What is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is a UK Government-backed initiative designed to encourage property owners in England and Wales to install low-carbon heating systems, including eligible biomass boilers. As specialists, we ensure your project not only meets the criteria for the grant but is also engineered for maximum efficiency and long-term savings.
What the Scheme Offers for Biomass
The BUS provides an upfront capital grant that is deducted directly from your installation cost. This significantly reduces your initial investment in switching to renewable heat. The grant available depends on your chosen replacement low carbon heating technology, a breakdown of these is provided below:
- £5,000 - Biomass boilers
- £7,500 - Air source heat pump
- £7,500 - Ground source heat pump
The BUS grant is an installer-led scheme. This means your chose MCS accredited installer handles the entire application process on your behalf, from checking eligibility and applying for the voucher to deducting the grant amount from your final invoice. Your role is simply to provide consent and basic documentation.
Biomass Boiler Eligibility
While the BUS widely supports heat pumps, its eligibility criteria for biomass boilers are more specific, targeting properties where biomass offers the most practical and carbon-saving benefit.
To qualify for the £5,000 biomass boiler grant, your installation must meet all the following criteria:
- Location: The property must be in England or Wales.
- Property Type: The grant covers domestic homes and small non-domestic buildings (with a maximum capacity of 45 kW.
- Off the Gas Grid: Your property must not be connected to the mains gas network.
- Rural Location: Your property must be in a rural location. This classification is based on specific government definitions (we will confirm this for you).
- Existing System: You must be replacing an existing fossil fuel heating system (oil, gas, LPG, or electric). Replacing an old renewable system (like a previous biomass boiler) is not eligible.
- Emissions Standard: The boiler must have an emissions certificate to show that polluting emissions are kept to a minimum. All Treco-supplied boilers meet or exceed these required emission standards.
- Installer Certification: The boiler must be supplied and installed by an MCS-certified installer, such as Treco.
- EPC: You must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) (issued within the last 10 years). The government no longer requires you to complete any loft or cavity wall insulation recommendations on the EPC before applying (for applications made after May 8th, 2024).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
- Is my property eligible for the biomass grant if I have mains gas?
No. The biomass boiler grant is strictly limited to properties that are off the gas grid and in a rural location. If you are on the mains gas network, you would only be eligible for a heat pump grant under the BUS.
- How much is the grant for a biomass boiler?
The grant for an eligible biomass boiler is a fixed, upfront payment of £5,000, which your MCS-certified installer will deduct from your invoice.
- Do I have to pay the grant amount upfront and wait to be reimbursed?
No. The BUS is designed to be hassle-free. Your installer (Treco) applies for the grant voucher, deducts the £5,000 from your quote/invoice, completes the installation, and then claims the funds directly from the scheme administrator (Ofgem). You only pay the net cost.
- What if my property is a self-build?
Self-build properties are generally eligible for the scheme. However, if you are seeking the grant for a biomass boiler, the self-build must still meet the core criteria of being off the gas grid and in a rural location.
- Does the grant cover commercial properties?
The scheme covers both domestic homes and small non-domestic properties (like small businesses, churches, or community halls) provided the system's maximum capacity is 45kW. For larger commercial installations, Treco can discuss other Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive.
- How long is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme running?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is currently open to new applications until 31 March 2028. However, funding is allocated in tranches, so it is always advisable to start your application process as soon as possible.