The current BUS grant offers £7,500 off an air source heat pump until at least March 2027
Homeowners considering a heat pump often ask how long the government’s financial support will remain available. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is the primary grant for air source and ground source heat pumps in England and Wales.
The BUS grant lasts until 31 March 2027, offering £7,500 off an air source or ground source heat pump. No further increases have been announced for 2026, so act before the deadline to secure the full amount.
- The BUS grant is confirmed until 31 March 2027.
- Air source heat pumps receive £7,500 off installation costs.
- Ground source heat pumps also qualify for the £7,500 grant.
- Only existing dwellings are eligible, not new builds.
- No further grant increases have been announced for 2026.
- The current BUS grant offers £7,500 off an air source heat pump until at least March 2027
- The BUS grant was initially £5,000 before being raised to £7,500 in late 2023
- Quick numbers current BUS grant amounts, deadlines, and eligibility limits
- The grant is limited to one per household and does not cover all installation costs
- You must use an MCS-certified installer to qualify for the BUS grant
- The BUS grant is the direct answer to "how long will the bus grant last" — it runs until 31 March 2027
- Eligibility requires an existing boiler system and a valid Energy Performance Certificate
The BUS provides a flat-rate grant of £7,500 for both air source and ground source heat pumps, and is confirmed until 31 March 2027 under current Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) guidance. This £7,500 figure is the amount most homeowners search for and applies to a single property per application.
Source: DESNZ, Boiler Upgrade Scheme: guidance for homeowners (GOV.UK, updated 2026).
The BUS grant was initially £5,000 before being raised to £7,500 in late 2023
The scheme launched in May 2022 with a £5,000 grant for air source heat pumps. In October 2023, the government increased this to £7,500 as part of its “Powering Up Britain” strategy, designed to accelerate heat pump adoption across the country.
No further increases have been announced for 2026, and the £7,500 level is currently fixed. The ground source heat pump grant was also raised to match the air source amount, making both technologies equally subsidised under the scheme.
Source: DESNZ, Boiler Upgrade Scheme: overview (GOV.UK, 2023–2026).
Quick numbers current BUS grant amounts, deadlines, and eligibility limits
| Grant type | Amount | Annual cap | End date | Property eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air source heat pump | £7,500 | No per-property cap | 31 March 2027 | Existing dwellings only, not new builds |
| Ground source heat pump | £7,500 | No per-property cap | 31 March 2027 | Existing dwellings only, not new builds |
| Biomass boiler | £5,000 (only in rural areas without gas grid) | No per-property cap | 31 March 2027 | Existing dwellings only, not new builds |
| Self-build or new build | Not eligible | N/A | N/A | Not eligible |
Source: DESNZ, Boiler Upgrade Scheme: eligibility and how to apply (GOV.UK, 2026).
The grant is limited to one per household and does not cover all installation costs
The BUS grant is a one-off payment per property and you cannot claim it again for the same home, even if you replace the heat pump later. Average installation costs for an air source heat pump in 2026 range from £7,000 to £13,000, meaning the grant typically covers 50–100% of the total cost depending on the complexity of the installation.
Remaining costs after the grant are the homeowner’s responsibility, and no additional top-up grants are available from the BUS. Some homeowners may qualify for local authority schemes or the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) for further support, but these are separate programmes with their own eligibility criteria.
Source: Energy Saving Trust (EST), heat pump installation costs and savings (2026).
You must use an MCS-certified installer to qualify for the BUS grant
The grant is only available if the installation is carried out by an MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) certified contractor. The installer must also be registered with TrustMark for consumer protection, and the grant application is submitted by the installer, not the homeowner.
Before agreeing to any work, verify an installer by checking the MCS register online or the TrustMark website. Using an uncertified installer means you cannot claim the BUS grant, and you may also struggle to sell the property later because the heat pump will not be certified.
Source: MCS Service Company, find an MCS certified installer (2026); TrustMark, find a TrustMark registered business (2026).
The BUS grant is the direct answer to “how long will the bus grant last” — it runs until 31 March 2027
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant is confirmed to last until 31 March 2027, with no extension announced as of 2026. This date applies to both air source and ground source heat pump grants.
If you apply after this date, the grant may no longer be available unless the government extends the scheme. Homeowners considering a heat pump should factor this deadline into their planning, as the scheme could end without renewal.
Source: DESNZ, Boiler Upgrade Scheme: guidance for homeowners (GOV.UK, 2026). compare heat pump running costs vs gas boiler
Eligibility requires an existing boiler system and a valid Energy Performance Certificate
The property must have an existing heating system, such as a gas, oil, or electric boiler, to be replaced. New builds are ineligible because the scheme is designed to upgrade existing homes rather than support new construction.
You must also have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation, though this rule was relaxed in 2024 for some cases. The property must be in England or Wales, as Scotland has separate schemes like Home Energy Scotland. If you live in Scotland, check local grants rather than the BUS.
Source: DESNZ, Boiler Upgrade Scheme: eligibility (GOV.UK, 2026); Ofgem, BUS eligibility criteria (2026). how to check your EPC for heat pump eligibility
Frequently Asked Questions
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant is confirmed until 31 March 2027, according to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). There are no current plans to extend or end it early.
The BUS grant offers £7,500 off both air source and ground source heat pumps. This flat-rate amount applies to one property per application, as set by DESNZ.
No, the BUS grant is only available for existing dwellings, not new builds. This is specified by DESNZ in the scheme eligibility rules.
No further increases have been announced for 2026. The £7,500 amount is fixed under current DESNZ guidance, with no changes expected before March 2027.
Homeowners in England and Wales with an existing dwelling are eligible. The property must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation, per DESNZ rules.
