BUS Offset Process

Initial Desktop Survey & Design Consultation
Spire Renewables will provide an indicative specification based on a desktop survey of their home to predict the total heat pump
size and an indicative quotation.
This will conducted be using one of the following:

  1. An Existing EPC
  2. A completed Spire Renewables Survey form detailing Room Sizes / Building fabrics and information on the current heating system, heat emitters and pipe sizing.
  3. Proposed plans if substantial works at the property are planned OR if the property is a new build / self-build.
    At this point Spire Renewables will also check if the property is eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. If the customer wishes to
    proceed, the EPC may need updating to qualify or further supporting information may be required. If the property isn’t eligible under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, the client will be made aware prior to proceeding with the works.

Site Survey & Quotation
Following positive feedback regarding the indicative proposal, Spire Renewables will require payment of the design stage
payment to formally refine the design and produce a final quotation. Spire Renewables will then conduct an on-site
survey of the client’s home to confirm the details of the design specification. We will plan the location of external ASHP unit and
connections to the plant room area.
Spire Renewables will then provide a formal quotation/s and require the ‘Acceptance’ page to be signed & dated by the client
before proceeding with the next stage of the process.
If all or part of an existing heating system is being retained at the property it is strongly recommended that a full power
flush/system cleaning of the central heating system is carried out prior to installing or upgrading any heat emitters, to ensure
system efficiency and long-term performance.

Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
Applications for the Government Incentive the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), are subject to several eligibility requirements and
they are assessed and determined by OFGEM.
When a BUS application is approved by OFGEM, a £7,500 voucher is issued with a unique GID number and a 12-week validity
period. Approval confirms eligibility but does not release the funding.
Delivery of physical materials for the project will not commence until the BUS application has been approved by Ofgem and a
voucher issued. Spire Renewables Limited will not be held liable for delays arising from the Ofgem approval process. To
release the materials the Internal Plant Room Materials Stage Payment will need to be made (this will be in part refunded –
depending on contract value – once the BUS voucher is redeemed at the end of the project).
Depending on whether the project is a self-build or retrofit, additional documentation may be required before submission of the
BUS application. This may include, but is not limited to:

  • A valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) – Retrofit only
  • Planning permission – Self Build only
  • Property title deeds – Self Build only
  • Invoices for high-value materials – Self Build only

The Client is responsible for providing all required documentation promptly. Failure to supply accurate and timely information
will delay the BUS application submission.
To offset the BUS grant against a project, the voucher must be redeemed within the 12-week validity period. This requires the
heat pump system to be fully commissioned and compliant, all relevant MCS documentation to be completed, and a valid, up-todate Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to be in place. The final invoice will reflect the BUS grant deduction only once Ofgem confirms successful redemption of the voucher:

  1. The client acknowledges that the BUS voucher has a strict validity period. If the voucher expires before installation and commissioning is completed, the grant may be forfeited (subject to available voucher numbers), and in this situation the client will remain liable for payment of the full contract value of the project.
  2. If a voucher expires, Spire Renewables may, at its discretion submit a new BUS application on behalf of the client. Any such application will be treated as a new submission subject to Ofgem approval with a new validity period. No guarantee is given that a replacement voucher will be issued and charges may apply.

ASHP Installation Terms & Conditions – Timeframe
Spire Renewables will split the delivery into two stages – the internal plant room materials and the external ASHP.
Once the BUS voucher is approved, the design work is completed, a finalised quotation agreed and stage payment 1 is paid to Spire Renewables the internal plant room will be released.
Before the second delivery of the ASHP equipment is delivered, a commissioning date will need to be agreed.
The proposed heating engineer must complete the final installation of the heat pump within 10 working days of delivery, and the commissioning will be arranged to match this timescale.
If the installation is not completed and ready for commissioning by the agreed date, any outstanding balance relating to the
supplied equipment may be subject to interest at the discretion of Spire Renewables.
Such amounts shall accrue interest at a rate of £100 per week, calculated daily, from the agreed commissioning date until the
BUS Voucher can be redeemed, and the installation is up to MCS / Building Regulation standards.
The application of interest, including its commencement and cessation, shall be determined in accordance with these Terms and
Conditions.
In the event of the project undergoing substantial delays, through no fault of Spire Renewables, resulting in a delay from commissioning of delivery of the external ASHP product for more than 4 weeks, Spire Renewables reserves the right to seek full payment of the outstanding balance.
Delays to installation, commissioning, documentation, or EPC availability may also prevent the BUS voucher from being redeemed before expiry. In such cases, the BUS grant funding may be lost and cannot be applied to the project. The client will therefore be responsible for payment of the full contract value of the project, together with any agreed variations.
Ownership of the heating equipment shall remain with Spire Renewables and or its appointed suppliers and shall not transfer to
the client until the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) voucher has been successfully redeemed.

Commissioning, Compliance, and Payment
Spire Renewables will attend site to commission the heating system.
If any MCS non-conformities are identified during commissioning, these must be fully resolved before an MCS certificate can be
issued. The client will be informed in advance of relevant requirements through guidance documents, site visits, and technical
support.
The client shall have seven (7) days from the commissioning date to rectify any identified non-conformities and to provide
satisfactory photographic and documentary evidence of completion.
Failure to resolve non-conformities within this period will prevent MCS certification and BUS grant redemption. In such
circumstances, the client shall remain fully responsible for payment of the full contract value of the project, together with any
agreed variations, regardless of whether the BUS grant is received.
All payments due to Spire Renewables shall be made in accordance with the agreed payment terms. Any sums not paid by the
due date shall accrue interest at a rate of £100 per week, calculated daily until payment is made in full.
The final invoice will reflect the BUS grant deduction only when OFGEM confirms successful redemption of the voucher.
Spire Renewables shall not be liable for any delay, loss, cost, or non-payment arising from the client’s failure to achieve
compliance with MCS, BUS, or any other applicable regulatory or scheme requirements.
Where non-conformities remain unresolved beyond fourteen (14) days from the commissioning date, Spire Renewables reserves
the right, without prejudice to any other rights or remedies, to suspend technical support, commissioning assistance, and grant
administration services until full compliance is achieved.
Where non-compliance continues for more than twenty-eight (28) days from the commissioning date, Spire Renewables reserves
the right to terminate this agreement with immediate effect and recover any outstanding sums, losses, or costs incurred as a
result of the client’s default.
Title to and ownership of all equipment, materials, and goods supplied by Spire Renewables shall remain with Spire Renewables
until payment in full has been received for all sums due under this agreement.
In the event of non-payment or material breach of this agreement, Spire Renewables reserves the right to enter the installation
site, upon reasonable notice, to recover or repossess any goods supplied which remain unpaid. The client shall ensure access is
granted and shall not obstruct or prevent such recovery. Any reasonable costs incurred by Spire Renewables in recovering goods
shall be recoverable from the client.
Spire Renewables will provide end-user training on the operation of the heat pump system and will offer reasonable technical
support during and after installation, subject to the client’s ongoing compliance with this agreement.