ASHP ELIGIBILITY
Boiler Upgrade Scheme Eligibility 2026: Do You Qualify for the Up to £9,000 Grant?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) offers eligible homeowners in England and Wales an up to £9,000 upfront grant towards the cost of installing an air source heat pump.
This guide covers every eligibility criterion clearly, including 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
Princes LHS manages your BUS grant application from eligibility check through to approval.
Up to £9,000 Deducted From Your Invoice
The grant is applied upfront, so you only pay the remaining net cost.
Free Eligibility Check
Find out if your property qualifies in around 10 minutes.
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 qualifying heating system
Gas, oil, LPG, direct electric heating, storage heaters and panel heaters can all qualify.
Your property has a valid EPC
Since May 2024, outstanding insulation recommendations no longer block BUS applications.
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 up to £9,000 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 up to £9,000 while it remains available at this level.
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 up to £9,000 from your installation invoice before you pay a single penny.
01
You confirm eligibility with Princes LHS
We check your EPC, property type, heating system and ownership status during a free 10-minute call.
02
We survey your property
Our MCS-accredited surveyor carries out a heat loss calculation and provides a fixed-price quote with the grant deducted.
03
We submit your BUS application
Princes LHS submits the full application to Ofgem on your behalf.
04
Grant is approved and installation is booked
Once approved, we book your air source heat pump installation.
05
You pay only the net cost
The up to £9,000 grant is deducted from your final invoice.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme Eligibility: Who Qualifies and Who Does Not
Eligible: Qualifies for up to £9,000
- Owner-occupiers in England or Wales
- Landlords with properties in England or Wales
- Properties replacing gas, oil or LPG boilers
- Properties replacing direct electric heating
- Homes with storage heaters or panel heaters
- Properties with no existing wet central heating system, subject to checks
- Existing properties, not newly built
- Properties that have not previously received a BUS grant
- Previous RHI recipients, subject to circumstances
- Self-builds and conversion projects, subject to review
Not Eligible: Does Not Qualify
- Properties in Scotland or Northern Ireland
- Most new build properties
- Properties that have already received a BUS grant
- Renters, where the property owner is not applying
- Commercial properties that are not domestic dwellings
- Properties replacing an existing heat pump
Insulation recommendations shown on an EPC are no longer a barrier to BUS eligibility. Since May 2024, properties do not need to complete loft or cavity wall insulation upgrades before applying.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme EPC Requirements: What You Need to Know
✅ EPC is acceptable for BUS if…
Your EPC is valid within the last 10 years. The EPC rating itself does not determine eligibility, and properties with lower ratings can still qualify.
Since May 2024, loft insulation and cavity wall insulation recommendations no longer need to be completed before applying.
⚠️ EPC needs attention if…
Your EPC has expired. In this case, a new EPC will be required before your BUS application can proceed.
If your EPC includes insulation recommendations, these no longer prevent you from applying, but improving insulation is still recommended.
Princes LHS checks your EPC as the first step of your eligibility call.
How Your Current Heating System Affects BUS Eligibility
| Current Heating System | Eligible for BUS? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gas boiler | Yes | Qualifies for the full grant, provided all other criteria are met. |
| Oil boiler | Yes | Common in rural Shropshire properties and often suitable for ASHP replacement. |
| LPG boiler | Yes | LPG is typically one of the highest-cost fuels to replace. |
| Direct electric heating | Yes | Includes panel heaters and storage heaters. |
| Electric boiler | Yes | Generally treated as an electric heating system under BUS rules. |
| No wet central heating system | Yes, in many cases | Eligibility is confirmed during your free call. |
| Existing air source heat pump | No | BUS grants are not available for replacing an existing heat pump. |
| Biomass boiler | Check | Eligibility depends on the property and application details. |
Boiler Upgrade Scheme Restrictions: Common Disqualifiers Explained
EPC Recommendations
Since May 2024, EPC insulation recommendations no longer need to be completed before applying.
New Build Property
Most new build properties are excluded from the BUS.
Property Not in England or Wales
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme covers England and Wales only.
Check Your Boiler Upgrade Scheme Eligibility With Princes LHS
Our team will confirm your BUS grant eligibility in a free 10-minute call, with no forms, no charge and no obligation.
- We confirm your EPC status
- We check your heating system qualifies
- We confirm you have not previously received a BUS grant
- We give you a realistic timeline for your installation
Most homeowners who enquire are eligible. Over 70% of properties in Shropshire and North Wales meet the BUS criteria.
Who Qualifies?
Up to £9,000 Deducted Upfront
The grant is deducted directly from your air source heat pump installation cost.
We Handle Every Step
Princes LHS manages the full BUS application process.
Over 70% of Local Homes Qualify
Eligibility takes around 10 minutes to confirm.
Samsung Approved
Applied Upfront
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 up to £9,000 is available to eligible homeowners in England and Wales in 2026.
The current grant amount is subject to government review, so homeowners who qualify are encouraged to proceed while the full amount remains available.
Can I apply for the BUS grant if I am a landlord?
Yes. Landlords with eligible domestic properties in England or Wales can apply.
I received RHI payments previously. Can I still apply for the BUS?
Previous RHI recipients may still be eligible, depending on individual circumstances. Princes LHS can check this during your eligibility call.
How long does it take to get the BUS grant approved?
Approval times can vary, but Princes LHS handles the application and keeps you updated throughout the process.
Does the BUS grant cover the full cost of an air source heat pump?
The up to £9,000 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 around £1,000 to £7,500 for most homeowners.
Do I need a new EPC to apply for the BUS grant?
You only need a new EPC if your current EPC has expired.
Do I need to upgrade insulation on my EPC to qualify?
No. Since May 2024, EPC insulation recommendations no longer block BUS eligibility.
Can I qualify if I do not have central heating?
Yes, in many cases. Properties without an existing wet central heating system may still qualify, including homes heated by storage heaters, panel heaters or other direct electric systems.
Are self-builds and conversions eligible?
Self-builds and conversion projects may be eligible, subject to a more detailed application review.
Ready to Confirm Your Up to £9,000 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 up to £9,000 BUS grant, running costs and payback periods.
Is My Home Suitable for an Air Source Heat Pump?
Radiators, insulation, property type and outdoor space, find out if your home is ready for ASHP.