Boiler Upgrade Scheme Eligibility 2026: Do You Qualify for the £7,500 Grant?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) offers eligible homeowners in England and Wales a £7,500 upfront grant toward the cost of installing an air source heat pump. This guide covers every eligibility criterion clearly — property type, EPC requirements, heating system, landlord rules and how Princes LHS handles the entire application on your behalf as your approved MCS accredited BUS installer in Shropshire.
- Approved BUS Installer
- We Handle Your Entire Application
- £7,500 Deducted From Your Invoice
How Suitable Is the Typical Shropshire Home?
Based on properties surveyed by Princes LHS across Shropshire and North Wales.
You own your property
Owner-occupiers and landlords in England or Wales both qualify.
You have a fossil fuel or electric heating system
Gas boiler, oil boiler, LPG boiler or electric heating — all qualify.
Your EPC has no outstanding insulation recommendations
No loft or cavity wall insulation recommendations listed on your EPC.
You have not previously received a BUS grant
One grant per property. Previous RHI recipients may still be eligible.
Your property is not a new build
New builds do not qualify. Existing properties only.
Tick all five? You most likely qualify. Confirm your eligibility free with our team.
The £7,500 BUS grant is available now but subject to government review
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is funded by the UK Government and the current grant amount is not guaranteed indefinitely. Homeowners who confirm eligibility and proceed now secure the full £7,500 while it remains available at this level.
About the Scheme
What Is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and How Does It Work?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a UK Government initiative designed to help homeowners in England and Wales replace fossil fuel heating systems with low-carbon alternatives such as air source heat pumps. The scheme is administered by Ofgem and delivered through MCS accredited installers like Princes LHS. Unlike previous government energy schemes, the BUS grant is paid directly to your installer, not to you. This means Princes LHS deducts the full £7,500 from your installation invoice before you pay a single penny. There is no cashback process, no lengthy waiting period and no complicated claims to manage. The grant is applied upfront, and the net cost of your ASHP installation is reduced from day one.
01
You confirm eligibility with Princes LHS
We check your EPC, property type, heating system and ownership status during a free 10-minute call. No forms to fill in, no charge, no obligation.
02
We survey your property and provide a fixed-price quote
One of our MCS accredited surveyors visits your Shropshire or North Wales property, carries out a heat loss calculation and provides a fixed-price quote with the £7,500 already deducted. See our full cost guide for typical figures.
03
We submit your BUS grant application to Ofgem
As your approved BUS installer, Princes LHS submits the full application to Ofgem on your behalf. You sign the relevant consent documents and we handle everything else.
04
Grant is approved and installation is booked
Once your grant is approved, we book your air source heat pump installation in Shropshire. Our in-house engineers typically complete the installation within 30 days of grant approval.
05
You pay only the net cost after the £7,500 grant
The £7,500 BUS grant is deducted from your final invoice. You pay only the remaining balance. MCS certification, building regulations notification and all documentation are provided as part of the installation.
Eligibility Criteria
Boiler Upgrade Scheme Eligibility: Who Qualifies and Who Does Not
The criteria below are set by Ofgem and apply across England and Wales. Princes LHS confirms your eligibility during your free initial call before any survey or commitment to proceed.
Eligible Qualifies for £7,500
- Owner-occupiers in England or Wales
- Landlords with properties in England or Wales
- Properties with a gas boiler being replaced
- Properties with an oil boiler being replaced
- Properties with an LPG boiler being replaced
- Properties with direct electric heating being replaced
- Valid EPC with no outstanding loft or cavity wall insulation recommendations
- Existing properties (not newly built)
- Properties that have not previously received a BUS grant
- Previous RHI recipients (may still qualify — we check your specific circumstances)
Not Eligible Does Not Qualify
- Properties in Scotland or Northern Ireland (separate schemes apply)
- New build properties
- Properties that have already received a BUS grant
- Renters (the property owner must be the applicant)
- Properties where the EPC lists outstanding loft or cavity wall insulation recommendations that have not been addressed
- Commercial properties
- Properties replacing an existing heat pump
Not sure about your EPC? This is the most common eligibility question we receive. If your EPC lists loft or cavity wall insulation as a recommendation, it does not automatically mean you cannot claim the grant — it means those works need to be completed first. Princes LHS will check your EPC and advise you on the quickest route to eligibility during your free call.
