How to Qualify for a Free Boiler Grant in the UK

The following blog post has a detailed discussion about the free boiler grants, eligibility criteria for the free boiler grants, and a step-by-step guide to get the grants.

What are the Free Boiler Grants in the UK?

The UK government has initiated several grants to provide free boilers to low-income households. These boilers target inefficient and fossil fuels boilers to replace them with efficient and renewable energy boilers. The main objectives behind this replacement of boilers are the following:

• Reduce the consumption of the fuel.
• Decrease fuel poverty.
• Enhance energy efficiency.
• Reduce the carbon emissions.

Some of the most important free boiler grants in the UK are the following:

Energy Company Obligation (ECO4)

The Energy Company Obligation is a UK government scheme started in 2013. It is now in its fourth phase which will end in 2026. In this scheme, the UK government and energy companies work together to make the country energy-efficient and carbon-free. For this purpose, they provide households with different energy benefits. They target low-income households for this funding.

Some of the key benefits of the Energy Company Obligation are the following:

• First Time Central Heating Systems
• Boiler Upgrades
• Insulation
• Heat Pumps

Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is another UK government scheme which was initiated specifically for boiler replacements. The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) started this scheme in 2022. They initiated this scheme specifically to make the country carbon-free by the 2050s.

That’s why they are targeting the main source of carbon which are inefficient boilers. They provide renewable heating systems which are not only energy efficient but also low-carbon, such as the following:

• Air Source Heat Pumps
• Ground Source Heat Pumps
• Hybrid Heating System
• Biomass Boilers 

Home Upgrade Grant (HUG)

The Home Upgrade Grant was launched by the Department of Business, Energy, and Industrial Security. They started this scheme to help low-income households and make the country carbon-free. They will provide energy-efficient improvements to achieve both of these objectives.

You have to understand what their energy improvements will do in the homes. First of all, they will reduce the fuel consumption in the home. This will automatically reduce the energy bills. Moreover, when they consume less or no fossil fuels, they will not produce carbon dioxide resulting in pollution-free heating.

Some of the key benefits of the Home Upgrade Grant are the following:

• First Time Central Heating Systems
• Boiler Upgrades
• Insulations
• Windows and Doors Improvements

What are the Eligibility Criteria for the Free Boiler Grants in the UK?

You can qualify for the free boiler grants only when you fulfil the following eligibility criteria:

• The free boiler grants are only for low-income households. They ensure that the respective household has a monthly income lower than £31,000.
• At the same time, they check whether the household receives the government benefits, such as the following:

1. Pension Credit
2. Child Tax Credit
3. Working Tax Credit
4. Universal Credit
5. Income-related Jobseeker Allowance
6. Disability Benefits
7. Income Related Allowance
8. The free boiler grant suppliers check the existing heating systems. If there are fossil fuels or electricity boilers, they will go for the replacement. Moreover, some boiler schemes provide free boilers only to the off-grid areas.
9. Sometimes, the local authorities recommend some homes due to their high energy bills, they will also become eligible for the scheme.
10. In this case, the homes have aged, young, disabled, and diseased people who are being affected by the cold temperature. The homeowners can apply for the free boiler scheme to get their benefits.

How to Get the Free Boiler Grants in the UK?

You can get the free boilers from the free boiler grants by considering the steps given below:

1. As there are several grants which are applying for the free boiler grants, you need to select the one which is the most appropriate option for your home. For this purpose, you should make a list of grants which are providing benefits in your area.
2. Then, you have to check each of the grants in the list. You have to consider their eligibility factors, types of boilers, time of installation, total financial assistance for the boiler, etc.
3. Now, you have to apply for the scheme by completing the initial application procedures. At the same time, you have to check whether you are eligible for this scheme or not. You can do this by using the online eligibility checker or getting help from the customer service of the respective grant.
4. After this, you have to ask the licensed boiler installer to survey the home. They will not only assess the home conditions but also apply for the grants on your behalf.
5. The installer will also help you in submitting the required documents for the scheme. The compulsory documents for the free boiler grants are the following:
6. Proof of income
7. Proof of government benefit
8. Proof of identity
9. Proof of homeownership or tenancy agreement
10. EPC certificate
11. Details about the existing heating system

6. You have to wait for the approval from the grant authorities. They will send an approval letter and call you to discuss the details of the timeline of the installation process.
7. The installer will start the installation process of the boiler and complete it according to the timeline.
8. After installation, they will hand over all your documents and guide you regarding the maintenance of the system.

Tips to Increase the Chances of Qualification for the Free Boiler Grants

You can increase the chances of qualification for the free boilers by considering the tips given below:

• First of all, it is highly recommended to complete the documentation before the time and submit it in the right format.
• At the same time, you have to ensure that the respective boiler is licensed and experienced.
• You should provide the verified documents of the vulnerabilities. Moreover, the certificate of the EPC rating should be valid.

Conclusion

Whatever scheme you choose for the free boilers, you have to make sure that it fulfils all the heating requirements of your home. If you can’t select the right boiler for your home, you should get help from experienced installers.