Who qualifies for a boiler grant in the UK?

Are you considering a new central heating system but worried about the costs? The good news is you may qualify for a boiler grant.

There are a couple of boiler grants available across the UK which can make your home warmer and more energy-efficient without straining your budget.

So, what are they, and are you eligible?

Key Takeaways

• Which boiler grants are available in the UK?
• ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation)
• The Boiler Upgrade Scheme

Which boiler grants are available in the UK?

The two main boiler grants available in the UK are:

• ECO4
• The Boiler Upgrade Scheme

Each has its own eligibility criteria and heating measures available, so keep reading to see which would benefit you most.

ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation)

Backed by the UK government, the ECO grant scheme requires the UK’s largest energy suppliers to fund energy-saving measures – like boiler replacement grants – for the most vulnerable households.

ECO4 is the latest phase in the scheme, which was introduced in 2013 to help tackle fuel poverty and poor home energy efficiency. It is available until June 2026.

Who qualifies for ECO4 funding?

ECO4 targets low-income households, and you could qualify for the funding if:

• You are a homeowner, private renter or social housing tenant
• Your property has an EPC rating of D, E, F or G
• You claim one of the following benefits:
  • Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
  • Income-related Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Income Support
  • Pension Credit
  • Universal Credit
  • Housing Benefit
  • Child Benefit

What is the ECO Flex Scheme, and how does it work?

Don’t worry if you don’t receive any of the above benefits, as you may still be able to claim funding under ECO Flex.

ECO Flex also allows local authorities to refer people from their area for ECO4 funding, even if they don’t qualify.

You could be eligible for this if you live in a property that needs energy efficiency upgrades and:

• You have a combined gross annual household income under £31,000 or
• A person in your household has a severe or long-term health condition that is worsened by living in a cold home

What measures are included in ECO4?

Under the ECO4 scheme, you can receive a wide range of insulation or boiler grants. The list of main heating measures covered includes:

• Boiler repairs and replacements
• Electric storage heaters
• Insulation upgrades (e.g. roof, loft, cavity wall, internal wall, etc.)
• Heat pump installations

You can also apply for solar panels through ECO4 if you already have an electric heating system installed in your home or if there are plans to do so.

Who can install ECO4 heating measures?

Only certified and registered installers can complete work under the ECO4 scheme. This makes sure all measures are done to the highest quality and safety standards for these vulnerable households.

Look out for installers certified under schemes like the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

Grant Store is an accredited ECO4 installer and has been trusted to install heating measures for homes across the country for decades. Get in touch with a member of our expert team today, and we’ll help you through the whole application process.

If you qualify, we’ll also manage the full installation for you, making us your one-stop shop.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme

Another boiler grant is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), which aims to encourage people to switch from fossil fuel heating systems to modern, efficient alternatives like heat pumps and biomass boilers.

It offers grants to property owners in England and Wales to help with the upfront cost of these systems. Under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you can get:

• £5,000 off the cost and installation of a biomass boiler
• £7,500 off the cost and installation of an air-source heat pump
• £7,500 off the cost and installation of a ground-source heat pump

Who can get a boiler grant under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?

Unlike the ECO4 grant scheme, you don’t need to receive certain government benefits to qualify for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme:

• Your property must be a home or small non-domestic building in England or Wales.
• Your property must have a valid energy performance certificate
• Biomass boilers are only eligible for properties in rural locations and are not connected to the gas grid.
• You must be fully replacing an existing fossil fuel system (e.g., an oil/gas boiler) or an electric heating system like a storage heater.
• You CANNOT apply if you’ve already received government funding or support for a heat pump or biomass boiler. You CAN apply if you’ve already received insulation, door or window upgrade funding.
• New-build homes and social housing are NOT eligible. Self-built properties are eligible.

Get your boiler grant with Grant Store today!

Do you want to make your home more energy-efficient but are unsure whether you qualify for a boiler grant?

Get in touch with the expert team at Grant Store, and we can help you through the entire application process.

We have decades of experience keeping Britain’s homes warm, so if you do qualify, we’ll also install your boiler or heating upgrade for you with the same quality and reliability that we’re known for across the country.

If you’re still unsure, just look at the 500+ positive Trustpilot reviews from our many happy customers. You deserve a warm home, and we’re here to deliver.

Get in touch with Grant Store today to make the first step toward big savings and comfort at home.