Boiler Upgrade Scheme 2026: £7,500 Heat Pump Grant — Kent Guide
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) gives you up to £7,500 off an air-source or ground-source heat pump installation in England and Wales. From 28 April 2026 the rules changed substantially — EPC removed as a requirement, scheme extended to 2030, new £2,500 grant for air-to-air heat pumps, and £9,000 uplift coming in July for off-gas-grid homes. This guide explains what's new, who qualifies, and lists MCS-certified heat pump installers operating in Kent.
The 2026 BUS grant amounts
| Heat pump type | Grant value | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Air-source heat pump (most common) | £7,500 | England & Wales, existing home, MCS install |
| Ground-source heat pump | £7,500 | England & Wales, existing home, MCS install |
| Water-source heat pump | £7,500 | England & Wales, existing home, MCS install |
| Air-to-air heat pump (NEW from 28 April 2026) | £2,500 | Residential properties only |
| Off-gas-grid uplift (oil/LPG, from July 2026) | £9,000 total (£7,500 + £1,500) | Off-gas-grid homes — temporary uplift this financial year |
What changed on 28 April 2026
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 introduced four substantive changes:
- EPC requirement removed. Where a valid EPC exists, it remains the primary evidence; where no EPC is available, the installer can submit a recent utility bill showing the existing fuel type plus photographs of the current heating system. This opens the scheme to many Kent homes that previously failed on cavity-wall or loft insulation recommendations.
- Scheme extended to 2030. Previously due to end in 2028, the scheme will now run for an additional two years giving time for supply-chain build-out.
- Air-to-air heat pumps eligible at £2,500. A whole new category — air-to-air systems (which heat by blowing warm air through ducts/grilles rather than warming water in radiators) are a much lower-cost option and now qualify for £2,500 of support.
- MCS certification formally required. The installer definition is now tied to MCS — informal installs do not qualify.
Off-gas-grid uplift: £9,000 from July 2026
If your Kent home is off the gas grid (relies on heating oil or LPG), the standard £7,500 grant will be topped up by £1,500 — total £9,000 — when the uplift opens in July 2026, subject to the formal grant change notice being published by DESNZ. This uplift is only available for the current financial year. Off-grid Kent locations include parts of the Weald, North Downs villages, and rural pockets of Romney Marsh — if you're paying for delivered heating fuel, this applies.
What a Kent install actually costs (after grant)
| System size | Typical Kent install price | After £7,500 BUS grant |
|---|---|---|
| Air-source 5-7 kW (small flat / terrace) | £7,500–£10,000 | £0–£2,500 |
| Air-source 8-10 kW (3-bed semi) | £9,000–£14,000 | £1,500–£6,500 |
| Air-source 12-16 kW (large detached) | £13,000–£19,000 | £5,500–£11,500 |
| Ground-source heat pump | £25,000–£45,000 | £17,500–£37,500 |
| Air-to-air heat pump | £3,500–£6,000 | £1,000–£3,500 (£2,500 grant) |
| Radiator upgrades (typical retrofit) | +£800–£2,500 | Often required for efficient operation |
Full breakdown: UK heat pump cost guide 2026.
How to apply for the BUS grant
You don't apply directly. The process:
- Get 2-3 quotes from MCS-certified installers. Use the list below or filter Kent installers by MCS accreditation.
- Have a heat-loss survey done (PAS 2035 best practice). A proper survey measures every room's heat loss against -3°C external — anyone quoting without this is guessing.
- Your chosen installer applies for the grant on your behalf and deducts the grant value from the final bill. They handle the paperwork and the cash flow.
- Sign and pay the post-grant balance (typically 10% deposit, 80% on commissioning, 10% on handover documentation).
Watch out for: non-MCS installers offering to "do the paperwork" — only an MCS-certified installer can validly apply for the grant. If the quote doesn't reference an MCS certification number, walk away.
Heat pump installers in Kent (by town)
NearbyTraders lists Kent heat pump installers across 18 towns. Click your town to see local installers — most are also Gas Safe registered, so they can manage the boiler decommissioning at the same visit.
North Kent
Mid Kent
East Kent
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a new EPC to apply in Kent?
No, not from 28 April 2026. If you have a valid EPC it remains the primary evidence; if you don't, your installer can submit a utility bill showing your existing fuel type plus photos of the current heating system. This is one of the biggest practical changes — many Kent homes that previously failed eligibility on insulation recommendations are now in scope.
What's the difference between an air-source and ground-source heat pump?
Air-source pulls heat from the outside air via an external unit (similar size to a small AC condenser). Ground-source pulls heat from buried pipes — either a horizontal trench (needs ~1.5x the floor area of garden) or a vertical borehole (needs drilling). Air-source is 80% of UK installs because it's cheaper to install and ground works are disruptive.
What's an air-to-air heat pump and why's it cheaper?
Air-to-air heat pumps blow warm air through ducts or wall-mounted indoor units rather than heating water for radiators. They're cheaper (£3,500–£6,000 install) because they avoid the wet-system upgrade work — but you don't get hot water from them, so they suit homes that keep their existing hot water source (or use solar/electric immersion).
How long does a Kent install take?
Typical air-source install: 3-5 working days for a 3-bed semi (heat pump siting, indoor unit, hot water cylinder, radiator upgrades, commissioning). Ground-source adds 1-2 days for the ground works. Lead time from quote to install is currently 6-12 weeks for most Kent installers — the BUS demand has stretched the supply chain.
Will my Kent home really be warm enough?
Yes — properly designed and installed heat pumps deliver the same room temperatures as a gas boiler. The trick is the design: heat-loss surveyed correctly, radiators sized for 45-50°C flow, and weather compensation set up. A poorly designed system feels lukewarm; a well-designed one is indistinguishable from gas heating, just quieter.