What Qualifies for Free Boiler & Heating Grants?

Are you dealing with an outdated boiler or struggling to heat your home efficiently? You may qualify for a free boiler or heating system upgrade through government-backed schemes like ECO4 or the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). These grants aim to help households reduce energy costs and carbon emissions while improving home comfort.

Qualifying Heating Systems

You may be eligible for a grant if your current heating system falls into one of these categories:

1. Faulty or Inefficient Boiler Replacement

• If your boiler is over 5–8 years old, rated ‘C’ or lower (non-condensing), and inefficient or faulty, you could qualify for a replacement with a new A-rated condensing boiler.

• A-rated boilers are highly efficient (over 90%) and can significantly reduce energy bills.

• Visit our Boiler Grants page for more details.

2. First-Time Central Heating Installation

• Homes without central heating systems such as those relying on electric heaters, fireplaces, or warm air systems—may qualify for a full central heating system installation.

• This includes a new boiler, radiators with thermostatic valves (TRVs), and all necessary pipework.

• Check our Central Heating Grants page for full criteria.

3. Electric Storage Heater Replacement

• If you have old or faulty electric storage heaters (typically over 10 years old), you could qualify for modern replacements or even a central heating upgrade.

• New high heat retention models are at least 30% more efficient than older units.

• Learn more on our Electric Storage Heater Grants page.

4. Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs)

• Through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), grants of up to £5,000 are available for installing air source heat pumps.

• ASHPs are highly efficient and work by extracting heat from the air outside your home to provide low-carbon heating.

• To qualify:

  • You must own the property.

  • Your home must have an EPC without outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation.

  • You must replace an existing fossil fuel system (e.g., gas, oil, LPG).

5. Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs)

• The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers grants of up to £7,500 for installing ground source heat pumps.

• GSHPs are even more efficient than ASHPs but require more space for installation.

6. Biomass Boilers

• Grants of £5,000 are available for biomass boilers under specific conditions:

  • The property must be off the gas grid

  • Located in a rural area

  • The boiler must have an emissions certificate showing minimal polluting emissions

• Check the Ofgem guidance to determine if your property qualifies as being in a rural location.

Who Qualifies for a free boiler or heating grant?

To qualify for a free boiler or heating grant, you must meet certain criteria:

1. Income and Benefits

You may be eligible if you receive one or more of these benefits:

• Universal Credit

• Pension Guarantee Credit

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• Working Tax Credit

• Child Tax Credit

• Housing Benefit

Note: Eligibility requirements vary depending on the grant scheme.

2. Property Requirements

• Your home must have an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G.

  • For social housing tenants, only properties rated E, F, or G are eligible under ECO4.

• The property must be your main residence.

Why Upgrade Your Heating System?

Upgrading your boiler or heating system can:

• Lower your energy bills by up to £300–£500 per year.

• Improve your home’s comfort during colder months.

• Reduce your carbon footprint by switching to eco-friendly systems.