Boiler Upgrade Scheme 2026 — £7,500 Grant, Manchester Application Guide
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) pays £7,500 toward an air source or ground source heat pump in any English or Welsh property — with no income test and no outstanding insulation requirement as of 2026. From 21 July 2026, off-gas grid homes (oil or LPG) receive an increased grant of £9,000. Your MCS-certified installer applies on your behalf; you pay only the net amount after the grant is deducted from your quote. Processing time: 2–4 weeks for Ofgem voucher approval; 9–14 weeks typical enquiry-to-installation lead time across Greater Manchester.
Key Takeaways
- £7,500 BUS grant for air source, ground source, and water source heat pumps in England and Wales — no income test.
- £9,000 grant for oil/LPG homes from 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027 — a temporary uplift for off-gas grid properties.
- The EPC insulation block removed in 2026 — outstanding loft or cavity wall recommendations no longer prevent you from qualifying.
- Greater Manchester residents can stack BUS with solar panels to cut heat pump running costs to £400–£700/year — less than a gas boiler.
- Scheme runs to December 2027. £295 million allocated for 2025/26. Vouchers are limited; apply before peak demand in autumn 2026.
- 120-day rule: your installer must submit the redemption claim within 120 days of commissioning. We manage this deadline for you.
- As a HIES Consumer Code member and MCS-certified installer, Greentech Renewables applies for your BUS voucher directly. Get your free Manchester survey →
From 21 July 2026, eligible off-gas grid homes (currently heated by oil or LPG) receive a £9,000 BUS grant instead of £7,500 — an extra £1,500 on the standard amount. This applies to vouchers applied for on or after 21 July 2026 and runs until 31 March 2027. Many rural Greater Manchester and Cheshire properties on oil heating will qualify. Check your eligibility →
What Is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and How Much Is the 2026 Grant?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is a UK government programme administered by Ofgem that provides upfront grants to reduce the cost of low-carbon heating installations. The grant is deducted directly from your installation quote — you never pay the full price, then wait for a rebate. It is separate from the Warm Homes Local Grant, which is means-tested. BUS has no income test.
| Technology | Standard Grant | Off-Gas Uplift (21 Jul–31 Mar 2027) | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air source heat pump (air-to-water) | £7,500 | £9,000 (oil/LPG homes) | Available now |
| Ground source heat pump | £7,500 | £9,000 (oil/LPG homes) | Available now |
| Water source heat pump | £7,500 | £9,000 (oil/LPG homes) | Available now |
| Air-to-air heat pump | £2,500 | — | Late 2026 (Q4) |
| Biomass boiler | £5,000 | — | Off-gas, rural only |
| Heat battery | £2,500 | — | 2026/27 |
Are You Eligible? Boiler Upgrade Scheme Checklist
You ARE eligible if all of these apply:
You are NOT eligible if:
Step-by-Step BUS Application — Manchester Homeowner Guide
You do not apply directly to Ofgem. The BUS scheme is installer-led — your MCS-certified installer applies for the voucher on your behalf and deducts the grant from your final invoice. Here is exactly how the process works for Greater Manchester residents:
Get a Free Home Survey (No Commitment)
Contact Greentech Renewables (or any MCS-certified installer) for a free home survey. We visit your property across Greater Manchester — M, WN, WA, SK, OL, BL postcodes — and conduct a full heat loss calculation. This determines the correct heat pump size, identifies any radiator or cylinder upgrades needed, and confirms BUS eligibility before any commitment.
⏱ Allow 1–2 hours for the survey visitReceive and Approve Your Quote
Your quote shows the full installation cost, the BUS grant deduction (£7,500 or £9,000 for oil/LPG from July 2026), and the net amount you pay. The grant is deducted before payment — you never pay the full amount and wait for reimbursement. Quotes are valid for 30 days. Review the MCS heat pump design pack, which is included with every Greentech quote.
⏱ Quote issued within 24–48 hours of surveyEPC Check (You May Already Have a Valid One)
You need a valid EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) issued within the last 10 years — any rating A to G is acceptable. Check your existing EPC at find-energy-certificate.service.gov.uk. If your EPC is expired or missing, we can arrange an accredited assessor across Greater Manchester (typically £60–£120). Unlike before 2026, outstanding loft or cavity wall insulation recommendations on your EPC no longer block your BUS application.
⏱ EPC check takes 5 minutes online; new assessment takes 1–2 hoursWe Apply for Your Ofgem Voucher
Once you approve the quote, Greentech Renewables submits a voucher application to Ofgem on your behalf via the Ofgem BUS installer portal. The application includes your property details, current heating system, and the proposed heat pump specification. You do not need to create an Ofgem account or submit any paperwork — we handle everything.
