The Boiler Upgrade Scheme Regulations consultation is asking a number of questions of industry, which could influence the future of the BUS. These include:

• Whether grant levels should be adjusted for different types of property or property owners
• Whether the scheme should maintain the current requirement for a valid EPC with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation
• Whether biomass boilers with an integrated cooking function should be included as part of the BUS.

Speaking about the consultation, Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, said: "Heat pumps are a vital tool in cutting the carbon emissions from people heating their homes, while also helping to drive down costs and boosting our energy security.

"While a heat pump can be installed for a similar price to installing a gas boiler, the support we’ve put in place means it is an option for more and more households.

"Today’s changes go even further and will mean even more people could benefit from making the switch, offering them the option for a low emission, low cost form of heating their homes."

Henk van den Berg, Strategic Business Manager, Heating & Renewables – Daikin UK, said: “We welcome the government’s consultation to improve the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. The scheme is making an important contribution to increasing the take-up of low carbon heating. We believe that there is much of merit in the consultation and will respond to it in due course.

“We would, however, urge the new Energy Secretary, to include hybrid heat pumps in the scheme. Hybrids are the quickest and most effective way to decarbonise existing properties. They also require lower levels of support to make them attractive, making the governments funding go even further.”

To take part in the consultation, click this link. The consultation closes on 12 October 2023.