Are there grants for new boilers?
Heating your home is not cheap. Heating costs account for nearly 50% of your total energy bill. Many households are struggling more than ever before with paying their energy bills due to the world COVID-19 pandemic.
Big energy companies have an obligation to support vulnerable and low-income households under the Government-backed Energy Company Obligation Scheme (ECO), funded by large energy suppliers. The aim of the scheme is reducing energy bills and reducing the household carbon footprint. Installation of heating measures will help to ensure that the heat generated is as efficient as possible and fuel wastage is kept to a minimum.
We have funding available for energy-saving measures, such as heating, insulation, and smart heating controls. These measures will ensure that your property is warmer and will also reduce your energy bills.
Am I entitled to a boiler grant?
Vulnerable and low-income households can qualify to get their inefficient gas boilers replaced for a free or heavily subsidised cost. The funding is available to homeowners who receive certain benefits.
The funding available under the ECO scheme is for a like for like system that you have in place. Therefore, if you have a combination boiler, it will be replaced with a more efficient combination boiler. If your boiler is a system boiler, it will be replaced with a new system boiler. If you have a heat only regular boiler, it will be replaced with a more efficient heat only regular boiler.
However, if you decide you would like to upgrade your heat only regular boiler or system boiler, this will incur an additional cost.
It is a common misconception that boiler funding is allocated based on the benefits and income you receive. In truth, it is based on the type and size of the property that you have, the walls and floor that your property has and the heating system that is in place. For example, if you have a suspended floor, basement or a cellar that will unlock additional funding and in 9 out of 10 cases, your boiler will be replaced free of charge. The funding is increased if we can do the insulation under your floor.
Am I eligible for a grant for a new boiler?
Boiler grants are available for homeowners only.
You or someone at your property must be in receipt of one of the following benefits:
Armed Forces Independence Payment
Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
Industrial Injuries Disablement Disablement Benefit
Income Related Employment Support Allowance
War Pension Mobility Supplement
If the only benefit you receive is child benefit you can still qualify; however there are earning thresholds that you will have to sign a self-declaration form.
Your boiler is older than six years. If your property has suspended / wooden floors or a basement/cellar, then your boiler needs to be at least five years old.
Has your property never had gas central heating?
ECO3 grants are available for first-time central heating in the properties that do not have and have never had a boiler and radiators installed in their property.
As part of the scheme you could get a boiler, radiators and smart heating controls installed in your property free of charge. Based on current prices an average central heating system could cost over £3,000 if you wanted to get it privately done. However, by taking advantage of this funding you can get this done free of charge.
To qualify:
The property you own or rent has never had a boiler and radiators before, someone in the property is in receipt of qualifying benefits mentioned above. There must be a gas supply in your property/area.
