Free Heating FAQs

Is it completely free?
Where does the money come from?
What if I don’t qualify for the grant?
Is the survey free?
How do you select your Installers?
Do I get to choose which boiler I want?
Is there a warranty on the boiler?
How soon can I have my boiler installed?
How long does the installation take?
Is there much mess?
Will I have to fill in lots of paperwork?
What if I rent my property?
Are there grants to help with gas connection?

Is it completely free?
In some cases, it is 100% free. If a contribution is required, it can be funded using the Green Deal where the bill savings from the new boiler pay off this amount over time. You will be advised of any contribution during the free survey and will have time to decide whether or not you want to proceed.

Where does the money come from?
The money comes from Energy suppliers such as British Gas, Npower, E.ON, EDF, Scottish Power and SSE. The Government have set the utility companies targets to reduce carbon emissions. This is known as the Energy Companies Obligation (ECO). Installers complete the work and then invoice the utility companies or their managing agents for the grant amount.

What if I don’t qualify for the grant?
EnergyLink can arrange for you to recieive a free survey and quote from an approved local heating installer. Our installers can also provide Green Deal finance to enable you to spread the cost over several years using the saving made on heating bills.

Is the survey free?
Yes, the survey is always free of charge and you are under no obligation to proceed afterwards.

How do you select your Installers?
We ensure that all our Installers are registered with the necessary trade bodies such as Gas Safe and OFTEC and have access to the grant funding. Our selection process also demands high standards of Quality, Customer Care and Health & Safety.

Do I get to choose which boiler I want?
A variety of boilers are offered under the grant including Worcester, Ideal, Baxi and Vaillant. If you already have one of these makes of boiler installed in your property then it is likely that it will be replaced with a more efficient boiler of the same make. Our Installers will aim to fit the boiler that is best suited to your property.

Is there a warranty on the boiler?
Depending on the make of the boiler you will receive a warranty of between 2 to 5 years.

How soon can I have my boiler installed?
Once our approved Installer has carried out their survey and established that you qualify for a new boiler, it should be installed within four weeks.

How long does the installation take?
Installation normally takes 1 – 2 days depending on the amount of work required.

Is there much mess?
This will depend on the amount of work needed in the property. For instance, if pipework needs to be re-routed it will be messier than a straightforward boiler swap. The surveyor should be able to give you an indication of how much work is needed and address any concerns you may have. Whatever the case, the installers will clear up any mess afterwards.

Will I have to fill in lots of paperwork?
No. The surveyor who carries out your survey will complete the necessary paperwork. The Installer will then process the grant application on your behalf, after the work is completed.

What if I rent my property?
Private tenants and landlords no longer qualify for boiler or heating grants. It is now the landlord’s responsibility to pay for these measures under the MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard) regulations.

Council tenants should contact their Council directly as we cannot assist. If you are a Housing Association tenant, please contact your Housing Association directly.

Are there grants to help with gas connection?
Grants are available to help with the cost of connecting properties to the gas network. Click here for more details.