Figures from DESNZ show that October was a new record for the boiler upgrade scheme (BUS) with the total number of applications for BUS vouchers during October at nearly 4,000 for all types, a 20 per cent increase on September and 15 per cent higher year on year.

This makes October the most successful moth since the scheme began, and until the end of October 2024, there were 58,952 BUS voucher applications received. The majority of these were for grants towards air sourced heat pump (ASHP) installations at 97 per cent.

The regional breakdown for grants paid continued to be broadly similar to previous months. Of the total number of grants paid, the largest number were for installations at properties in the South East (20 per cent), followed by the South West (18 per cent). The fewest number of grants were from the North East region (3 per cent). Of all grants paid on the scheme so far, the majority have been towards installations at properties in rural areas.

The largest proportion, half, replaced gas systems, followed by oil and then properties which did not previously have a heating system at all.

The median cost of an ASHP and GSHP since the start of the scheme has been £12,995 and £25,000, respectively (including the grant value). The median cost of a shared ground loop GSHP was £21,765.

Due to this increase in applications, the Secretary of State has recently approved an increase to the budget and given Ofgem permission to over-allocate vouchers.

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