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 only (loan stays £7,500)
- ✓ Total rural: up to £16,500
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 the grant only. Total support for a rural Scottish property: £16,500. 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 the grant only (the loan stays at £7,500). Total HES support: up to £15,000 standard, £16,500 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 works with a registered HES installation partner. 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 £16,500 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.
Heating Systems for Scotland
Gas, oil, LPG, heat pumps, and electric heating — all available through our Gas Safe registered partner.
Heating in Scotland: Gas, oil, LPG boiler replacement and clean-heat upgrades (heat pumps with up to GBP 7,500 grant plus GBP 7,500 loan via Home Energy Scotland) installed by our partner Home Heating Services (Scotland) Ltd — Gas Safe 559575, MCS IAA10151. Call 0141 230 0198.
Last updated 2026-06-01
Gas Boilers in Scotland
For homes in Scotland with mains gas, a high-efficiency A-rated condensing boiler is often the fastest solution when a boiler fails. Modern combi and system boilers from Worcester Bosch, Baxi, and Glow-Worm achieve 92-94% efficiency, significantly reducing running costs compared to older models. A gas boiler replacement in Scotland typically costs £1,800-£3,500 installed depending on system type and complexity. Like-for-like gas boiler swaps are not eligible for HES grant funding — the grant is reserved for clean-heat upgrades such as heat pumps. If you're considering a longer-term move away from gas, the Alternative Heating tab covers funded options including air source heat pumps with up to £7,500 grant plus £7,500 interest-free loan.
Heating installations are carried out by our Gas Safe registered partner, Home Heating Services (Scotland) Ltd.
Get a heating quoteOil Boilers in Scotland
Some properties in Scotland rely on oil heating, particularly those in more rural areas. Oil boiler replacements remain an option where a system has failed, but oil prices are volatile and running costs are typically higher than gas or heat pump alternatives. A replacement oil boiler costs £3,000-£5,500 installed in Scotland. Scottish homeowners switching from oil to an air source heat pump can access the HES grant of up to £7,500 (£9,000 for rural properties with the £1,500 rural uplift on the grant) plus an interest-free loan of up to £7,500 — making the switch far more affordable than it first appears. Heat pumps also benefit from 0% VAT until 31 March 2027. For off-gas Scotland homes, moving from oil to a heat pump is the most funded upgrade available. See the Alternative Heating tab for details.
Heating installations are carried out by our Gas Safe registered partner, Home Heating Services (Scotland) Ltd.
Get a heating quoteLPG Boilers in Scotland
LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) boilers serve off-gas-grid homes in Scotland as an alternative to oil. They are cleaner-burning than oil but remain a fossil fuel with volatile pricing. An LPG boiler replacement typically costs £2,200-£4,000 installed. Running costs are generally comparable to oil heating, though LPG tanks require regular deliveries and rental agreements. As with oil, switching from LPG to an air source heat pump in Scotland qualifies for the HES grant (up to £7,500, or £9,000 rural with the grant uplift) plus an interest-free loan of up to £7,500. The 0% VAT on heat pumps (until 31 March 2027) makes this a strong financial case for LPG homes looking to reduce bills long-term. Our partner handles the full transition from LPG to heat pump, including decommissioning.
Heating installations are carried out by our Gas Safe registered partner, Home Heating Services (Scotland) Ltd.
Get a heating quoteAlternative Heating in Scotland
Air source heat pumps are the most popular clean-heat option for Scotland homes, heavily supported by Scotland's Home Energy Scotland grants. The HES grant provides up to £7,500 towards installation (£9,000 for rural properties with the grant-only uplift), plus an interest-free loan of up to £7,500, and 0% VAT applies until 31 March 2027. Running costs are typically 30-50% lower than oil or LPG. Hybrid systems (heat pump plus existing boiler) suit older properties where a full switch isn't immediately practical. Solar thermal and biomass boilers may also be considered in Scotland where appropriate. All clean-heat installations are carried out by our Gas Safe registered partner, Home Heating Services (Scotland) Ltd, who hold MCS certification for heat pump work.
Heating installations are carried out by our Gas Safe registered partner, Home Heating Services (Scotland) Ltd.
Get a heating quoteCeramic / Electric in Scotland
Modern electric heating has evolved far beyond old-style storage heaters. High-retention ceramic storage heaters, electric boilers, and infrared panels are increasingly popular in Scotland for flats, hard-to-treat properties, and homes without gas. They require no annual servicing, produce zero local emissions, and suit properties where heat pump installation is impractical (e.g. tenements without outdoor space). Running costs are higher than heat pumps but lower than older electric systems, especially on time-of-use tariffs. Ceramic heaters retain heat for 8-12 hours, releasing it gradually. When combined with solar PV and battery, electricity costs can be near-zero during daylight. ECO4 (means-tested, extended to 31 December 2026) may fund electric heating upgrades for eligible Scotland households.
Heating installations are carried out by our Gas Safe registered partner, Home Heating Services (Scotland) Ltd.
Get a heating quotePartner credentials: Heating installations delivered by Home Heating Services (Scotland) Ltd — MCS certified (IAA10151) · TrustMark registered (3559930) · Gas Safe registered (559575). MCS certified, TrustMark registered, Gas Safe registered.
Heating FAQ — Scotland
What heating systems can I get installed in Scotland?+
Should I replace my boiler or switch to a heat pump in Scotland?+
Is there funding for heating upgrades in Scotland?+
How quickly can a broken boiler be replaced in Scotland?+
What heating suits an off-gas home in Scotland?+
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Use the Right Scheme for Scotland
We handle all HES applications through our MCS-registered installation partner. Scotland-specific.
Part of Scottish Energy Efficiency