EPC Requirements
Boiler Upgrade Scheme EPC Requirements: What You Need to Know
Your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is one of the key documents reviewed as part of your Boiler Upgrade Scheme application. Understanding what Ofgem looks for helps avoid delays to your grant approval.
✅ EPC is acceptable for BUS if...
Your EPC is valid (within the last 10 years) and does not list loft insulation or cavity wall insulation as a recommendation.
The EPC rating itself (A through G) does not determine eligibility. A property with an E or F rating can still qualify, provided the insulation recommendations have been addressed or are not applicable.
If your property has solid walls, cavity wall insulation may not be listed as a recommendation at all, which typically means your EPC is acceptable as-is.
⚠️ EPC needs attention if...
Your EPC lists loft insulation or cavity wall insulation as a current recommendation. This means these works must be completed and evidenced before your BUS application can be submitted.
In most cases, loft insulation is a relatively low-cost improvement that can be completed quickly. Cavity wall insulation costs vary by property and may require a survey. Princes LHS advises on the fastest and most cost-effective route during your free eligibility call.
If your EPC has expired, a new EPC will be needed. We can advise on accredited local EPC assessors in Shropshire and North Wales.
Princes LHS checks your EPC as the very first step of your eligibility call. If there are recommendations to address, we tell you clearly what needs doing and how long it will take — before you commit to anything. Start your free eligibility check here.
Heating System Eligibility
How Your Insulation Level Affects ASHP Performance and Running Costs
The BUS grant is specifically for replacing fossil fuel and electric heating systems with an air source heat pump in Shropshire or equivalent low-carbon alternative. The table below confirms eligibility by current heating type.
| Current Heating System | Eligible for BUS? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gas boiler (mains gas) | Yes | Qualifies for the full £7,500 grant provided all other eligibility criteria are met. |
| Oil boiler | Yes | Qualifies. Rural Shropshire properties on oil typically see the greatest annual running cost saving after switching to ASHP. |
| LPG boiler | Yes | Qualifies. LPG running costs are high and closely linked to international energy prices. Switching to ASHP removes this exposure. |
| Direct electric heating | Yes | Qualifies. Electric panel heaters and storage heaters are included. An ASHP delivers 3 units of heat per 1 unit of electricity used. |
| Electric boiler | Yes | Qualifies. Electric boilers are treated the same as direct electric heating under BUS rules. |
| Existing air source heat pump | No | BUS grants are not available for replacing an existing heat pump with a new model. |
| Biomass boiler | Check | Biomass boilers are generally not eligible under the current BUS rules. Contact us to discuss your specific circumstances. |
| No central heating system | Check | Properties without any existing central heating system may still be eligible. We confirm on a case-by-case basis during your free call. |
Important Restrictions
Boiler Upgrade Scheme Restrictions: Common Disqualifiers Explained
Understanding what disqualifies a property helps avoid wasted time. The most common reasons a BUS application is declined are listed below, along with what can be done in each case.
Outstanding EPC Recommendations
Loft or cavity wall insulation listed on your EPC as a current recommendation must be addressed before your application can proceed. In most cases this is a manageable task. We advise on cost-effective solutions during your eligibility call.
New Build Property
Properties built recently are excluded from the BUS, as they are expected to meet the Future Homes Standard and use low-carbon heating from the outset. If you are building a new property, speak to us about ASHP installation without the BUS grant.
Property Not in England or Wales
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme covers England and Wales only. Scotland operates a separate scheme called the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan. Northern Ireland has its own arrangements. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.
