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Boiler Upgrade Scheme £9,000 Grant: Are You Eligible?
Posted on 1st Jul 2026
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme eligibility rules are changing for some homeowners, with the grant rising from £7,500 to £9,000 for certain off-grid properties from 21 July 2026. If you have heard about the increase and are not sure whether it applies to you, this guide breaks down exactly who qualifies, who does not, and what to do next.
In Brief
To qualify for the £9,000 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, your home must be off the mains gas grid, currently heated by oil or LPG, and have that system fully replaced with an air source or ground source heat pump. The uplift runs from 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027, after which eligible off-grid homes are expected to revert to the standard £7,500 grant.
What is actually changing?
From 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027, the Government is temporarily increasing the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant to £9,000 for eligible off-grid homes currently heated by oil or LPG. The uplift is aimed at rural households who are most exposed to volatile fuel prices, helping more of them switch to an air source or ground source heat pump.
It is a temporary, targeted change rather than a blanket increase. Most BUS applicants, including anyone with a gas boiler, will continue to receive the standard £7,500 grant.
Are you eligible for the £9,000 grant?
Run through these questions to get a quick sense of where you stand.
Is your home off the gas grid?
The £9,000 grant is only for properties that are not connected to mains gas. If you currently have a gas boiler, you will not qualify for the uplift, although you can still claim the standard £7,500 grant.
Do you currently heat your home with oil or LPG?
This is the core requirement. The increased grant applies specifically to homes replacing an oil or LPG heating system. Electric storage heaters are eligible for the standard BUS grant but do not qualify for this particular uplift.
Are you replacing your system completely?
The heat pump needs to fully replace your existing fossil fuel system. Keeping your oil boiler running alongside a new heat pump as a backup will not meet the scheme criteria.
Do you own the property, or run a small business from it?
BUS is open to homeowners and small business owners in England and Wales. Social housing and most new builds are not eligible, though self-build properties can often qualify.
Have you already received funding for a heat pump or biomass boiler?
If your property has previously had government support for one of these systems, including the closed Green Homes Grant, you will not be eligible to apply again.
If you answered yes to the oil or LPG question and the rest apply to you, there is a good chance you qualify for the £9,000 grant. The best way to confirm is to speak to an MCS-certified installer, who can check your specific circumstances.
£9,000 vs £7,500: which figure applies to you
| Current heating type | Grant amount | Eligible technology |
|---|---|---|
| Mains gas boiler | £7,500 | Air source or ground source heat pump |
| Oil or LPG (off-grid) | £9,000 from 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027 | Air source or ground source heat pump |
| Electric heating (no heat pump) | £7,500 | Air source or ground source heat pump |
| Off-grid, rural, biomass-suitable property | £5,000 | Biomass boiler |
| Any eligible property | Around £2,500 | Air-to-air heat pump |
Biomass boilers and air-to-air heat pumps are not included in the £9,000 uplift, even if your home is off-grid.
What if you already have a live BUS voucher?
If you have already applied and have an active BUS voucher, you will still receive £7,500 rather than the new £9,000 figure. The higher grant only applies to new applications made on or after 21 July 2026. If you are part way through the process and your installation falls close to that date, it is worth asking your installer whether it makes sense to wait.
What to do next
If you think you might be eligible, the next step is a survey with an MCS-certified installer. As an MCS-accredited installer, Ace Energy can confirm your eligibility, handle the BUS application on your behalf, and deduct the grant directly from your final invoice so there is nothing for you to claim back.
Find out more about air source heat pump installation and ground source heat pump installation in Dorset and Wiltshire, or get in touch to book a free, no-obligation survey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the £9,000 grant if I have electric storage heaters?
No. Electric heating without a heat pump qualifies for the standard £7,500 BUS grant, but not the £9,000 oil and LPG uplift.
Does bottled LPG count the same as a bulk LPG tank?
Both are treated as LPG heating for the purposes of the scheme. Your installer will confirm this as part of your eligibility check.
What happens to the grant after March 2027?
The £9,000 figure is a temporary uplift. Unless extended by the Government, the grant is expected to revert to £7,500 for oil and LPG properties from 1 April 2027.
Can I claim the grant for a solar panel installation instead?
No. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme only covers heat pumps and biomass boilers. If you are looking into solar panel grants, read our guide to solar panel grants in Dorset instead.
Do I need an up-to-date EPC to apply?
Not necessarily. As of April 2026, if your EPC is out of date, you can use alternative evidence such as a recent utility bill or photos of your existing heating system instead.
