Can I Get A Grant For A New Boiler In The UK?

In a recent survey compiled by Which?, it was found that 1 in 13 UK homeowners cannot afford a new boiler if a replacement unit costs between £1,500 and £3,500.

Currently, according to the same survey, the typical household in the UK has only set aside £765 for boiler repairs.

Along with energy poverty remaining widespread, can UK citizens apply for a grant for a new free boiler, following the height of the cost-of-living crisis?

The short answer is yes, there are grants available for UK citizens in need of a new free boiler.

What UK Grants Supply New Free Boilers?

There are several grants and schemes available to UK citizens looking to upgrade their boilers or home insulation.

These options include:

Energy Company Obligation (ECO4)

ECO4 is the latest phase of the government’s Energy Company Obligation.

This programme requires the biggest energy suppliers in the UK (those with more than 150,000 customers) to help fund energy-saving measures in eligible homes.

The scheme is overseen by Ofgem, ensuring that energy companies hit their carbon reduction targets by delivering practical improvements where they’re needed most.

Successful applicant households do not need to pay for any of the completed upgrades to their properties.

Core Goals Of ECO4

Since its introduction, the goal of ECO4 has been to meet three core objectives.

ECO4’s first priority is cutting fuel poverty. By installing energy-efficient upgrades, the scheme helps households bring down energy bills and makes heating more affordable.

Alongside this, it also works to lower carbon emissions. Upgrading homes across the UK directly reduces national energy use and supports the country’s net-zero commitments.

Finally, ECO4 is about future-proofing homes. With measures like modern heating systems, improved insulation, and renewable energy solutions, the scheme promotes long-term efficiency and comfort.

What Is Covered By ECO4?

ECO4 focuses on the improvements that make the most significant difference to energy use, comfort, and bills.

Here’s what’s on the list:

Insulation Upgrades

Insulation is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stop heat escaping and keep homes warmer for less.

That’s why ECO4 prioritises older properties where insulation is often lacking.

Key measures include:

• Loft insulation – stops heat escaping through the roof.
• Cavity wall insulation – fills wall gaps to reduce draughts and retain warmth.
• Solid wall insulation – available as internal or external options to tackle homes without cavities.

Heating System Upgrades

Outdated or inefficient heating systems are a massive drain on both energy and money.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, swapping a G-rated boiler for an A-rated model with full heating controls could save up to £420 a year in Great Britain and £500 in Northern Ireland.

That’s why ECO4 supports:

• Replacing or repairing old boilers.
• Installing central heating where none exists.
• Adding smart controls and programmable thermostats to optimise usage.

Renewable Energy Solutions

Beyond making homes more efficient, ECO4 also encourages households to produce their own clean energy where possible.

Eligible renewable options may include:

• Solar panels – generate electricity and reduce reliance on the grid.
• Air source heat pumps – efficient systems that provide heating and hot water.

Windows and Doors (Limited Scope)

While not the primary focus, ECO4 may also cover minor improvements such as secondary glazing or draught-proofing doors, depending on the property.

Who Is Eligible For ECO4?

The ECO4 scheme is aimed at households that meet certain criteria. Here’s what matters most:

Your Home’s Energy Rating

ECO4’s main goal is to make homes warmer and more efficient.

If you have draughty rooms, rising energy bills, or an ageing boiler, your house probably isn’t performing as well as it could.

To qualify, your property needs an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F, or G. The lower the rating, the less efficient your home.

Not sure of your EPC? You can check it for free online via the government’s EPC register.

EPCs are valid for 10 years, and if you’re renting, your landlord should have the details.

Household Benefits

ECO4 is designed to support families struggling with energy costs.

If you or anyone in your household receives certain income-related benefits, you’re likely eligible.

These include:

• Universal Credit (UC)
• Child or Working Tax Credit (CTC / WTC)
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income Support (IS)
• Housing Benefit
• Pension Credit (Guarantee or Savings Credit)
• Child Benefit (within set income limits)
• Warm Home Discount recipients

The best part? Only one person in your household needs to be on a qualifying benefit — it doesn’t even have to be the homeowner.

No Benefits? Check Out ECO Flex

Even if you’re not on benefits, you might still qualify through Local Authority Flexible Eligibility (LA Flex).

This allows councils to put households forward based on circumstances such as:

• A combined household income below £31,000 per year
• Health conditions made worse by living in a cold, inefficient home

It’s worth contacting your local council to see if they’re part of the ECO Flex programme.

How To Apply For The ECO4 Scheme

If you meet all the criteria for assistance from the ECO4 Scheme, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Choose a TrustMark-Registered Installer

You can’t apply directly through the government, as all applications have to be submitted through accredited installers or energy providers.

This could be one of the big suppliers like British Gas, EDF, E.ON, Octopus, OVO, or Scottish Power, or a specialist ECO4 partner such as Interglow, EcoGiants, or BTS Grants.

Whichever route you take, make sure your installer is TrustMark-registered and works to PAS 2030 standards.

