Boiler Upgrade Scheme - What you Need to Know

To help in the collective effort to tackle climate change, the government has officially launched the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

Investing in low-carbon heating solutions is the most effective method of securing an ecologically sustainable future, and this new government scheme will encourage property owners to replace their existing fossil fuel heating with more efficient, low-carbon systems.

Grants for ground and air source heat pumps

Similar to the Green Homes Grant, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is offering a series of fixed grants to homeowners to help them purchase renewable energy heating systems.

The new £450m policy will provide grants of up to £5,000 for homeowners to have air source heat pumps installed, and £6,000 for ground source heat pumps. In total, it’s expected up to 90,000 homes will benefit from the new scheme.

According to the Committee on Climate Change, roughly 14% of the UK’s carbon emissions are generated from domestic heating systems. It’s the government’s hope that the BUS wll be a driving factor towards making low-carbon heating installations mandatory in the UK by 2035—while aiming for its net-zero target of 2050.

What you need to know…

New low-carbon heating systems can be commissioned at any time from 1 April 2022, and grant applications open from 23 May 2022. The scheme will work on a first-come, first-served basis for anyone meeting the eligibility criteria.

Back in March, the government rolled out the following timeline for those applying for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme:

1 April 2022: Low-carbon heating systems that are commissioned on or after this date will be entitled to support under the scheme. Each commissioning includes installation and set up of the system.

11 April 2022: Installers will be able to open an account for the scheme with Ofgem, the scheme administrator.

Applications will begin from 23 May 2022, although quotes are available now providing the commissioning date of your new heating system is on or after 1 April 2022.

Am I eligible for a grant?

The majority of homeowners, small landlords and private landlords in England and Wales will be eligible to apply for grant, but it’s important to note that all applicants must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate(EPC)—in most cases one which has been issued in the last 10 years.

There are some conditions to ensure your EPC is eligible. Firstly, you must have no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation. Unless you have an EPC insulation exemption, you'll be required to insulate your home before applying for the scheme.

Finding the right installer

If you’re successful with your grant application, you’ll need to find an installer that’s been certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). MCS is a nationally-recognised standards organisation that offers quality assurance and signifies a high level of competence of your chosen installer. You’ll be pleased to learn that Evergreen Renewables are fully registered with the MCS and will provide complete peace of mind when it comes to ground source and air source heat pump installation.

How can we help?

If you’d like any advice or guidance regarding the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, or would like to explore the possibility of installing a low-carbon heating system covered by the BUS, then please get in touch. We’d be happy to talk you through the procedure and discuss your options.

Posted on May 12th 2022

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