Boiler Upgrade Scheme ScotlandWhat You Need to Know
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
NOT available in Scotland
- Available in England and Wales only
- £7,500 grant for heat pumps
- No interest-free loan
- No rural uplift
- Administered by Ofgem
Home Energy Scotland (HES)
Scotland’s heat pump scheme
- ✓ Available in Scotland only
- ✓ £7,500 non-repayable grant
- ✓ £7,500 interest-free loan
- ✓ +£1,500 rural uplift on grant AND loan
- ✓ Total rural: up to £18,000
Why the BUS Doesn’t Apply in Scotland
Energy efficiency policy is a devolved matter in Scotland, meaning the Scottish Government has its own schemes separate from Westminster. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme was created by the UK Government for England and Wales as part of the Heat and Buildings Strategy.
Scotland has its own equivalent — the Home Energy Scotland (HES) scheme — funded by the Scottish Government and administered by Energy Saving Trust. HES operates differently to BUS, with a combined grant and interest-free loan structure that provides more total support for most Scottish properties.
If you are in Scotland and see advice about the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, that advice does not apply to you. Contact Scottish Energy Efficiency on 0141 230 0198 for correct Scotland-specific grant advice.
BUS Scotland FAQs
No — the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is only available in England and Wales. It does not apply in Scotland. Scottish homeowners should use the Home Energy Scotland (HES) heat pump grant instead, which provides up to £7,500 non-repayable grant plus a £7,500 interest-free loan — making it more generous than the BUS for most properties. Call 0141 230 0198.
The alternative to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme in Scotland is the Home Energy Scotland (HES) heat pump grant. It provides up to £7,500 non-repayable grant plus a £7,500 interest-free loan. Rural properties get an additional £1,500 uplift on both. Total support for a rural Scottish property: £18,000. This is administered by Home Energy Scotland (0808 808 2282). Call Scottish Energy Efficiency on 0141 230 0198 for help applying.
Energy policy relating to domestic heating is a devolved matter in Scotland. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme was created by the UK Government for England and Wales. Scotland has its own equivalent through the Scottish Government-funded Home Energy Scotland scheme, which is funded separately and offers different terms — including an interest-free loan in addition to the grant.
The Home Energy Scotland (HES) heat pump grant provides up to £7,500 towards an air source or ground source heat pump, plus a £7,500 interest-free loan. Rural properties receive an additional £1,500 uplift on both the grant and loan. Total HES support: up to £15,000 standard, £18,000 rural. Call 0141 230 0198.
Not necessarily — HES requires installers to be registered with the HES scheme specifically. While many MCS-certified installers are registered for both BUS and HES, you should check your installer is HES-registered. Scottish Energy Efficiency is a registered HES installer. Call 0141 230 0198 to confirm eligibility and start the application process.
For most Scottish homeowners, yes — HES is more generous than the BUS. The BUS provides £7,500 with no loan component. HES provides the same £7,500 grant plus a £7,500 interest-free loan, giving up to £15,000 in total. Rural properties get £18,000 with HES vs £7,500 with BUS. The only scenario where they are equivalent is for non-rural urban properties where the loan is not needed. Call 0141 230 0198 for personalised advice.
The BUS is a domestic scheme and does not cover commercial properties in Scotland or England. In Scotland, there are separate schemes for commercial heat pump funding. Contact Business Energy Scotland or speak to Scottish Energy Efficiency on 0141 230 0198 for commercial heat pump advice.
To apply for the Home Energy Scotland heat pump grant and loan: 1) Contact Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 or visit homeenergyscotland.org. 2) They will assess your eligibility and property suitability. 3) You will be connected with HES-registered installers including Scottish Energy Efficiency. 4) We survey your property, design the system, and manage the grant application on your behalf. Call 0141 230 0198 to get started.
Use the Right Scheme for Scotland
We are HES-registered and handle all HES applications. Scotland-specific, MCS certified.
Part of Scottish Energy Efficiency