Who Qualifies for a Boiler Grant? | Are you Eligible? (October 2024)

Are you wondering if you qualify for a free boiler grant? If so, you've come to the right place. The ECO4 grant can help UK residents obtain boiler repairs or even a new boiler, but there are multiple eligibility criteria, including income thresholds and minimum home energy requirements. This page covers how you can apply and helps you to determine whether you qualify for a free boiler grant scheme in 2024.

In addition to information on boiler grants, we can help you get quotes for top-quality boilers that fit your home’s requirements. All our quotes come completely free and without any obligation, with little effort on your part. Just click the button below, fill out a 30-second form, and get up to 3 free quotes, ensuring a more comfortable and energy-efficient home for you and your family.

^{Please note: We can help you determine whether you are eligible for a grant, but you cannot obtain a grant for a free boiler through GreenMatch.}

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme is a UK government initiative designed to help low-income households improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Energy companies fund the scheme and aim to reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty by providing financial assistance for energy-efficient home improvements.

This is the 4th iteration of the Energy Company Obligation, set to end in 2028, with a 5th one potentially on the way in the future. The primary focus of the ECO schemes is to provide free boiler grants to eligible households in the UK (sadly, this excludes Northern Ireland).

A new boiler can significantly improve a home's energy efficiency, reduce energy bills, and lower carbon emissions. So, who qualifies for a boiler grant? You must meet certain criteria to be eligible:

In addition to free boiler grants, the ECO scheme also offers funding for other energy-efficient home improvements, such as insulation, heating controls, and renewable energy systems. The aim is to help households reduce their energy bills, improve the comfort of their homes, and contribute to the UK's target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

If you're wondering whether you can get a free boiler grant, the answer could be yes. You may be eligible for financial assistance through the UK government's Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme.

So, to qualify for a free boiler grant, you must meet certain eligibility criteria. The table below provides an overview of the different types of households that may be eligible for a free boiler grant under the ECO scheme:

By looking at the table above, you can easily determine if you’re eligible for a grant for a new boiler. Also, note the application process is straightforward and typically involves completing an online application form or contacting an approved ECO installer directly.

Pensioners are among the groups that can benefit from the UK government's free boiler grant scheme via ECO. The scheme is designed to help low-income households, including pensioners, to replace their inefficient boilers with more energy-efficient ones. This can help reduce their energy bills and warm their homes in winter.

Pensioners can apply for several energy-saving installations if they are on one of these policies:

However, there are certain criteria that pensioners must meet in order to qualify for the grant. To find out if you, as a pensioner, are eligible for a free boiler grant, you can ask local authorities who can inform you.

This might leave you wondering, “Can I get help with a new boiler if I am not on benefits?”. Thankfully, yes you can. To obtain free boilers for pensioners not on benefits, it's possible to apply with Working Tax Credits and Universal Credit as well.

Yes, single parents qualify for the free boiler grant scheme in the UK. The scheme is designed to help low-income households, including single-parent households, to replace their old and inefficient boilers with newer, more energy-efficient ones. This can help reduce energy bills and provide families with a more comfortable living environment.

You must meet certain eligibility criteria to qualify for a free boiler grant as a single parent. This includes being a homeowner or a tenant in a privately rented property and receiving certain qualifying benefits such as Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance, or Working Tax Credit. You must also have a boiler that is inefficient and in need of replacement.

On the plus side, rates for single parents are more lenient compared to those of couples.

If you think you may be eligible for a free boiler grant as a single parent, you should check with your local authority or a professional installer.

At GreenMatch, we can help you find the right professional. Simply fill out our form to receive up to 3 quotes from our network of boiler installation experts. There’s no need to spend hours scouring the internet to find the best installer for your boiler. Our services are free, and you are not obligated to accept any quotes received. Click the button below to get started.

^{Please note: We can help you determine whether you are eligible for a grant, but you cannot obtain a grant for a free boiler through GreenMatch.}

Yes, it is possible to obtain funding from the ECO4 scheme without being on benefits. The Local Authority Flexible Eligibility criteria (LA Flex) can expand the eligibility, adding homes with incomes lower than £31K, select health issues that are exacerbated by cold environments, and entitlement to select government programs.

