Question 1

How much is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant in 2026?

Accepted Answer

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) offers £7,500 towards an air source heat pump or ground source heat pump. The grant is paid directly to your MCS-certified installer, so it comes straight off your invoice. You never handle the money yourself.

Question 2

Can I get a heat pump for free?

Accepted Answer

Potentially, yes. If you're on qualifying benefits and your home has an EPC rating of D or below, the ECO4 scheme can cover up to 100% of heat pump costs. Even without ECO4, the £7,500 BUS grant brings many installations down to £2,000–£5,000 out of pocket. Some local authority schemes offer additional top-up funding.

Question 3

Do I need an EPC to apply for a grant?

Accepted Answer

Not for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. That requirement was dropped, and gov.uk's eligibility page now asks only that you own the property and are replacing a fossil fuel system. It even says you're still eligible if you've already had funding to insulate. Other schemes are different: ECO4 and the Warm Homes: Local Grant both look at your EPC band, so it's still worth having one. An assessor charges around £60–£100.

Question 4

Can I combine multiple energy grants?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in most cases. You can't use BUS and ECO4 on the same measure (you can't get both for a heat pump), but you can insulate through ECO4 or the Warm Homes: Local Grant and then use BUS for the heat pump. The Great British Insulation Scheme is no longer an option, it closed on 31 March 2026. In Scotland, Home Energy Scotland grants can be combined with other schemes. Check each scheme's rules, as they do vary.

Question 5

Am I eligible for ECO4?

Accepted Answer

ECO4 is aimed at low-income and fuel-poor households. You'll typically qualify if you receive benefits like Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or Child Tax Credit, and your home has an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G. Some households in deprived areas can qualify through the LA Flex route even without qualifying benefits. Ask your local council.

Question 6

Are energy grants available for private renters?

Accepted Answer

Yes. ECO4 is available to private renters, but your landlord needs to give written consent for the work. The Great British Insulation Scheme used to be the other route and closed on 31 March 2026, so check whether your council runs a Warm Homes: Local Grant instead. The BUS grant is trickier: gov.uk lets an owner apply for a property they rent out, so it has to come from your landlord rather than you. If you're renting, start by asking them.

Question 7

How long does it take to get a grant approved?

Accepted Answer

The BUS grant typically takes 3–4 weeks from your installer submitting the application to receiving a voucher. Once issued, the voucher lasts three months for an air source heat pump or biomass boiler and six for ground source (BUS Regulations 2022, reg 15). Going the other way, Ofgem won't accept an application for a system commissioned more than 120 days earlier, so a job finished last year can't be claimed for now. ECO4 timelines vary depending on your energy supplier and local delivery partner, so expect 4–12 weeks from initial enquiry to installation.

Question 8

Will the Boiler Upgrade Scheme be extended beyond 2030?

Accepted Answer

The BUS is funded until March 2030 (extended from March 2028 in April 2026), with the government targeting 600,000 heat pump installations per year. A further extension or replacement scheme is plausible given that ongoing political direction, but isn't yet confirmed. If you're considering a heat pump, applying while the £7,500 grant is locked in is the safest approach.

UK Energy Grants & Funding 2026

Available Grants

Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)

Energy Company Obligation (ECO4)

Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS), now closed

Home Energy Scotland

Nest Scheme (Wales)

Green Homes Wales

Grants by Nation

Heat Pump Grants Scotland 2026

Heat Pump Grants Wales 2026

Heat Pump Grants Northern Ireland 2026

Solar Panel Grants Scotland 2026

Solar Panel Grants Wales 2026

Free Insulation Grants Scotland 2026

Free Insulation Grants Wales 2026

Insulation Grants Northern Ireland 2026

Grant Guides

Boiler Upgrade Scheme 2026: Complete Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions About Energy Grants