The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is changing again in April 2026, and installers need to understand exactly what this means for eligibility, technology options, paperwork and how they quote for customers. This article explains the key amendments, what you must do differently on site and in your office, and how Logic4training can help you stay compliant, win work and build a profitable low‑carbon heating business.
What is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and why does it matter for installers?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a government grant that helps homeowners in England and Wales replace fossil fuel heating systems with low‑carbon alternatives, mainly heat pumps. Ofgem administers the scheme, and MCS‑certified installers apply on behalf of their customers, manage the paperwork and redeem the voucher after installation.
For installers, BUS is important because:
- It reduces the upfront cost of heat pumps, making quotes more attractive to customers and easier to convert.
- It rewards installers who are early adopters of low‑carbon technologies and can demonstrate quality and compliance.
- It is increasingly linked to wider policy on net zero, building performance and heating system standards, so understanding BUS is part of future‑proofing your business.
Logic4training has been supporting heating engineers through the transition to low‑carbon heating since the scheme launched, providing training, guidance and practical support on how to work with BUS and heat pump technology in the real world.
Key 2026 rule changes at a glance
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 have now been laid before Parliament and are due to come into force on 28 April 2026, subject to approval. Ofgem has also published updated draft Guidance for Installers, which will apply to applications properly made on or after that date.
Some of the most important updates are:
- Timeline and transition between old and new rules.
- Expansion of eligible technologies, including air‑to‑air heat pumps and exhaust air heat pumps.
- Requirement to show the BUS grant as an upfront discount on the customer quote and invoice.
- Updates on consumer protection, MCS alignment and use of Consumer Codes.
- Relaxed EPC requirements, allowing alternative evidence where no valid EPC exists.
Installers currently working under Version 4.2 of Ofgem’s Guidance for Installers should continue to follow that for all existing and active BUS applications until the new rules apply.
Timeline: What happens on 28 April 2026?
Understanding the timetable is essential if you have quotes in the pipeline or Boiler Upgrade Scheme applications already submitted. The amended regulations are due to come into force on 28 April 2026, with Version 4.2 of the installer guidance remaining in place for all current or active applications made before that date. Any BUS applications properly made on or after 28 April 2026 will instead be processed in line with the amended regulations and the updated installer guidance once it is finalised.
For installers, this creates a short transition period where you may have live projects running under two different rule sets, so clear record‑keeping and strong version control on your documentation is crucial.
If you are planning to install systems that take advantage of the new technology categories, such as air‑to‑air heat pumps, those installations and their associated BUS applications must sit under the new regime starting from 28 April 2026.
Expanded technologies: New opportunities from 2026
One of the biggest changes is the expansion of the types of technology that can receive a BUS grant, which opens up new business models for installers.
Air‑to‑air heat pumps
Under the amended regulations, air‑to‑air heat pumps will become eligible for a £2,500 BUS grant in domestic properties only. This gives installers a new low‑carbon heating option to offer customers who may not be ready for, or suited to, a full wet heating system conversion.
For many properties, air‑to‑air units can:
- Provide efficient space heating with relatively simple installation.
- Work well in smaller or well‑insulated homes where a full wet system would be disruptive or unnecessary.
- Act as a stepping stone towards a whole‑house low‑carbon solution as the property is upgraded over time.
To capitalise on this, installers will need a solid understanding of air‑to‑air heat pump design, performance and customer expectations, which is covered in Logic4training’s heat pump training courses for installers transitioning from traditional gas and oil systems.
Exhaust air heat pumps
Exhaust air heat pumps will become eligible for a £7,500 BUS grant, bringing them in line with the main grant level for many air‑source and ground‑source heat pumps. These systems can be particularly attractive in new‑builds and refurbishments where mechanical ventilation and heat recovery are part of the design.
Installers who understand ventilation, heat recovery and system integration will be well placed to offer whole‑house retrofit solutions that maximise comfort and efficiency. Logic4training’s focus on system‑thinking and renewables makes it an ideal training partner if you want to move into this area or upskill your team.
