Scotland Solar Grants vs EnglandHES vs Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Are you reading UK solar advice that doesn’t apply in Scotland?
Many UK solar websites give advice that only applies in England and Wales. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) does not exist in Scotland. Scottish homeowners use Home Energy Scotland instead — which includes a non-repayable grant plus an interest-free loan on top. Different DNOs, different planning rules, different grants. This site is Scotland-specific. All information applies to Scottish homeowners only.
Full Comparison Table
| Topic | 🏴Scotland | 🏴England / Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Pump Grant | ✓HES: £7,500 grant + £7,500 interest-free loan | ✗BUS: £7,500 grant only — no loan |
| Rural Uplift | ✓+£1,500 HES rural uplift (grant only) | ✗No equivalent rural uplift scheme |
| Solar PV Grant | ✓HES solar PV stopped June 2024 | ~No solar grant either |
| 0% VAT Solar | ✓Yes — until 31 March 2027 | ~Yes — until 31 March 2027 |
| Fuel Poverty Scheme | ✓Warmer Homes Scotland (different eligibility) | ~ECO4 (different criteria and delivery) |
| DNO Networks | ✓SPEN (Central Belt) + SSEN (Highlands/NE) | ~UKPN, Western Power, Northern Powergrid etc. |
| Planning Policy | ✓Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) | ~NPPF — different rules |
| Smart Export Guarantee | ✓Yes — SEG UK-wide (smart export tariffs; rates vary) | ~Yes — same SEG rates |
HES vs BUS — Side by Side
Home Energy Scotland (HES)
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
Why Scotland’s HES Scheme is More Generous
For rural Scottish homeowners especially, HES significantly outperforms the BUS. A rural property in Scotland can access:
- ✓ £9,000 grant (£7,500 + £1,500 rural uplift)
- ✓ £7,500 interest-free loan (no uplift on loan)
- ✓ Total: £16,500 in combined support
- ✗ BUS maximum: £7,500 (no loan, no rural uplift)
Scotland Grants FAQs
No — the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is only available in England and Wales. Scottish homeowners should apply for 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. Call 0141 230 0198.
For most Scottish homeowners, Home Energy Scotland (HES) is more generous than the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). Both offer £7,500 in non-repayable grants, but HES also includes a £7,500 interest-free loan on top — giving up to £15,000 in total support. Rural Scottish properties get an extra £1,500 uplift on the grant only, making the total up to £16,500. The BUS offers no loan and no rural uplift. Call 0141 230 0198.
Home Energy Scotland provides a rural uplift of +£1,500 on the grant only (the loan stays at £7,500) for properties in rural or island locations. This means rural Scottish homeowners can access up to £9,000 grant + £7,500 loan = £16,500 in total support for a heat pump. There is no equivalent rural uplift under the BUS in England. Call 0141 230 0198.
No — the Home Energy Scotland solar PV grant stopped accepting new applications in June 2024. The BUS has never funded solar either. The main solar incentives in Scotland are the same as in England: 0% VAT until 31 March 2027 (saving £1,200–£2,200) and the Smart Export Guarantee. ECO4 may fund solar for eligible low-income households. Call 0141 230 0198.
ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation 4) has been extended until December 2026. It provides fully funded energy improvements to low-income households in properties rated EPC D–G. It applies across the UK including Scotland, but the delivery in Scotland may involve different local authorities and installers. Scottish homeowners on qualifying benefits may be eligible. Call 0141 230 0198.
Yes — the 0% VAT rate on solar panels, battery storage, and heat pumps applies across the whole UK including Scotland. It is valid until 31 March 2027, after which VAT reverts to 5% (not 20%). On a typical 4kWp solar installation, this saves approximately £1,200–£2,200. Call 0141 230 0198.
Warmer Homes Scotland is a Scottish Government programme that funds free energy efficiency upgrades for qualifying fuel-poverty households, including solar and heat pump installation. It is administered through Home Energy Scotland and has different eligibility criteria and delivery to England's ECO4. Both schemes exist but are separate programmes. Apply through Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 or call Scottish Energy Efficiency on 0141 230 0198.
To apply for the Home Energy Scotland (HES) heat pump grant, contact Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282. They will assess your eligibility and connect you with a registered HES installer. You must use an MCS-certified installer registered with the HES scheme. Scottish Energy Efficiency is a registered HES installer. Call 0141 230 0198 for help with the application process.
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
The most generously funded heating option in Scotland is the air source heat pump, supported by Scotland's Home Energy Scotland scheme. 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?+
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