Here is a list of government programs covered for homes that may not qualify for benefits (LA Flex can apply to homes that meet 2 of the following criteria):

There is no cost for boiler grants or applying for one. While some households may be eligible for a free boiler replacement, others may only receive a partial subsidy from the government, and there are no fees or charges for the application process.

In terms of savings on the boiler, accepted applicants may receive a new boiler or repairs on their older boiler. This will depend on what is deemed appropriate based on the survey of the home.

It's important to note that the cost of a boiler replacement can vary depending on a variety of factors, such as the type of boiler, the size of your home, and the complexity of the installation.

Fortunately, options are available to help homeowners offset the cost of a new boiler. For example, the government's ECO4 scheme offers free boiler replacements to qualifying households while providing partial subsidies to others. Additionally, some energy suppliers also offer schemes to help homeowners with the cost of a boiler replacement.

So, by working with a qualified installer, you can determine which type of boiler is best for your home and also explore financing options that can help make the cost of a boiler replacement more manageable. Remember, acting quickly if your boiler needs to be replaced is important to ensure your home remains warm and comfortable.

Apart from the ECO scheme mentioned on this page, there are other boiler offers available in the UK that homeowners and tenants may be eligible for, most notable: 0% VAT on energy-saving materials.

The 0% VAT scheme is available to homeowners or tenants with a boiler that is over two years old. This grant covers the cost of a new boiler installation with a reduced VAT rate of 0%. This can save a significant amount of money on the total cost of a new boiler installation.

In Northern Ireland, the Boiler Replacement Scheme was available till September 2023. This scheme provided a grant to cover the cost of a new boiler installation.

Altogether, these grants provide valuable assistance to homeowners and tenants who need to upgrade their boilers for energy efficiency and cost-saving reasons. These are the other best options if you are not eligible for an ECO grant or want to choose the one that suits you. By taking advantage of these grants, individuals can enjoy the benefits of a new, more efficient boiler without breaking the bank.

A simple roadmap for free boiler grant application: 

Check your eligibility

Applying for free boiler grants in the UK can be simple if you follow the right steps. Firstly, you will need to check if you are eligible for the grant. You can do this by visiting the government's website or contacting your local energy supplier.

Find an accredited installer

Once you have confirmed your eligibility, you will need to find an accredited installer who can carry out the installation for you.

Complete the application form

Next, you must complete the application form, which you can do online or by post. The form will require you to provide information about your current boiler and heating system and your household income and benefits. It is important to ensure that you fill in all the required information accurately and honestly, as any incorrect information could result in your application being rejected.

To apply, you will need to:

List your personal details (name, address, contact info, etc.).
Show proof of home ownership.
Provide details of your current boiler and the reasons for replacement.
Add the quote provided by the approved installer.
Give any additional information requested by the grant provider.

Wait for the application to be reviewed

After submitting your application, it will be reviewed by the relevant authorities to determine if you meet the criteria for the grant. If your application is successful, you will be notified, and arrangements will be made to install your new boiler.

In some cases, you may be instructed to contribute towards the cost of the installation. However, this will depend on your individual circumstances and will be determined during the application process.

Make arrangements for the installation of your new boiler

Make sure you provide enough area for the engineer to work and install your boiler. Create a clear pathway, put away any debris, and move furniture if necessary so the engineer can work. If you don’t already, figure out where the water and gas mains are and identify the fuse box.

It’s also important to plan for not having heating or hot water while the installation progresses. Stock up on water and make sure you won’t need it (take a shower, make food, etc.).

If you haven’t found an installer, you will need to do that as well. We understand that your time is valuable and your schedule may be hectic. That's why we can provide you with a reputable platform to facilitate the connection between you and a professional installer in your area.

By completing our form, which takes only 30 seconds, you will receive up to 3 quotes from our installer network. This feature lets you compare and choose the best deal that suits your needs without having to spend hours looking for installers on your own. Our service is completely free of charge, with no payment obligation. You can explore the options available and compare prices for free.

Click the button below to get started.

^{Please note: We can help you determine whether you are eligible for a grant, but you cannot obtain a grant for a free boiler through GreenMatch.}