That way, you know they’re officially approved to deliver ECO4-funded improvements.

Step 2: Home Energy Assessment

Next, your provider will arrange a free assessment of your home. An energy assessor will look at:

• How well your property is insulated
• The efficiency of your current heating system
• Other potential upgrades that could cut your energy costs

This visit confirms which measures you’re eligible for and ensures the upgrades will make a real difference.

Step 3: Approval & Installation

Once your application is signed off, your installer will schedule the work.

Depending on your property, this could mean adding insulation, swapping an inefficient boiler, or even fitting renewable solutions like solar panels.

The upgrades are booked at a time that works for you, and in most cases, the costs are fully covered by the scheme.

Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is a government programme designed to accelerate the switch from fossil-fuel heating to cleaner, low-carbon alternatives.

Instead of offering free upgrades like ECO4, the BUS provides upfront grants to homeowners and landlords in England and Wales who are replacing their existing gas, oil, or LPG boilers with greener systems.

The scheme is administered by Ofgem and runs until 31 December 2027, with grants applied directly through certified installers.

Goals Of Bus?

BUS was introduced to achieve three main objectives:

• Support the UK’s net-zero targets by encouraging households to install low-carbon heating systems.
• Lower household emissions by replacing fossil-fuel systems with efficient alternatives such as heat pumps and biomass boilers.
• Make greener technologies more affordable by reducing the upfront cost barrier for homeowners.

What Is Covered by BUS?

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme doesn’t cover every energy-saving measure.

Instead, it focuses on a small set of high-impact, low-carbon heating systems:

• Air Source Heat Pumps can obtain a grant of £7,500
• Ground Source Heat Pumps (including water-source) grant of £7,500
• Biomass Boilers can qualify for a grant of £5,000 (restricted to rural, off-gas-grid homes)

These grants are one-time contributions per property and are deducted directly from your installer’s quote.

Who Is Eligible for BUS?

The scheme is available to a wide range of property owners, but there are some key conditions:

Your Property

• Must be located in England or Wales.
• Must be an existing property, as new builds are excluded, unless it’s a self-build.
• Needs a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). If the EPC recommends basic insulation (like loft or cavity wall), this must be installed first.

Heating System Replacement

• You must be replacing an existing fossil-fuel system (gas, oil, electric, or LPG).
• Hybrid systems are not covered.
• Biomass boilers are only eligible for funding if the property is located in a rural area and is not connected to the gas grid.

If you currently live in a social housing complex or in a property that has already received government funding for a low-carbon heating system, you will not be able to apply for financing for BUS.

How to Apply for the BUS Scheme

Like ECO4, applying for assistance from the BUS scheme is an installer-led process.

However, the steps are easy to follow:

Step 1: Find an MCS-Certified Installer

Look for an installer certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

They must also be part of a recognised consumer code (like RECC or HIES) to protect you as a customer.

Step 2: Home Assessment

Your installer will assess whether your property is suitable for a heat pump or biomass boiler.

They’ll also confirm that your EPC is valid and that any required insulation measures are in place.

Step 3: Voucher Application & Installation

The installer applies to Ofgem for a BUS voucher on your behalf.

Once approved, the grant amount is automatically deducted from your quote.

The system must be commissioned and the voucher redeemed within 120 days.

Local And Charitable Schemes

Not every route to a free or subsidised boiler comes from national programmes like ECO4 or the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

In many cases, local councils, charities, and community initiatives can step in to provide urgent support, especially when a boiler breaks down unexpectedly in a vulnerable household.

Beyond isolated grants, there are other sources of help worth exploring:

Household Support Funds

Emergency funds distributed through local councils are often used to cover essential costs, such as heating repairs.

Warm Home Discount

A one-off winter discount on electricity bills that may free up money for other essentials.

Energy Supplier Hardship Funds

Many providers (such as British Gas Energy Trust, E.ON Energy Fund, and EDF’s Customer Support Fund) run their own grant programmes to help customers in financial distress.

Turn2Us

A national charity that connects households with grants and support based on their circumstances.

Local Council Welfare Schemes

Councils may offer small emergency grants, vouchers, or funding towards heating repairs, especially for households with children, elderly residents, or people with health conditions.

These local and charitable routes are not as widely advertised as ECO4 or BUS, so many households don’t realise they exist.

If you’re struggling, it’s worth contacting your local council, speaking directly with your energy supplier, or checking with charities like Turn2Us to see if there’s help available in your area.

However, if you’ve exhausted all your options for an affordable boiler, you might need to consider financing it.

Flexible Finance Solutions For A New Boiler

Ready for a new boiler but worried about the upfront cost?

With WarmZilla, you don’t have to put your plans on hold.

We offer incredibly flexible finance options that let you spread the cost of your new boiler into manageable monthly payments.

No significant lump sum is required, which helps alleviate financial stress.

Get the warmth you need today and pay in a way that suits your budget.

Find your boiler and explore finance options with WarmZilla today!