The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) offers households up to £2,500 toward air conditioning, as the UK endures its third heatwave of the summer. The scheme was expanded last year to include air-to-air heat pumps, which provide both cooling and heating.
How the grant works
Air-to-air heat pumps can keep homes cool in summer and warm in winter. According to the Energy Saving Trust, installation costs about £1,900 for one room and around £3,700 for a three-bed semi-detached home. The grant covers a significant portion of these costs.
Eligible homeowners in England and Wales can apply if they are replacing a fossil fuel or standard electric heating system. Renters can have their landlord apply on their behalf. The scheme is not available for most new build properties, social housing, or if you have already received government help for a heat pump or biomass boiler.
Application process
To apply, contact an MCS certified installer for quotes. The installer will submit the application on your behalf through Ofgem's website.
Minister for Energy Consumers Martin McCluskey said: “Air-to-air heat pumps offer the best of both worlds – keeping you warm in winter while cooling you down when summer comes along. With heat pumps more popular than ever, we want to make sure as many people as possible can benefit, especially those in flats or small homes without central heating, so they have greater choice when upgrading their property.”
Heatwave and energy bills
The grant comes as Britain swelters in its third heatwave. A record was set on Thursday when the UK hit its eighth day at or above 34°C in a calendar year. Meanwhile, energy bills have risen after the Ofgem price cap increased by around 13% on July 1. For a typical household paying by direct debit, the cap rose from £1,641 to £1,862 per year.
The price cap will remain in place until October, when it will be updated again. Cornwall Insight expects a typical household to face a bill of £1,849 from October, which will hit harder as people switch heating back on when temperatures drop.
