step is to contact an MCS-certified installer, who will work with you to identify the right heat pump system for your home, apply for the grant funding on your behalf and install your system. Look for a well-established contractor with high customer satisfaction scores and a demonstrable track-record of top-quality aftercare.

Caplor Energy have a five-star Trustpilot rating and are approved by leading heat pump manufacturers. As a family business with the core values of inspirational sustainable improvement at their heart, their friendly, enthusiastic team have a proven track record of successful installations across a wide range of domestic and commercial properties, and pride themselves on their professional approach to developments large and small.