Multi‑technology installations and supplementary heating
The amendments also clarify that BUS‑funded heat pumps may be installed alongside non‑fossil fuel supplementary heating appliances as part of multi‑technology installations. However, the BUS‑funded heat pump must be capable of providing the full space heating and hot water demand for the property, either alone or in combination with supplementary heating appliances.
In practice, this means you can design systems that:
- Combine a heat pump with electric panel heaters or infrared panels in certain rooms.
- Use a heat pump as the primary system, with other electric technologies helping to manage peak loads or specific zones.
- Are built to meet current and future regulations around decarbonisation and building performance.
Designing and commissioning multi‑technology systems correctly is not trivial, so recognised air source heat pump training and wider renewables training become even more important for maintaining performance and compliance.
New rules on quoting: Upfront grant deduction
A major procedural change in 2026 is how the BUS grant is shown on your quotes and invoices.
Installers must now:
- Deduct the grant value as an upfront discount from the installation cost.
- Provide the property owner with a quote that clearly shows the total cost before the grant, the BUS grant amount, and the net amount payable by the customer.
- Not request or accept payment of the deducted grant amount from the customer at any stage, to remain compliant with BUS requirements.
This change is designed to make the financial benefit of the scheme clear to the end customer and to avoid any confusion over who ultimately receives the grant.
For installers, it means you need clear pricing templates, robust internal processes and staff who understand the grant mechanics, especially if they are involved in quoting and customer communication.
Consumer protection, MCS and installer responsibilities
The updated regulations and Ofgem guidance bring consumer protection more to the fore, with changes that align BUS more closely with the redeveloped MCS installer scheme.
Key points include:
- Updates to reflect the redeveloped MCS installer framework, reinforcing the importance of MCS certification for BUS work.
- Continued requirement to be a member of a recognised Consumer Code to access BUS, until further notice.
- Strong expectations around quality of design, installation and customer handover, with MCS and Ofgem able to carry out checks and audits.
For smaller businesses, achieving and maintaining MCS can feel demanding, which is why schemes that use MCS umbrella partners are becoming increasingly popular. Logic4training has partnered with organisations such as Alto Energy and Grant UK to provide heat pump schemes that allow installers to work under an MCS umbrella while still accessing BUS and other support.
EPC changes: Less paperwork, more evidence
Under the current rules, properties generally need a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) that meets certain criteria to access BUS. From 28 April 2026, this requirement is being relaxed in a way that simplifies access but still protects the integrity of the scheme.
The key EPC‑related changes are:
- Properties will no longer need a valid EPC in place to apply for BUS.
- Where no EPC is available, installers must provide alternative evidence, such as a recent utility bill and photos of the existing heating system.
- Where a valid EPC does exist, it must still be submitted as part of the application.
This should make life easier when dealing with properties that have not been sold or rented for some time, or where the owner has not recently commissioned an EPC.
However, the need to provide alternative evidence means installers must be more organised about gathering and storing proof of the existing system and usage, including high‑quality photos and clear documentation.
Practical steps for installers preparing for the 2026 changes
To get the most from the amended Boiler Upgrade Scheme regulations, installers should take a structured approach.
1. Review current and upcoming projects
Start by reviewing your current and upcoming projects and identifying which Boiler Upgrade Scheme applications will fall under the old rules and which will sit under the amended regulations. Once you have done this, update your internal job sheets and CRM notes so that each project is clearly marked with the rule set that applies.
2. Update your quoting and invoicing templates
Next, update your quoting and invoicing templates so they include a clear section that shows the cost before the grant, the BUS grant value and the net amount the customer will pay, as required by the new upfront deduction rules. Make sure you also train office staff and surveyors so they can explain this structure in simple terms to customers and avoid any misunderstanding about how the grant is applied.
3. Upskill on new technologies
Focus on upskilling in the new technologies covered by the scheme by expanding your knowledge of air‑to‑air and exhaust air heat pumps, as well as multi‑technology system design. Booking onto an Air Source Heat Pump Training Course or broader renewables training with Logic4training will help you build confidence before you start selling these new options to customers.
