Heat Pumps ScotlandUse HES Grant, Not the BUS
⚠ Scotland uses HES, not BUS
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is only available in England and Wales. If you are in Scotland and reading advice about BUS heat pump grants, that advice does not apply to you. Home Energy Scotland (HES) is Scotland’s equivalent — and it includes an interest-free loan on top of the grant, making it more generous than the BUS for most Scottish properties.
Heat Pump Pricing Scotland 2026
After HES grant (up to £7,500), costs reduce significantly. 0% VAT included until March 2027.
Standard
5–7kW Air Source
- ✓Vaillant / Daikin / Mitsubishi
- ✓Suitable for 2–3 bed homes
- ✓MCS-certified installation
- ✓Full system design & sizing
- ✓7-year manufacturer warranty
- ✓HES Grant eligible (up to £7,500)
- ✓0% VAT until March 2027
Performance
9–12kW Air Source
- ✓Vaillant / Daikin / Mitsubishi
- ✓Suitable for 3–4 bed homes
- ✓MCS-certified installation
- ✓Hot water cylinder included
- ✓7-year manufacturer warranty
- ✓HES Grant eligible (up to £7,500)
- ✓Radiator assessment included
- ✓0% VAT until March 2027
Rural Premium
Ground Source / Large ASHP
- ✓Ground source or large air source
- ✓HES Rural Uplift: +£1,500 grant
- ✓HES Rural Loan: up to £7,500 (no uplift)
- ✓Total HES support: up to £16,500
- ✓MCS-certified installation
- ✓Full underfloor heating design
- ✓7-year manufacturer warranty
0% VAT on solar installations — this rate expires 31 March 2027. Install before this date and save up to £700 on a standard system.
Heat Pumps Scotland FAQs
No — the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) does not apply in Scotland. Scottish homeowners use the Home Energy Scotland (HES) heat pump grant instead. HES provides up to £7,500 non-repayable grant plus a £7,500 interest-free loan — more generous than the BUS for most Scottish households. Call 0141 230 0198.
A standard 5–7kW air source heat pump costs from £12,000 before grant. After the HES grant of £7,500, the net cost is from £4,500 — or as low as £0 for eligible rural properties where the combined grant and loan covers the full cost. Call 0141 230 0198 for a Scotland-specific heat pump survey and quote.
The Home Energy Scotland (HES) heat pump grant provides up to £7,500 non-repayable towards an air source or ground source heat pump in Scotland. This is separate from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), which only applies in England and Wales. HES also offers a £7,500 interest-free loan on top of the grant, giving up to £15,000 total (£16,500 for rural properties). Call 0141 230 0198.
Yes — modern air source heat pumps work well in Scotland's climate. They can extract heat from air at temperatures as low as -20°C, well below the temperatures experienced even in the Highlands. In fact, Scotland's cooler climate and well-insulated older housing stock can be well-suited to heat pump technology when the system is properly designed. Call 0141 230 0198 for a property assessment.
The Home Energy Scotland rural uplift provides an additional £1,500 on the grant only (the loan stays at £7,500) for rural Scottish properties. This means rural homeowners can access £9,000 grant + £7,500 loan = £16,500 total. There's no equivalent rural uplift in England's BUS scheme. Call 0141 230 0198 to check if your property qualifies.
Yes — combining a heat pump with solar panels is an excellent strategy in Scotland. Solar panels can provide free electricity to power the heat pump, reducing running costs significantly. A solar + heat pump combination qualifies for 0% VAT on both systems until 31 March 2027. The heat pump qualifies for the HES grant. Call 0141 230 0198.
From initial enquiry to installation completion, the HES heat pump process typically takes 8–14 weeks: HES eligibility assessment (1–2 weeks), property survey and system design (1–2 weeks), HES grant application and approval (3–5 weeks), and installation itself (3–5 days). Scottish Energy Efficiency manages the entire process. Call 0141 230 0198.
Air source heat pumps work best in properties with good insulation (EPC C or above, or where insulation can be improved). They are suitable for detached, semi-detached, and terraced houses across Scotland. Scottish Energy Efficiency conducts a full home assessment including heat loss calculation, insulation assessment, and hot water demand analysis before recommending a heat pump. Call 0141 230 0198.
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 leading 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 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 — Gas Safe 559575 · MCS IAA10151 · HIES · RECC 00077024 · TrustMark 3559930. 5 stars on Google & Trustpilot.
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?+
Who carries out the heating installation?+
Heat Pump Scotland — From £8,000 Net After HES
HES-registered installers. Scotland-only. MCS certified. Free survey.
Part of Scottish Energy Efficiency