BUS Grant Eligibility: Do You Qualify for the £7,500 Heat Pump Grant?

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers £7,500 towards a heat pump, but not everyone qualifies. Before you start getting quotes and planning your installation, you need to know whether your property and circumstances meet the eligibility criteria.

This guide covers every requirement in detail, explains the grey areas that catch people out, and tells you what to do if you do not qualify for the BUS grant but still want financial help with a heat pump.

The Quick Eligibility Check

Answer these six questions. If you can answer yes to all of them, you almost certainly qualify:

1. Do you own the property? (Owner-occupier or landlord)
2. Is the property in England or Wales?
3. Do you have a valid EPC?
4. Have you completed any insulation measures recommended on your EPC?
5. Are you replacing an existing fossil fuel heating system?
6. Is the property an existing building (not a new build)?

If you answered no to any of these, keep reading — we explain each requirement in detail and whether there are workarounds.

Requirement 1: You Must Own the Property

Who Qualifies

• Owner-occupiers: Yes — this is the primary target group
• Private landlords: Yes — landlords are eligible under the same terms
• Shared ownership: Yes, if you own at least a share of the property. Contact your housing provider to confirm.

Who Does Not Qualify

• Tenants: Only the property owner can apply. If you rent your home, speak to your landlord about applying.
• Social housing tenants: Social housing providers have access to the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund instead.
• Council housing tenants: Your council may be installing heat pumps through separate government programmes.

What About Leasehold Properties?

Leaseholders can apply if they own the property. However, you may need permission from the freeholder for external alterations (such as placing a heat pump unit outside). Check your lease and speak to your freeholder or management company before proceeding.

Requirement 2: Property Must Be in England or Wales

The BUS grant is funded by the UK Government but only applies to properties in England and Wales.

• England: Eligible for BUS
• Wales: Eligible for BUS (and also the Nest scheme for low-income households)
• Scotland: Not eligible for BUS, but has the Home Energy Scotland scheme offering up to £15,000 in combined grants and loans
• Northern Ireland: Not eligible for BUS. See our Northern Ireland grants guide

If your property is not in England or Wales, do not worry — Scotland's scheme is actually more generous than BUS, and Northern Ireland has its own support programmes.

Requirement 3: You Need a Valid EPC

An Energy Performance Certificate is mandatory. Here is what you need to know:

EPC Basics

• EPCs are valid for 10 years from the date of assessment
• They rate your property from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient)
• They include recommendations for improving energy efficiency
• You can check if you have a valid EPC on the EPC register website

The Insulation Catch

This is the requirement that trips up more applicants than any other. If your EPC recommends loft insulation or cavity wall insulation, you must complete these measures before the BUS grant application can be approved.

There are valid exceptions:

• Your property has solid walls (no cavities to insulate)
• The loft is already adequately insulated
• There is a technical reason why the recommended measure is not suitable
• The recommended measure has been completed since the EPC was issued

If the recommendations genuinely do not apply, your installer can note this in the application. If they do apply, getting the insulation done first is not just a grant requirement — it will also help your heat pump perform better and cost less to run.

Getting a New EPC

If your EPC has expired or you have never had one, book an assessment with an accredited domestic energy assessor. Cost: £60 to £120. Allow one to two weeks for the assessment and certificate.

Requirement 4: Replacing an Existing Fossil Fuel System

The BUS grant is specifically for replacing fossil fuel heating with a heat pump. The following existing systems qualify:

• Gas boiler: Yes
• Oil boiler: Yes
• LPG boiler: Yes
• Electric storage heaters: Yes
• Coal or solid fuel system: Yes

What Does Not Qualify

• Replacing an existing heat pump: If you already have a heat pump and want to upgrade, BUS does not apply
• Adding a heat pump as a secondary system: The heat pump must be the primary heating system
• Properties with no existing heating system: There must be a fossil fuel system being replaced

Requirement 5: Not a New Build

New-build properties are excluded from the BUS grant. The government expects new builds to include low-carbon heating systems as standard under updated Building Regulations.

What Counts as a New Build?

Generally, properties that have not yet been occupied or that were completed very recently. If you bought a property off-plan and it was built with a gas boiler, you may still be able to claim the BUS grant, but this is a grey area — discuss it with your installer and potentially with Ofgem.

Self-build properties can be a grey area too. If you are building a new home and want a heat pump, you may not be eligible for BUS. However, if you bought an existing older property and are renovating it extensively, you are more likely to qualify.

Requirement 6: MCS-Certified Installer

The heat pump must be installed by an MCS-certified installer. This is non-negotiable and there are no exceptions.

Why MCS Certification Matters

• MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) ensures installers are properly trained and qualified
• MCS-certified installations come with a quality guarantee
• The installer has been assessed on their ability to design, install, and commission heat pump systems
• It protects you as the consumer

You can verify an installer's MCS certification on the MCS website. If an installer claims to be MCS-certified, always check. Use our free quote service to connect with verified MCS-certified installers.

Special Circumstances

Listed Buildings

Listed buildings are eligible for the BUS grant. However, you may need listed building consent for external changes like placing a heat pump unit outside. Contact your local planning authority to check requirements. Heat pump noise and visual impact can be considerations for listed properties.

Park Homes and Mobile Homes

Park homes can qualify for the BUS grant if they meet the other eligibility criteria. They must have a valid EPC and be replacing an existing fossil fuel system.

Flats and Apartments

Individual flats can qualify, but practical considerations apply. You need somewhere to place the outdoor unit and may need permission from the freeholder or management company. Air source heat pumps need adequate outdoor space.

Mixed-Use Properties

If your property has a residential section and a commercial section (for example, a flat above a shop), the residential portion may be eligible. The BUS grant is for domestic properties, not commercial ones.

What If You Do Not Qualify for BUS?

If you fall short of BUS eligibility, other options exist:

• ECO4 scheme: If you are on a low income or receive certain benefits, you may qualify for fully funded installation through ECO4
• Scotland: Home Energy Scotland has different criteria from BUS
• Wales: The Nest scheme targets low-income and vulnerable households
• Local authority schemes: Check with your local council for area-specific funding
• Green finance products: Several lenders offer specific loans for heat pump installations

See our complete UK grants guide for every available scheme.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can tenants apply for the BUS grant?

No. Only property owners (owner-occupiers or landlords) can apply. If you are a tenant, ask your landlord to apply.

Does my property need a minimum EPC rating?

No. There is no minimum EPC rating required. However, any EPC recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation must be addressed before the grant is approved.

Can I get the BUS grant if I already have a heat pump?

No. The grant is for replacing fossil fuel heating systems. If you already have a heat pump, you are not eligible.

Is there a property value cap for the BUS grant?

No. There is no upper limit on property value for the BUS grant. Whether your home is worth £100,000 or £1,000,000, the same eligibility criteria apply.

Can I get the BUS grant for a second home?

Yes, provided the property meets all other eligibility criteria. The grant is per property, not per person.

What if my EPC has expired?

You will need a new EPC assessment. This costs £60 to £120 and takes one to two weeks. Your installer may be able to recommend an accredited assessor.

Can I combine the BUS grant with other schemes?

You can combine BUS with local authority top-up grants but not with ECO4 for the same installation. See our grants overview for details on combining schemes.

Do I need planning permission for a heat pump?

Most air source heat pumps are permitted development and do not need planning permission. However, there are conditions around noise levels and placement. Check with your local authority if you are unsure.

Think you qualify? Get free quotes from MCS-certified installers who will confirm your eligibility and handle the application. Use our calculator to estimate costs after the grant, or read the full BUS grant guide for everything you need to know. You can also check if a heat pump makes financial sense for your home.