Spring 2026 BUS Grant (subject to eligibility) Demand Watch: What the Latest Ofgem Numbers Actually Show

What Do the Latest Ofgem Numbers Say About BUS Demand?

The latest Ofgem numbers show that BUS demand remained strong into spring 2026, with high cumulative application and redemption volumes. According to Ofgem’s monthly scheme update published on 10 March 2026, BUS had received 117,654 voucher applications by 28 February 2026, issued 82,162 vouchers and redeemed 77,549 of them.

That is not a picture of a dormant or slowing scheme.

According to the same Ofgem update, total grants paid had reached £541.1 million by 28 February 2026. So the scheme has already moved far beyond pilot scale and is now a major part of the UK heat-pump market.

For wider context, read our BUS grant (subject to eligibility) complete guide, heat pump cost guide, and April 2026 energy price cap and heat pumps guide.

How Much Budget Was Still Left in Year 4?

There was still money left in the 2025 to 2026 BUS budget at the point of the March 2026 Ofgem update, but not enough to treat funding as infinite. According to Ofgem (10 March 2026), the remaining Year 4 budget stood at £38,247,500 after £256,752,500 had already been spent.

That matters because demand and budget should always be read together.

According to Ofgem’s February 2026 quarterly report, BUS has also benefited from over-allocation mechanisms and previous budget changes designed to maintain continuity. But that is still different from saying every future applicant will definitely get funded without timing risk.

Is Demand Still Growing Fast Enough to Matter in 2026?

Yes, demand is still large enough to matter because the scheme continues to generate substantial application volumes and redemptions deep into Year 4. According to Ofgem’s monthly update, BUS had 78,045 redemption applications received and 77,549 vouchers redeemed by 28 February 2026, which shows installations are moving through the pipeline rather than stalling at application stage.

That redemption strength is a useful sign of real delivery, not only marketing interest.

There are a few reasons demand still matters in spring 2026:

1. the £7,500 grant remains substantial, subject to eligibility
2. planning rules are easier than before
3. EPC-related barriers are being relaxed in the wider policy direction
4. households are still looking for insulation against future fossil-fuel volatility

According to GOV.UK’s winter 2025 clean-heating announcement, 2025 had already become a record-breaking year for heat pumps, with September the best month for BUS applications on record. Spring 2026 should therefore be read as part of an ongoing trend rather than as a one-off spike.

What Should Homeowners Watch If They Plan to Use the BUS Grant (subject to eligibility)?

If you plan to use the BUS grant, you should watch timing, installer capacity, property eligibility and the wider policy backdrop rather than only the headline grant amount. According to Ofgem, voucher applications, voucher issue and voucher redemption are separate stages, which means homeowners need to think about the whole installation path, not just whether the scheme appears open.

That is especially important when demand is healthy and budgets are finite.

The most practical points to watch are:

1. whether your property meets current eligibility rules
2. whether your installer is ready to progress the application promptly
3. whether the annual budget is materially committed
4. whether you should combine the grant with a wider upgrade plan

According to Ofgem’s scheme guidance, vouchers that are issued but later expire, are revoked or withdrawn do not stay in the issued total in the same way as redeemed vouchers. So the most reliable sign of live market momentum is not only applications, but also how many projects reach redemption.

What Does Spring 2026 BUS Demand Mean for London and Surrey Homes?

For London and Surrey homes, strong BUS demand means homeowners should treat the grant as a live opportunity rather than as a future policy concept. According to Ofgem’s March 2026 update, the scheme had already paid more than £541 million in grants, which confirms that households across England and Wales are moving from interest to completed installations at scale.

That local relevance is strongest where:

1. a boiler replacement decision is already approaching
2. the home is reasonably heat-pump-suitable
3. the owner wants to reduce upfront cost
4. the project may later combine with solar or battery storage

In London and Surrey, where homes vary sharply and siting can still be constrained, strong national demand should not push anyone into rushing a poor design. But it does mean the right response is usually to get the property assessed early rather than wait until the next heating failure or policy shift.

It also means homeowners should distinguish between policy urgency and technical urgency. A well-timed survey and eligibility check is useful; a rushed installation decision built around headlines is not. Demand is real, but the project still has to fit the home properly.

For many households, the smartest use of these demand figures is simply to start the conversation earlier. A spring survey gives you more room to resolve EPC, radiator, siting or grant questions before autumn demand rises again.

You may also want to read our heat pump installation process guide, is your home suitable for a heat pump guide, and heat pump and solar combo guide.

How Electromatic Can Help

If you are trying to judge whether the current BUS demand means you should act sooner, Electromatic can assess the property and the likely route properly. According to Ofgem, the scheme remains active with significant application and redemption volume, but the quality of the project still matters more than chasing a headline number.

We help homeowners across London, Surrey and nearby TW areas work out whether the next step is a heat pump route supported by the BUS grant, subject to eligibility, or a broader staged upgrade plan. We work under MCS certification via our accredited umbrella partner, so established low-carbon heating routes follow the correct compliance framework.

If the scheme numbers make you think you need to act quickly, the first practical step is still a proper survey. The strongest BUS projects are the ones that move promptly after the home has been assessed, not the ones that start with assumptions about eligibility or performance.

Book your free home survey →

Call us: 07718 059 284 | Email: admin@electromatic.uk

Frequently Asked Questions

The latest BUS numbers matter because they show both strong demand and real delivery. According to Ofgem’s March 2026 monthly update, the scheme had received 117,654 applications and redeemed 77,549 vouchers, which is why these are the practical questions homeowners should ask now.

How many BUS applications had Ofgem received by March 2026?

Ofgem’s monthly update published on 10 March 2026 says the scheme had received 117,654 voucher applications by 28 February 2026. That is a cumulative figure since the scheme launched.

How much BUS budget was left in Year 4?

According to Ofgem’s March 2026 update, £38,247,500 remained in the Year 4 budget at that point. That means there was still funding left, but not an unlimited amount.

Can I assume the grant will still be there if I wait?

That would be a weak assumption. The scheme remains active, but budgets are annual and demand is real, so it is better to base timing on an actual survey and eligibility check than on guesswork.

Do applications matter more than redemptions?

Both matter, but redemptions are a stronger sign of real market delivery because they show projects reaching completion rather than only entering the queue.

Is the BUS grant (subject to eligibility) still worth checking in spring 2026?

Yes. The £7,500 support is still substantial, subject to eligibility, and Ofgem’s data shows the scheme remains active at scale.

The information in this article is for general guidance only and does not constitute financial, legal, or technical advice. Energy savings estimates are based on typical UK household data from the Energy Saving Trust and Ofgem (April 2026 price cap). Actual savings depend on your property type, insulation levels, energy usage patterns, and electricity tariff. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant of £7,500 is subject to eligibility criteria set by Ofgem — not all properties qualify. Electromatic M&E Ltd operates under MCS certification via an accredited umbrella partner. All installations comply with Building Regulations Part L and MCS standards. E&OE.

Written by Electromatic M&E Ltd — ASHP & Solar installer, London & Surrey (electromatic.uk)

Last updated: April 2026 | Electromatic M&E Ltd, Company No. 13837345