Government Boiler Scheme: Eligibility, Benefits & Process

The government free boiler scheme is one way in which low-income families in the UK can get completely free boilers. This is through the ECO4 scheme – a government initiative to build energy-efficient homes, reduce the amount spent on heating bills, and lower carbon emissions.

If you have an old inefficient gas boiler and you can’t afford to have it replaced, then this scheme may be able to help. But who qualifies? What are the benefits? And how does it all work? Let’s have a look:

What Is the Government Boiler Scheme?

The government boiler grant is a scheme where homeowners and some private tenants can have their inefficient gas boilers replaced free of charge or at a reduced cost.

It's funded by the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme. That's where the big energy suppliers — like British Gas, E.ON, and EDF — are legally required to help low-income families use less energy.

The main goal is to:

• Replace old inefficient gas boilers that waste energy.
• Saved energy bills by installing more efficient boilers.
• Cut carbon emissions to assist in combating climate change.

If you have a non-condensing boiler that's over 15 years old, you may qualify for a free replacement.

Who Is Eligible for the Government Boiler Scheme?

It's not everyone who can get a free boiler under this scheme. You need to meet some criteria.

Here's a brief summary of who is eligible:

1. Homeowners or Private Tenants

• You must be a homeowner or renting from a private landlord.
• Council tenants and housing association tenants don’t normally qualify — though they might have other energy schemes that they can use.

1. Low-Income Households

You’ll probably qualify if your annual income is below £31,000 or you’re receiving certain government benefits, such as:

• Universal Credit
• Pension Credit (Guaranteed or Savings)
• Income Support
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit
• Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

If you do not receive benefits but are on a low income and have a poorly insulated home, you might still qualify under the LA Flex scheme. This enables local authorities to help more people in need.

1. Inefficient, Old Boilers

Your current boiler must be:

• Gas-fired — other than oil, electric, and back boilers.
• Non-condensing — most boilers installed before 2005 are non-condensing.
• Over 15 years old — these older models waste a lot of energy.

1. Low Energy-Efficiency Rating (EPC)

Your property needs to have a low Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating:

• E, F, or G
• If your home is A to D rated, you probably won't qualify.

The aim is to help the most difficult-to-heat homes.

What Types of Boilers Are Covered?

The plan primarily includes gas boilers — particularly combi boilers — as most households in the UK are heated with gas.

The following boilers are included:

Combi Boilers (most common)

• Heats water as needed — no water tank is necessary.
• Ideal for apartments or small homes.
• Energy-saving and compact.

System Boilers

• It employs a hot water cylinder but no cold water tank.
• Perfect for homes with more than one bathroom.
• Perfect if you need lots of hot water at the same time.

Regular Boilers (heat-only boilers)

• Requires both a hot water cylinder and a cold water tank.
• Ideal for older properties with traditional heating systems.
• Typically replaced with a combi boiler under the scheme.

Well-known boiler brands available under the scheme are:

• Worcester Bosch — famous for its energy-efficient and reliable models.
• Ideal — cheap and ideal for small homes.
• Vaillant — eco-friendly and quiet boilers.
• Viessmann — highly efficient and great at minimising energy wastage.

Its purpose is to replace old, non-condensing gas boilers with new high-efficiency boilers.

What are the Benefits of the Government Boiler Scheme?

A new boiler can make a huge difference to your home and finances. This is how the scheme can help:

1. Lowered Energy Bills

A new condensing boiler rated A is far more efficient than an old boiler. It uses less gas, which can cut your heating bills by hundreds of pounds every year.

1. Free Installation

The grant covers the full cost of a new boiler for the majority of eligible homes. You may need to contribute a little in certain circumstances, but it’s much cheaper than buying a new boiler outright.

1. A Warmer Home

New boilers heat your home more effectively, keeping you warmer in winter. This is especially important if you have young children, elderly people, or people with illnesses in the home.

1. Better for the Environment

Old boilers waste energy and produce too much carbon. A new high-efficiency boiler makes your home more carbon neutral, helping the UK meet its climate targets.

1. Better Property Value

A new boiler also makes your home more energy efficient and improves its Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating. This makes it more attractive to buyers if you ever decide to sell.

How Does the Government Boiler Scheme Work?

It is simple to apply for a boiler grant. Let's find out how:

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

First, check if you qualify by:

• Looking at the list of benefits.
• Check your boiler’s age and type.
• Checking your property's EPC rating.

Online eligibility checks in 60 seconds are available for most energy providers and grant funders.

Step 2: Contact a Registered Installer

If you qualify, you’ll need a government-approved installer. The ECO4 scheme can only be installed by approved companies.

Step 3: Home Survey

A surveyor will visit your home to:

• Inspect your boiler.
• Check your insulation — you might also qualify for free insulation!
• Check your EPC rating.

Step 4: Boiler Installation

If all looks good:

• The installer will arrange a time for your free boiler installation.
• The grant covers the boiler and also labour.
• Certain houses may receive additional assistance, such as loft or wall insulation.

The whole process — from application to boiler installation — can last 2 to 4 weeks.

The Bottom Line

The government boiler scheme is a great chance for eligible homeowners and tenants to get their old inefficient heating systems replaced with new ones free of cost. It helps in reducing energy bills, making homes warmer, and decreasing carbon emissions.

If your boiler is over 15 years old, it's worth seeing if you qualify. You could receive a brand new, energy-efficient boiler from top manufacturers– at little or no expense. And if you're considering switching systems altogether, take a look at electric combi boilers to see if they’re right for your home.