Short explainer

Do You Still Need an EPC for a Heat Pump Grant in 2026?

A clear answer, with the date and source context attached to it.

Published: 1 April 2026 Last reviewed: 2 April 2026

Last reviewed: 2 April 2026 against the Ofgem BUS scheme page and the March 2026 draft installer guidance v5.

If this relates to a live job, our heat pump survey page explains what we capture before design.

Short answer

For retrofit BUS applications, the draft Ofgem guidance says a valid EPC is no longer required for applications properly made on or after 28 April 2026.

What that does not mean

It does not mean surveys can be lighter.
It does not mean heat loss assumptions no longer matter.
It does not mean the accredited installer carries less responsibility for the application.

What to check instead

Question	Practical check
Is there still a valid EPC?	If yes, keep the reference clearly. If not, do not assume the property background is already covered elsewhere.
Can the survey stand on its own?	Fabric, glazing, heating, electrics, and room data should be clear enough for the office and designer to use without leaning on an EPC.
Does the customer have useful supporting paperwork?	Expired EPCs, utility bills, and previous records can still help background understanding even when they are not a formal requirement.

What matters

The EPC rule is becoming lighter at application stage. The survey and installer judgement still carry the practical workload.

Sources

For the fuller picture, read the main BUS changes guide. If you need the live off-grid grant update, use the BUS £9,000 oil and LPG grant page.

Practical use

How to use this page on a live job

Use this guide as a decision check, not as a generic reading page. The useful question is whether the evidence behind do you still need an epc for a heat pump grant in 2026? is strong enough for an installer, designer, or homeowner to move to the next step without another round of avoidable questions.

Before booking

Confirm what evidence is missing

For epc evidence, the weak point is usually not the headline requirement. It is the missing photo, document, measurement, or site note that stops the next person from trusting the job record.

During survey

Capture the detail once, then label it properly

A survey report should show what was seen, what was measured, what could not be accessed, and what still needs a design or installer decision. That keeps assumptions visible instead of hiding them inside a photo set.

After delivery

Use the report to reduce internal handover friction

The office, design, and install teams should be able to open the same report and understand the evidence path. If the page helps you spot what to ask for before survey day, it has done its job.

For a live project, pair this guidance with the sample report, deliverables, and guide price builder so the job is reviewed against the same standard Vertex uses for survey delivery.