Who qualifies for a Boiler Grant?

The UK government runs the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) programme, a scheme designed to reduce fuel poverty and carbon emissions by funding initiatives such as free boiler grants.

To qualify for a boiler grant, there a number of criteria that applicants will have to meet:

• The existing boiler must be at least 8 years old.
• The property’s owner must be the person applying for the grant. Councils and privately-rented properties are not eligible.
• The property must be connected to the mains gas supply. Boilers running on other fuel sources, such as LPG gas, biomass, and oil are not included.
• The applicant must receive at least one of the government’s list of benefits.

If the applicant meets these criteria, they could be eligible to receive a free boiler as part of the ECO scheme.

Eligibility criteria and participating energy companies correct as of May 2022:

• British Gas now includes - Peoples Energy, Together Energy and Bristol Energy
• E
• E.on
• Ecotricity
• EDF Energy now includes - Green Network and Utility Point
• Octopus Energy now includes - Avro Energy, Co-Operative Energy, and Flow Energy
• OVO Energy now includes - Economy Energy, Spark Energy, and SSE
• Scottish Power now includes - Extra Energy
• Shell Energy (formerly First Utility and formerly Hudson) now includes - Green Star and Pure Planet
• So Energy
• Utilita
• Utility Warehouse

The Affordable Warmth Obligation states that energy suppliers must install replacement boilers free of charge for households that meet the criteria above and cannot afford a new boiler. While many people will receive a free boiler grant, the majority of applicants will likely receive a grant that pays towards part of the cost of replacing a non-condensing or condensing boiler, as well as making other energy-saving improvements such as insulation.

The criteria for this scheme include receiving certain benefits and living in privately owned or rented properties and if the property has an energy rating of E, F or G. Individuals living in social housing are also eligible in some circumstances.

The amount of funding available to an applicant depends on the energy efficiency of their home. An energy assessment must be carried out, which can be done free of charge in many cases.

You get is determined by the efficiency of your home, so an energy assessment will be carried out free of charge. In some instances a small contribution may be required.

If you are eligible for a boiler grant your energy supplier should let you know. If you believe you are eligible but have not been contacted, you should enquire about the scheme with your supplier. The first step will be attending a consultation with your supplier to answer the necessary questions. The supplier will then arrange a date with you for a technical survey, during which an installer will confirm the boiler grant options available to you.

Following the technical survey, the installer will gather the necessary information to assess the property, before carrying out the improvements themselves. All warranty and maintenance documents will be provided by the supplier throughout the process for full disclosure.

• The UK government’s ECO scheme is designed to help improve the energy efficiency of low-income households throughout boiler grants and other financial support.
• The list of criteria is long, with applicants needing to receive some form of relevant benefit as well as meeting the salary thresholds set by the government.
• The property itself must also fall within specific energy standards to be eligible, with the most energy-inefficient homes receiving the largest grants.

Information correct as of January 2023