4. Check your MCS and Consumer Code status
Check your MCS and Consumer Code status and confirm that your MCS registration and Consumer Code membership are up to date and aligned with the redeveloped schemes referenced in the latest guidance. If direct MCS is not viable for your business, explore Logic4training’s heat pump schemes with umbrella MCS partners, which can help you access BUS without taking on all the overhead yourself.
5. Improve your evidence gathering process
Improve your evidence‑gathering process by creating a standard checklist for site surveys that includes capturing utility bill snapshots and photos of existing systems to meet the new EPC‑alternative evidence requirements. Store this information securely and clearly link it to each BUS application reference so that it is easy to access if Ofgem or MCS ask for more detail.
6. Stay informed
Stay informed by keeping an eye on Ofgem’s installer guidance page and DESNZ updates, as the draft guidance may still change before it is finalised. You should also follow Logic4training’s insights section for ongoing analysis of policy changes, training opportunities and practical tips for installers working with BUS and low‑carbon technologies.
Example: How a BUS‑compliant quote might look
A typical BUS‑compliant quote after 28 April 2026 could show:
- Total installation cost (equipment, labour, VAT): £15,000.
- BUS grant: £7,500 (for an eligible air‑source or exhaust air heat pump).
- Amount payable by customer: £7,500.
The customer would sign to confirm they understand the grant is paid to you as the installer, and that they are only responsible for the net amount shown, with no separate payment of the grant value.
Get ready for the next phase of BUS
The 2026 changes to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme mark the next phase in the shift towards low‑carbon heating across England and Wales. Installers who understand the new rules, embrace the wider range of eligible technologies and put clear processes in place for quoting and evidence‑gathering will be best placed to benefit as customer demand and grant funding continue to grow.
Whether you are already installing heat pumps or are just starting to explore this market, now is a good time to review your systems, upskill where needed and make sure your business is BUS‑ready. Investing in recognised heat pump training courses, refreshing your knowledge of the latest Ofgem guidance and keeping an eye on industry updates will help you stay compliant and competitive as the scheme evolves.
When do the new Boiler Upgrade Scheme rules start?
The amended regulations are due to come into force on 28 April 2026, subject to parliamentary approval. BUS applications made before that date are processed under the existing rules, while applications properly made on or after that date follow the amended regulations and updated installer guidance.
Do I still need an EPC to apply for BUS?
From 28 April 2026, properties will no longer need a valid EPC in place to apply for BUS. If a valid EPC exists it must still be submitted, but where it does not, installers must provide alternative evidence such as a recent utility bill and photos of the existing heating system.
Are air‑to‑air heat pumps covered by BUS?
Yes, under the amended regulations air‑to‑air heat pumps will be eligible for a £2,500 BUS grant in domestic properties only. This gives installers a new low‑carbon heating option to offer suitable households.
What grant is available for exhaust air heat pumps?
Exhaust air heat pumps will be eligible for a £7,500 BUS grant, similar to other main heat pump types. Installers must ensure the system is designed to meet the property’s full space heating and hot water demand, in line with the scheme rules.
How should I show the BUS grant on my quote?
Installers must deduct the BUS grant amount as an upfront discount and provide a quote that clearly shows the cost before the grant, the grant value, and the net amount the customer pays. You must not request or accept payment from the customer for the grant portion.
Do I need to be MCS registered to install under BUS?
Yes, BUS requires installations to be carried out by MCS‑certified installers and to meet relevant scheme and Consumer Code requirements. If direct MCS registration is not suitable for your business, Logic4training can introduce you to heat pump schemes under MCS umbrella partners that still give you access to BUS.
How can Logic4training help me prepare for the changes?
Logic4training offers heat pump training courses, access to MCS umbrella schemes, and regular insight articles on BUS and low‑carbon policy. Our trainers are experienced heating professionals who can help you apply the new rules on real‑world installations.
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