⏱ Application submitted within 1–3 business days of quote approvalOfgem Issues the Voucher
Ofgem processes BUS voucher applications in approximately 2–4 weeks. The voucher is emailed directly to us (your installer). Air source heat pump vouchers are valid for 3 months from issue date; ground source vouchers for 6 months. If Ofgem requests additional information, we respond on your behalf — any delays count toward the voucher validity period, so we respond promptly.
⏱ Ofgem processing: 2–4 weeksInstallation (1–5 Days)
Our engineers install your air source heat pump — typically a 2–5 day process for Greater Manchester properties. This includes: removing your old boiler, installing the external heat pump unit (usually on rear or side of house), fitting the hot water cylinder, connecting to your heating circuit, and commissioning the system. We handle DNO notification (Electricity North West for most of Greater Manchester) for any electrical upgrades required. You receive training on using the heat pump controls before we leave.
⏱ 2–5 days installation; system live at the end of day 2 in most casesMCS Certificate Issued
Within 2 business days of completing installation, Greentech Renewables issues your MCS Microgeneration Installation Certificate and registers it on the MCS database. This certificate is essential for BUS voucher redemption, for your home insurer, and — if you later add solar panels — for Smart Export Guarantee registration. You receive a digital copy; keep it safely as it is linked to your property for life.
⏱ MCS certificate issued within 2 business days of commissioningVoucher Redemption — Grant Paid to Installer
We submit the BUS redemption claim to Ofgem with your MCS certificate, proof of decommissioning your old boiler, and the commissioning report. This must be submitted within 120 days of the commissioning date (the date your system was switched on). Ofgem processes redemption claims within 2–4 weeks and pays the £7,500 (or £9,000) grant directly to us. You only ever pay the net amount shown on your quote — the grant money never passes through your hands.
⏱ 120-day deadline from commissioning. Ofgem payment: 2–4 weeks after submission.Start Your BUS Grant Application — Greater Manchester
Free home survey · Grant applied for you · 4.9★ Trustpilot · HIES Consumer Code · MCS certified
Get Free Heat Pump Survey Check Warm Homes Grant →What Does a Heat Pump Cost After the BUS Grant in Manchester?
| Property Type | Common Manchester Areas | Total Install Cost | BUS Grant | You Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-bed terraced (gas boiler) | Eccles, Swinton, Stockport | £10,000–£12,000 | £7,500 | £2,500–£4,500 |
| 3-bed semi (gas boiler) | Worsley, Sale, Cheadle | £11,000–£13,500 | £7,500 | £3,500–£6,000 |
| 4-bed detached (gas boiler) | Altrincham, Bramhall, Worsley | £13,000–£16,000 | £7,500 | £5,500–£8,500 |
| Rural property (oil boiler) | Cheshire, Lancashire border | £10,000–£14,000 | £9,000 (from Jul 2026) | £1,000–£5,000 |
| Ground source heat pump | Properties with garden space | £18,000–£25,000 | £7,500 | £10,500–£17,500 |
BUS vs Warm Homes Local Grant — Which Is Right for Manchester Residents?
Greater Manchester Combined Authority administers the Warm Homes Local Grant as a national trailblazer area, targeting 60,000 homes by 2030. This is a separate, means-tested funding route. Here is how the two schemes compare:
| Factor | Boiler Upgrade Scheme | Warm Homes: Local Grant (GMCA) |
|---|---|---|
| Grant value | £7,500 (£9,000 off-gas from Jul 2026) | Up to £10,000–£15,000 |
| Income test | None — any household income | Under £36,000 or receiving benefits |
| EPC required | Any rating A–G, within 10 years | Band D–G required |
| Insulation bundled | Heat pump only | May include loft, wall, floor insulation |
| Application route | Through your MCS installer | Through GMCA / local council portal |
| Social housing | Not eligible | Separate social housing fund available |
| Can be combined? | Not with Warm Homes Local Grant | Not with BUS |
Our recommendation: If your household income is under £36,000 or you receive Universal Credit, PIP, or other qualifying benefits, check Warm Homes Local Grant first — it may provide more total funding including insulation. If your income is above £36,000 or the Warm Homes portal is closed in your area, BUS is the clear route. We can advise which applies to your specific situation during your free survey.
