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Boiler Upgrade Scheme: current 2026 amounts and rules

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The Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives an upfront voucher towards eligible low-carbon heating in England and Wales. An MCS-certified installer checks the property, quotes with the voucher deducted and applies to Ofgem. It is not a free-boiler scheme.

Current voucher amounts

Air-to-water or ground-source heat pump
£7,500
Eligible off-gas heat pump
£9,000
Oil/LPG heating, no mains-gas connection; 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027
Air-to-air heat pump
£2,500
Residential applications; separate conditions apply
Biomass boiler
£5,000
Separate rural and off-gas conditions apply
EPC rule changed

A valid EPC is no longer required for applications made from 28 April 2026. Other property and technology rules still apply.

How it works

  1. Contact an MCS installer — the property owner requests a technical assessment and quote
  2. Installer checks and applies — the installer applies to Ofgem if the project meets the rules
  3. Confirm the balance — the property owner pays any amount not covered by the voucher

Frequently asked questions

Does the scheme pay the whole installation cost?

Not necessarily. The voucher is deducted from the installer’s quote and the property owner pays any remaining cost.

Is an EPC still required?

No valid EPC is required for applications made from 28 April 2026, according to current Ofgem guidance.

Who applies?

An MCS-certified installer applies on behalf of the property owner.

Check whether BUS is a potential route

The final decision requires an MCS installer and the official Ofgem process.

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