Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certification requirements for clean heat schemes
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
Read the full outcome
Detail of outcome
Part 1: Amendments to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (published 18 November 2025)
As a result of the consultation, we will:
Expand system eligibility
- begin to provide grants to support the installation of air-to-air heat pumps (AAHPs) in domestic properties with a value of £2,500
- begin to provide grants to support the installation of heat batteries with a value of £2,500, once appropriate product, design and installation standards have been implemented, including robust consumer protections
- amend scheme eligibility criteria to allow more installations of heat pumps in combination with other electric heating appliances
- allow the installation of exhaust air heat pumps
Third-Party Ownership agreements
- undertake further work on third-party ownership of BUS-funded heating systems to resolve complex interactions with the current regulatory landscape before determining eligibility for the scheme
Simplify the heat pump installation journey
- relax the requirement to provide a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) from 2026 to 2027 onwards
Enhance consumer protections
- assess the MCS Customer Commitment as a consumer code before determining whether to approve it for the scheme
Grant payments under the BUS
- introduce a requirement in the BUS regulations for installers to deduct the grant amount from the upfront costs of the eligible plant
Next steps
We will proceed to introduce scheme regulations to Parliament to give effect to these changes, as parliamentary time allows. We will announce the timing of these changes in the coming weeks and provide guidance for installers and consumers on how the changes will impact the application process.
Part 2: Certification requirements for clean heat schemes (published 31 October 2025)
The government response provides a summary of the responses received to Part 2 of the consultation. This sought views on mandating the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) as the sole certification scheme for clean heat installations under UK government clean heat schemes and removing the option for equivalence from scheme regulations and guidance. The government response to Part 1 of the consultation will be published in due course.
Having considered the responses, the government has decided to proceed with removing the option for multiple certification schemes to certify installations under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, Energy Company Obligation 4, Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund and Warm Homes: Local Grant. This does not impact clean heat measures that are not currently required to be certified by MCS, such as heat networks, which will be covered by the forthcoming Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme, or any measures that are covered by PAS 2030.
As set out in the consultation, this is intended as an interim step ahead of the implementation of longer-term system reforms to the consumer protection landscape. Detail of the proposed system reforms will be set out as part of the Warm Homes Plan.
Detail of feedback received
We received 357 responses to Part 1 of the consultation from a range of stakeholders, including:
- installers
- manufacturers
- representative and trade associations
- non-governmental organisations and local government
- members of the public
- other stakeholders
We received 262 responses to Part 2 of the consultation from a range of stakeholders, including:
- installers
- manufacturers
- representative and trade associations
- non-governmental organisations and local government
- other stakeholders
Original consultation
Consultation description
This consultation is in 2 parts.
Part 1: Amendments to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Part 1 seeks views on proposed amendments to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) which provides grants to support property owners in transitioning to low carbon heating (LCH) systems.
The proposed changes are designed to increase access, stimulate further demand and enhance existing consumer protections. They include:
- allowing new heat pump purchase options alongside the BUS grant
- expanding eligibility for LCH technologies
- reviewing potential barriers to the consumer installation journey
- enhancing consumer protection by simplifying certification requirements and requiring installers to deduct grants upfront
Email queries relating to Part 1 Boiler Upgrade Scheme to boilerupgradescheme@energysecurity.gov.uk.
Part 2: Certification of clean heat installations
Part 2 seeks views on the government’s proposal to:
- require the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) as the sole certification scheme for clean heat installations delivered through:
- BUS
- Energy Company Obligation 4
- Warm Homes: Local Grant
- Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund
- remove the option for multiple certification schemes to certify installations.
Email queries relating to Part 2 certification requirements to cleanheatcertification@energysecurity.gov.uk.
Taking part
We welcome views from anyone with an interest, including:
- property owners
- installers
- consumer bodies
- lenders
- social housing providers
- local authorities
- combined authorities
- energy suppliers
- LCH industry experts
Read our consultation privacy notice.
Documents
Updates to this page
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Government response to part 1 of the consultation published.
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Published government response to part 2 of this consultation.
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First published.