Everything you need to know about the Boiler Upgrade Scheme — what it covers, who may be eligible, how much the grant is worth and how to apply through a local installer.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is one of the most significant government incentives available to homeowners looking to switch from fossil fuel heating to a low-carbon alternative. For homeowners in Birmingham and the West Midlands, it can make the transition to a heat pump considerably more affordable.
This guide explains what the scheme covers, who may be eligible and how the application process works.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a government-backed programme available in England and Wales. It provides grants towards the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems — such as gas boilers, oil boilers or LPG systems — with low-carbon heating alternatives, primarily air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps.
The scheme is administered by Ofgem and the grant is applied by the installer (such as Eco Simply), meaning the discount is taken off your installation cost directly. You do not need to apply to Ofgem yourself or claim the money back afterwards.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme currently offers:
This grant can significantly reduce the upfront cost of switching to a heat pump. For many Birmingham homeowners, the net cost after the grant can be comparable to a premium gas boiler installation — but with much lower running costs and carbon emissions over the lifetime of the system.
To be eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you generally need to meet the following criteria:
The scheme is not means-tested — your household income does not affect eligibility. However, there are property-specific requirements that our team checks during the home energy assessment.
The process is designed to be straightforward for the homeowner:
You do not need to deal with Ofgem directly or pay the full cost upfront. The grant is deducted from your invoice.
It is worth understanding what the Boiler Upgrade Scheme does not include:
You cannot combine the Boiler Upgrade Scheme with other government energy obligation schemes for the same measure. However, you may be able to access separate support for improvements such as insulation alongside a BUS-funded heat pump. 0% VAT may also apply to the installation, further reducing costs.
For homeowners in Birmingham and the West Midlands with an ageing gas boiler or oil heating system, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme makes the financial case for a heat pump significantly stronger. The £7,500 grant can reduce the payback period considerably, and once installed, a heat pump provides low-carbon heating and hot water with lower long-term running costs than fossil fuel alternatives.
Combined with solar PV and battery storage, you can create a highly efficient home energy system that runs largely on self-generated renewable electricity.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme has a fixed budget. While the scheme is currently open, grant availability and eligibility criteria can change. If you are considering a heat pump, it is worth checking your eligibility sooner rather than later to avoid missing out.
You pay only the balance after the grant has been deducted. We show the grant clearly on your quote so you know exactly what you will pay.
From initial enquiry to installation, the process typically takes a few weeks. The grant application itself is usually processed within a few working days once submitted.
The installer must be MCS-certified. Eco Simply handles the entire process — assessment, grant application and installation — so you do not need to coordinate between different parties.
Eco Simply can check whether you qualify and handle the entire application process.
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