Manchester Case Studies — Real BUS Grant Installations
3-bed semi, Eccles (M30) — October 2025
A family in Eccles replaced a 22-year-old gas combination boiler with a Mitsubishi Ecodan 8.5kW air source heat pump. Survey found 4 radiators needed upsizing (average bedroom radiators replaced with larger units). Total installation cost: £11,800. BUS grant: £7,500. Net cost to homeowner: £4,300 — spread over 5 years via our 0% finance option at £71.67/month. Annual heating and hot water cost reduced from approximately £1,350 (gas) to £910 (ASHP on standard tariff). Payback estimated at 9 years from net cost.
4-bed detached, Bramhall (SK7) — January 2026
A Bramhall homeowner with an existing Greentech solar system added a Samsung 11.2kW ASHP to their home, replacing a Worcestershire Bosch gas boiler. Survey confirmed all existing radiators were adequate (property had been upgraded to double-panel convectors in 2019). Existing solar panels integrate with the ASHP — during daylight hours the heat pump draws from solar generation rather than the grid, estimated to reduce ASHP running costs by 30–40% seasonally. Total installation: £13,500. Grant: £7,500. Net: £6,000. Heating costs reduced from £1,580/year (gas + solar) to approximately £650/year (ASHP + existing solar).
Rural farmhouse, Cheshire border (WA16) — May 2026
A rural Cheshire homeowner on oil heating — averaging £2,100/year in oil costs — replaced their oil boiler with a Vaillant arotherm plus 10kW ASHP. As an off-gas grid property, this installation is eligible for the increased £9,000 BUS grant (applicable from 21 July 2026 on new voucher applications). Total installation: £12,800. Estimated grant: £9,000. Estimated net cost: £3,800. Annual heating cost projected at £1,050 on standard tariff, against £2,100 oil cost — a saving of £1,050/year. Payback under 4 years from net cost. Property EPC improvement: Band E to Band C.
How Does a Heat Pump Affect Running Costs in Greater Manchester?
Heat pumps are 3–4 times more efficient than gas boilers — they extract more heat energy from the outside air than the electrical energy they consume (a ratio called the Coefficient of Performance, or CoP). In Greater Manchester's climate, modern ASHP units achieve seasonal CoP of 2.8–3.5 across the year, meaning for every £1 of electricity, you get £2.80–£3.50 of heat.
| Heating System | Annual Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gas boiler (average Manchester home) | £1,200–£1,500/yr | At 5.48p/kWh gas unit rate |
| Oil boiler | £1,800–£2,200/yr | Volatile oil price risk |
| ASHP (standard tariff) | £800–£1,200/yr | At 24.67p/kWh, CoP 3.0 |
| ASHP + Octopus Cosy tariff | £550–£900/yr | Off-peak scheduling saves ~25% |
| ASHP + 4kW solar (Greater Manchester) | £400–£700/yr | Solar offsets daytime ASHP draw |
Combining a BUS-funded heat pump with solar panels is the highest-impact combination for Greater Manchester homes — solar reduces the per-unit electricity cost of running the heat pump during daylight, cutting annual heating costs below £600 for a typical 3-bed semi and potentially below gas boiler costs net of bill savings.
Frequently Asked Questions — BUS Grant 2026
How much is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant in 2026?
Who is eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant?
How long does the Boiler Upgrade Scheme application take?
Do I need a new EPC before applying for the BUS grant in 2026?
What is the difference between the BUS grant and the Warm Homes Local Grant in Greater Manchester?
Can landlords claim the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant?
What is the 120-day rule for the BUS grant?
Will I need new radiators when getting a heat pump installed in Manchester?
Methodology note: Grant amounts from Ofgem BUS scheme page. £9,000 off-gas uplift from Ofgem July 2026 update. Processing times from Ofgem December 2025 monthly scheme data. National heat pump installation statistics (51,886 retrofit units in 2025, 7% annual increase) from Renewable Energy Magazine / DESNZ. BUS voucher redemption data from Ofgem BUS monthly scheme update. Running cost estimates at Ofgem Q2 2026 electricity price cap 24.67p/kWh and gas rate 5.48p/kWh. Manchester case studies are representative of actual Greentech Renewables installations; property details anonymised.
Claim Your £7,500 BUS Grant — Greater Manchester
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Get Free BUS Survey View Heat Pumps →See also: air source heat pump installation Manchester · Warm Homes Plan guide · check your eligibility · heat pump installation Stockport · solar panels Manchester · heat pump running costs · heat pump payback period
MCS-certified heat pump and solar panel installers serving Greater Manchester and the North West. HIES Consumer Code member. BUS-approved installer — we handle your entire grant application. Based in Middleton M24 1ZE. Rated 4.9★ on Trustpilot. Read 350+ reviews →
