Who Qualifies For a Boiler Grant? Complete 2025 Guide

UK boilers decrease in efficiency over time, with the average boiler lasting between 10 to 15 years. Replacing an old boiler is essential, especially during the UK’s ongoing energy crisis. Functional boilers will help reduce your energy consumption, which contributes to lower energy bills and helps cut carbon emissions.

However, new boiler costs can be expensive and range between £1,600 - £6,000. Thankfully, there are several UK government backed boiler grant schemes available to help offset these costs. When researching these schemes, it is important to understand who qualifies for a boiler grant.

In this GreenMatch guide, we will go into detail on boiler grant eligibility, the types available and how they work, and help you determine whether you are eligible for boiler grants in the UK.

Another smart way to reduce costs for a new boiler is by working with a qualified boiler specialist. Finding one who suits your needs and budget can be tricky, due to price differences and quality concerns. Luckily, GreenMatch is here to help. By filling out our 30-second form, we can provide you with up to 3 free quotes from the very best boiler specialists in your area. 

Click below to learn more.

The boiler upgrade scheme provides biomass boiler grants of up to £5,000 to encourage property owners in England and Wales to replace existing fossil fuel boilers with a low-carbon alternative. The average cost of biomass boilers typically ranges from £9,000 to £20,000 (including installation).

Here is who qualifies for a boiler grant under this scheme:

To apply for this grant you must work with a MCS certified installer who will confirm your eligibility, provide an estimated quote for installation and then contact Ofgem on your behalf. Once the grant has been approved, the total amount will be deducted from your invoice. 

The ECO4 scheme, which is funded by large energy companies, focuses on helping low-income households in England, Scotland and Wales to improve their energy rating and help reduce their carbon emissions. This is achieved through free boiler replacements or offering partial subsidies to offset new boiler costs. Here are the boiler grant eligibility criteria for the ECO4 scheme:

It is important to note that this free boiler replacement for pensioners will not affect the winter fuel payment for those who are eligible for this scheme. It will just mean that your payment will stretch a bit more with a more efficient boiler.

To apply for this grant scheme, you will need to gather all the necessary documents to 

 to confirm you are eligible. Once the documents have been gathered, contact a certified installer or energy supplier who will assess your eligibility. If the application is successful, a home inspection will be carried out to ensure your property is suitable for this grant. 

The ECO4 Flex scheme is a branch of the ECO4 scheme that helps low-income households who may not be eligible for certain benefits. Eligibility for this grant falls under the following criteria:

Application is the same as the ECO4 scheme, where necessary documentation such as proof of income is needed, and the application is completed through a qualified boiler installer, energy company or local authority.

The Affordable Warmth Scheme helps low-income and poor fuel households upgrade or replace their boilers. This grant falls under the UK’s government ECO scheme and is only accessible to people living in Northern Ireland. You may have boiler grant eligibility for this scheme if you meet the following criteria:

To apply for this scheme, you will need to contact the NI Energy Advice Service either via email or phone. They will then organise a home inspection to determine if you are eligible for this scheme and calculate how much grant aid you will receive based on your criteria. 

The UK Government has set a 0% to 5% VAT rate on energy saving materials, such as boilers, allowing professional installers to apply a flat rate to their customers. This means that the standard 20% VAT is removed from these specific materials, making boiler replacement more affordable. 

While this scheme will impact the costs of a boiler, it is important to note that this will primarily affect and be controlled by the installer, as it will be up to them to dictate the correct rate of VAT. It is also important to note that not all products and services qualify for this scheme so it is essential to check with the installer before making your purchase. 

In England, Scotland, and Wales, you will be eligible for a lower rate of VAT on certain products. However, in Northern Ireland, a reduction of VAT is only eligible for those who are over 60 years old or receiving certain benefits such as child tax credit, housing benefit or working tax credit. 

Upgrading to a new boiler can be costly, and the average price can range between £1,600 to £6,000. The cost a new boiler is determined by the type, brand and labour fees. Here is the average cost of boilers in the UK per type: 

Boiler grants help offset these costs if you fit into the specific criteria. Applying and obtaining a boiler grant will come at no cost to you at all. All applications are free, and so are the home inspections that are required by certain grant schemes, such as the ECO4 and Affordable Warmth Scheme. 

You can get a free boiler in the UK if you meet the grant scheme criteria for the ECO4 and Affordable Warmth Schemes in the UK. Below is the list of who is eligible for a free boiler in the UK:

While boiler grant eligibility can be strict here in the UK, you don't need to fret about paying a hefty amount if you do not fall under the criteria. There are several different boiler finance options to help offset and alleviate the cost of a new boiler. Here's an overview of some prominent providers and their offerings:

The most effective way to reduce costs and find the best grants or finance options available to you is to work alongside a trusted boiler specialist. Here, they can help determine whether you are eligible for a boiler grant and offer alternative finance options. 

However, finding a trusted boiler specialist can be time-consuming with multiple quotes to compare and no guarantee of the right fit. That’s why using GreenMatch’s service can help. By filling out our quick 30-second form, we can provide you with up to 3 free quotes from the very best boiler installers in your area. That way, you can save time and money on a new boiler system. 

Click below to learn more.

Finding the best boiler deals in your area is important to ensure you are getting the most competitive price and are provided with the best service available. To find the best deal in your area, you must compare multiple quotes from different suppliers. While this is a time-consuming process, it has many advantages:

While it is essential to compare multiple quotes, we understand that your time is valuable. Here at GreenMatch, we can offer a solution to help you avoid hours spent searching for multiple quotes from local installers. 

By filling out our 30-second form, we can provide you with up to 3 free quotes from the best local boiler specialists in your area. This lets you compare and choose the best deal that suits your needs without having to spend hours looking for installers on your own. 

Click below to learn more.