Check Your Boiler Upgrade Scheme Eligibility With Princes LHS
Our team will confirm your BUS grant eligibility in a free 10-minute call — no forms, no charge, no obligation. If you qualify, we book a free home survey and provide a fixed-price quote with the £7,500 already deducted.
- We confirm your EPC status and whether any insulation work is needed
- We check your heating system qualifies under current BUS rules
- We confirm you have not previously received a BUS grant
- We give you a realistic timeline for your Shropshire or North Wales installation
Not sure whether you qualify? Most homeowners who enquire are eligible. Over 70% of properties in Shropshire and North Wales meet the BUS criteria. The quickest way to find out is to fill in the form and we will call you back.
Start Your Free BUS Eligibility Check
We will call you back within one working day to confirm your eligibility and next steps.
⚡ £7,500 grant available now — subject to government review
Your Questions Answered
Boiler Upgrade Scheme Eligibility FAQs: Shropshire and North Wales
Is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme still available in 2026?
Yes. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant of £7,500 is available to eligible homeowners in England and Wales in 2026. The scheme is administered by Ofgem and funded by the UK Government. The current grant amount is subject to government review, so homeowners who qualify are encouraged to proceed whilst the full £7,500 remains available. Check your eligibility with Princes LHS free of charge.
Can I apply for the BUS grant if I am a landlord?
Yes. Landlords in England and Wales can apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme provided the property meets the eligibility criteria — valid EPC with no outstanding insulation recommendations, fossil fuel or electric heating being replaced and no previous BUS grant received for that property. The application is made in the landlord’s name as the property owner.
I received RHI payments previously. Can I still apply for the BUS?
In many cases, yes. Previous recipients of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) may still be eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, depending on your specific circumstances and the system currently installed. Princes LHS will check your eligibility during your free call and confirm whether your situation qualifies under the current BUS rules.
How long does it take to get the BUS grant approved? ▾
Ofgem typically processes BUS applications within a few weeks of submission by your approved installer. Princes LHS submits your application after your home survey and once you have agreed your fixed-price quote. We manage the submission and notify you once approval is confirmed. From first enquiry to completed installation, the typical timeline for Shropshire and North Wales properties is six to twelve weeks depending on survey availability and system specification.
Does the BUS grant cover the full cost of an air source heat pump? ▾
The £7,500 BUS grant significantly reduces the cost but does not typically cover the full installation. Total air source heat pump installation costs in Shropshire typically range from £10,000 to £15,000 before the grant, leaving a net cost of £3,000 to £7,500 for most homeowners. Princes LHS also offers finance options for eligible customers to spread the remaining net cost. Ask our team for details when you enquire.
Do I need a new EPC to apply for the BUS grant?
Not necessarily. If your property already has a valid EPC (issued within the last 10 years) and it does not list loft or cavity wall insulation as outstanding recommendations, your existing certificate is acceptable. If it does list these recommendations, they must be addressed and evidenced before your BUS application can be submitted. Princes LHS checks your EPC status during your free eligibility call at no charge.
Ready to Confirm Your £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme Eligibility?
Princes LHS are an approved BUS installer covering Shropshire, North Wales, Oswestry, Wrexham, Shrewsbury and Chester. Your eligibility check is free, takes 10 minutes and carries no obligation to proceed.
Related Guides From Princes LHS
Air Source Heat Pump Installation in Shropshire
Full overview of our MCS accredited ASHP service, the BUS grant process and why Princes LHS are Shropshire's most trusted installers.
Air Source Heat Pump Cost Shropshire 2026
Full cost breakdown including the £7,500 BUS grant, running costs vs oil and gas boilers, and payback periods for Shropshire properties.
Is My Home Suitable for an Air Source Heat Pump?
Radiators, insulation, property type and outdoor space — find out if your Shropshire or North Wales property is ready for ASHP.
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