Free boiler grants allow you to apply for a new, energy-efficient boiler at little to no cost. As we head into the colder months, we’re all relying on our boilers a lot more for hot water and heating.
All new boilers are required by law to be condensing boilers, which capture the heat from flue gases instead of letting it escape. This makes them highly efficient, generally 90% or even more. Older boilers however aren’t subject to this rule, meaning they’re generally far less efficient and can waste a lot of energy.
Now is the perfect time to apply for a Free Boiler Grant and to see if you qualify. Upgrading to a new, energy-efficient boiler means lower energy bills, a warmer home, and greater efficiency, just in time for the colder season.
Below we’re exploring what the free boiler grant is, how you can check your eligibility, and how to apply.
What Is the Free Boiler Grant?
The Free Boiler Grant is part of the government supported ECO4 scheme (Energy Company Obligation), which aims to help any households receiving a low-income improve their home’s energy efficiency through various means.
Under this scheme, homeowners which fit the eligibility criteria can have their old, inefficient boilers replaced with new, energy-efficient models at little to no cost.
And if you don’t have a gas supply, don’t worry, we’ve still got you covered with other energy-efficient options such as air source heat pumps or solar panels.
The idea behind it is to reduce carbon emissions, lower energy bills, and make homes warmer and more sustainable, all while supporting the UK’s push to be more carbon neutral.
What Does the Free Boiler Grant Aim to Do?
The Free Boiler Scheme forms part of the government’s ECO4 programme, which is designed to make homes warmer, greener and more affordable to heat.
Through this scheme, eligible households can receive help to replace old, inefficient boilers with new, energy-efficient models.
Below is how the scheme helps:
- Lowers heating costs: A modern boiler keeps your home warmer for longer while using less energy. In turn, this helps reduce your monthly bills.
- Improves your home’s energy efficiency: New boilers are better at turning fuel into heat, which means less energy is wasted.
- Allows you to be more sustainable: By replacing older boilers that have higher emissions with new eco-friendly ones, we all contribute to reducing carbon emissions and improving climate change.
Free Boiler Grant Criteria
To qualify for a free boiler grant under the ECO4 scheme, you need to fulfil certain income, property, and boiler requirements.
The initiative is designed to help those who need it most by targeting low-income and vulnerable households.
Below were exploring the various criteria.
Income-Based Eligibility
To be eligible, you or someone in your household must receive at least one of these government benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit (Guarantee or Savings Credit)
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (income-based)
- Employment and Support Allowance (income-related)
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
Property Requirements
Your home must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F, or G, meaning it’s not energy efficient. The scheme prioritises homes that will benefit most from heating upgrades.
Boiler Condition & Homeownership
Your current boiler must be inefficient, old, or broken, typically 15 years or older. You must also own your home or have landlord permission if renting.
How Do I Apply for the Free Boiler Grant?
Eligibility for the ECO4 Free Boiler Grant is outlined by the government and is based on factors including your household income, the type of property you live in, and your current heating system. Our team at IGNI makes the process easy as we’ll walk you through each step of the process to find out if you qualify.
If you meet the eligibility criteria, we’ll take care of everything from start to finish. We work with trusted boiler manufacturers to install a high-quality, energy-efficient boiler in your home, carried out by our professional installation team with care and efficiency.
This is a great opportunity to enjoy a warmer home, lower energy bills, and a more sustainable future, all at little or no cost to you.
Just complete our quick online form to check if you’re eligible and take the first step towards a more affordable heating solution.
Benefits of Applying Now
As we head into the colder winter months, there are lots of benefits to applying now for a free boiler grant. We’re exploring these in more detail below, allowing you to start saving sooner.
Prepare ahead of winter
As temperatures drop, demand for new boiler installations surge as everyone is trying to keep their homes warm.
This can lead to longer waiting times and limited availability as everyone is trying to get their boiler installed at the same time. Applying now means you can secure your place before the seasonal rush and avoid delays.
Start saving on your bills
By upgrading to a modern, energy-efficient boiler now it means you’ll begin reducing your energy use right away, rather than waiting until winter drives your bills even higher.
As we’ve already discussed, with the winter months drawing in, you’re going to be relying on your boiler much more.
This means the sooner your new boiler is installed the better, as you can start enjoying savings sooner by being more efficient. Boiler efficiency shows how much of the energy a boiler uses actually heats your home. The higher the efficiency percentage, the less energy being wasted. Boilers are rated from A to G as you can see below:
A: 90% and above
B: 82-86%
C: 78-82%
D: 74-78%
E: 70-74%
F: 65-70%
G: below 65%
Older boilers are usually less efficient. For example, boilers over 25 years old often operate at 60-70%, while models around 10-15 years old reach 80-85%.
Keeping warm in the colder months
There is nothing worse than being left without heating in the colder months. As we head into the winter season, ensuring your home is warm is a top priority as temperatures drop and heating systems are put under more strain.
By being prepared and arranging your installation with our team ahead of winter, you can relax knowing your home will be cosy and well-prepared for the chill.
“When I first started researching grants for boilers and home energy improvements I was very sceptical. The saying “if something is too good to be true then it usually is” kept going round in my head however how wrong I was! When I came across IGNI and entered my details I thought nothing would come of it. I got an email straight back asking for a few more details about the boiler and my circumstances. A survey was booked for 3 days later. It turned out my home met the criteria and the following day 3 men arrived to insulate my loft and fit extractor fans in the bathroom and the day after that 3 different men came to fit a brand new Worcester boiler and remove the water tank! It was a full on day and I have to say was a pretty big job but I’m thrilled with the improvements made to my home and the fact that I don’t have to go through another winter wondering if my 25 year old boiler will make it!! If you are considering applying for the grant I can honestly say go for it! You have nothing to lose.” – Clare
Avoid breakdowns
As you use your boiler more in the winter, you’re naturally putting it under more strain. If you have an older boiler, it’s more likely to break down or fail when you need it most.
That said, by checking your eligibility now and seeing if you can secure a new boiler, you’re getting ahead of potential problems and ensuring your home stays warm all year round. This in turn helps you save more money as you can avoid costly breakdowns and emergency callout fees which can be very high. It also saves you the worry of being left in the cold.
Become more sustainable
If you’re conscious of your carbon footprint, which is a growing concern for many, upgrading to an energy-efficient boiler through the ECO4 Free Boiler Grant is a great step.
Older boilers use more energy and produce higher carbon emissions, so replacing yours now means you’ll start reducing your environmental impact straight away. With energy use often rising during the colder months, acting early ensures your home stays warm while contributing to a greener, more eco-friendly future.
Free Boiler Grants: Why Now’s the Time to Apply Before Winter
After reading this blog, you’ll hopefully understand more about the free boiler grant and the benefits of applying.
Whilst this is useful all-year round, winter is a particularly good time to check your eligibility with colder temperatures and increased use of your boiler. It’s also a popular time for new boiler installs, so by checking if you qualify early, you can start arranging your appointment and taking the next steps.
At IGNI, we guide you through each step of the process to make it as simple as possible. Check your eligibility in as little as 60 seconds here and we’ll take care of the rest.
