Free Boiler Grants 2025

The ECO4 boiler grant is part of the UK Government's Energy Company Obligation scheme that runs from April 2022 to March 2026 although an extension has been announced for a further 6 months until October 2026. It provides £1 billion of grant funding each year to help vulnerable households and fuel-poor properties improve their energy efficiency.

The scheme works by replacing your old, inefficient boiler with a new A-rated condensing boiler. Non-condensing boilers operate at around 75% efficiency, whilst new A-rated boilers reach approximately 95% efficiency. This means you could save around 20% on your fuel costs.

ECO4 takes a whole-of-house approach. This means your property will be assessed to improve its Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating by at least two bands. You might receive free insulation alongside your boiler to achieve this improvement. The scheme covers mains gas non-condensing boilers being replaced with gas condensing boilers, or properties heated by electric, coal, oil or LPG being upgraded to Air Source Heat Pumps.

You won't need to repay any of the funding. The scheme is entirely free when you qualify.

You can qualify for a free boiler grant if you receive one of eight qualifying benefits:

• Pension Credit (Guaranteed or Savings)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income based Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support (IS)
• Universal Credit (UC)
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit (WTC)
• Housing Benefit

Yes. Both homeowners and private tenants can apply for the ECO4 boiler grant.

If you're a homeowner living in the property that needs a new boiler, you can apply directly. You'll need to be in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits and meet the technical requirements for your property.

Private tenants can also apply, but you'll need permission from your landlord before any work begins. The landlord must agree to the boiler replacement and any additional insulation measures. Social housing tenants should check with their housing provider, as they may have separate schemes available.

The person applying must be receiving one of the eight qualifying benefits. If you're a tenant and your landlord receives the benefits but you don't, you won't qualify under the standard ECO4 scheme.

Yes, the ECO4 boiler scheme is completely free when you meet all the qualifying criteria. You won't pay anything for the boiler, installation, or any additional insulation measures included in your whole-of-house assessment.

The scheme is funded by energy companies as part of their obligation to help reduce carbon emissions and fuel poverty. The government requires them to provide this funding, so there's no cost to you and nothing to repay.

However, there are some situations where you might need to make a small contribution. If your property has an EPC rating of D, you may still qualify but could be asked to pay a partial amount. Properties with ratings of E, F or G typically receive everything completely free.

A new A-rated boiler installation normally costs between £2,000 and £5,000. Under ECO4, you receive this at no cost when you qualify.

You can check your eligibility by completing the online application form on the New Boiler Grant website. You'll need to enter your postcode and answer questions about your current benefits and heating system.

The qualification checklist includes:

• You're a homeowner living in the property (or a tenant with landlord permission)
• You receive one of the eight qualifying benefits
• Your current gas boiler is non-condensing (this includes wall-mounted, floor-standing or back boilers)
• Your property has an EPC energy rating of E, F or G (sometimes D with a contribution)
• You haven't previously claimed a grant boiler

Yes. The ECO4 boiler grant covers both the new A-rated boiler and the complete installation. You won't pay separately for labour, materials or any additional work needed to fit your new boiler.

Your new boiler will come with a manufacturer's warranty. The length and terms vary depending on the boiler brand installed, but you'll receive full warranty documentation when the installation is complete.

The installation will be carried out by a qualified engineer approved under the ECO scheme. All installers are fully accredited and work to industry standards. The New Boiler Grant works with local installers who are Gas Safe registered and approved by major boiler manufacturers.

If your property requires additional insulation measures to meet the two-band EPC improvement, these are also included at no cost. This might include loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, underfloor insulation or other measures identified during your property assessment.

After you submit your application through our application form, you'll typically hear back within 24 hours in most cases. The team will review your details to confirm your eligibility based on your benefits and property information.

Once your eligibility is confirmed, you'll be referred to an approved local installer in your area. The installer will contact you to arrange a property survey. During this survey, they'll assess your current heating system, check your boiler type and age, and determine what insulation measures might be needed.

The installer will explain exactly what work will be done to achieve the required two-band EPC improvement. They'll answer any questions you have about the installation process and schedule a convenient date for the work to begin.

You'll need to provide proof of your qualifying benefit at this stage. This is usually a recent letter or statement showing you receive one of the eight eligible benefits.

The timeline varies depending on demand and your local installer's schedule, but many applicants receive their new boiler within two to four weeks of submitting their application.

After your application is approved and you're matched with a local installer, they'll contact you to arrange the initial survey. This typically happens within a few days. Once the survey is complete and all measures are agreed, the installer will schedule your installation date.

The actual boiler installation usually takes one to two days, depending on your property and whether you're receiving additional insulation measures. If you're having a back boiler replaced or need significant pipework changes, it might take slightly longer.

Your installer will give you a specific timeframe once they've assessed your property. They'll work around your availability to minimise disruption.

The ECO4 boiler grants are available across England, Scotland and Wales. You can apply regardless of which region you live in, as long as you meet the qualifying criteria.

Northern Ireland is not included in the ECO4 scheme. If you live in Northern Ireland, you'll need to check for alternative grant schemes available in your area.

Availability doesn't depend on your location within England, Scotland or Wales. Whether you live in a city, town or rural area, you can apply if you meet the benefit and property requirements.

The New Boiler Grant works with approved installers throughout all covered regions. When you apply, you'll be matched with a qualified installer in your local area who can carry out the work.

Yes, you can still apply if you already have central heating. The ECO4 scheme is designed to replace old, inefficient boilers with new A-rated models, so having existing central heating doesn't disqualify you.

The key requirement is that your current gas boiler must be non-condensing and installed before April 2005. If you have an old wall-mounted boiler, floor-standing boiler or back boiler that's inefficient, you can qualify for a replacement.

If your property is currently heated by electric storage heaters, coal, oil or LPG, you might qualify for an Air Source Heat Pump instead of a gas boiler. The scheme covers different heating upgrades depending on your current system.

Properties receiving first-time central heating can also qualify under specific conditions. If there's a gas meter installed before 1 April 2022, you might receive a mains gas system. Otherwise, you'd receive an Air Source Heat Pump.