Industry welcomes Boiler Upgrade Scheme expansion

The government’s decision to extend the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) to include air-to-air heat pumps has been welcomed by some firms in the sector, who say it will be a major catalyst for a residential air conditioning market in the UK.

The scheme’s extension means that households will be able to access grant support for air-to-air heat pumps for the first time. The announcement could represent a significant shift in how these systems are viewed in the UK, seeing them as high-performance heating appliances – an application used widely in other markets – rather than cooling-only units.

David Dunn, managing director, UK & Ireland for Carrier CSE-R Europe, said: “This update has the potential to kick-start a new residential air-conditioning market in the UK. Air-to-air systems have often been seen as specialist products chosen for summer cooling, but they also provide efficient heating and therefore year-round comfort. Recognising them under BUS brings greater choice for homeowners and supports the UK’s direction of travel towards decarbonisation.”

The expansion is particularly significant for properties that have historically struggled to adopt traditional air-to-water heat pumps, such as apartments and flats. Many of these homes rely on older direct electric or storage heating with lower efficiency. Multi-split systems, which allow one outdoor unit to serve multiple rooms, offer a practical upgrade path.

“Much of the UK housing stock needs solutions beyond conventional heat pump configurations,” added Dunn. “Air-to-air systems, along with emerging electric technologies, offer flexibility and efficiency where other approaches may not be suitable. Seeing the government recognise this range of solutions is very positive for the industry.”