Households often think of replacing their boiler when it’s almost dead, and they are being quoted an insane amount of money for the replacement. Well, one thing those installers are not gonna tell you is the Government Schemes you might qualify for.
These are often no-payback grants, funded by energy suppliers, obligated by the government. Through Boiler Replacement Grants, you can literally get your boiler installed completely free. Here’s how you can get hold of one for your household.
What Are Boiler Replacement Grants?
The big energy suppliers like British Gas, EDF, and E.ON, are legally obligated to fund home energy upgrades. It’s called the Energy Company Obligation, energy suppliers pay for your various heating and energy efficiency measures, including boiler replacement..
The government achieve to target by imposing this obligation, one, it slashes fuel poverty and two, it cuts carbon emissions. As your ancient G-rated boiler wastes 30% of its energy, while modern A-rated models waste under 10%, the math seems simple.
The Three Main Schemes (And Which One You Actually Need)
Most homeowners waste time researching the wrong scheme. There are three programs, but only one probably matters to you.
ECO4 Scheme: Your Primary Option
This is the big one. Runs until March 2026 and targets low-income households. Qualify? You get a full installation package worth £3,500 to £4,500.
What’s included:
| ECO4 Package | Typical Value |
| New condensing boiler | £2,500–£3,500 |
| Gas Safe installation | £500–£1,000 |
| Bonus insulation upgrades | £300–£800 |
| Total value | £3,500–£4,500 |
The average ECO4 grant exceeds £3,500. That’s your entire cost covered, boiler, installation, often loft or cavity wall insulation too.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS): For Low-Carbon Alternatives
Want to ditch gas completely? BUS funds heat pumps and biomass boilers. Available until 2028 in England and Wales.
- Air source heat pump: £7,500 grant
- Ground source heat pump: £7,500 grant
- Biomass boiler: £5,000 (rural properties only)
Here’s the catch: BUS doesn’t fund gas boilers. It’s for households ready to go fully green. Worth it if your property suits heat pumps. Otherwise? Stick with ECO4.
Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS): The Backup Plan
Primarily insulation-focused, but can include boiler upgrades if your EPC rating is terrible (F or G). Think of this as your fallback if ECO4 doesn’t fit.
Most people qualify through ECO4. Focus there first.
Do You Actually Qualify? (The Non-Negotiables)
Let’s get specific. ECO4 has strict rules. Miss one box? You’re out.
Property Requirements (All Must Apply)
- Own the property OR rent privately with landlord’s written permission
- Connected to mains gas supply
- The current boiler is 8+ years old
- EPC rating is E, F, or G (not C or higher)
Your boiler’s age matters. Seven years old? Doesn’t qualify. Eight years? You’re in.
Benefits Requirement (Pick One)
You must receive at least one of these:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Child Tax Credit / Working Tax Credit
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit
- Child Benefit (with income limits: £27,500 for one child, £42,000+ for four children)
Wait, don’t receive benefits? There’s a workaround.
ECO Flex: The Income-Based Alternative
No benefits but low income? ECO Flex lets you qualify if:
- Household income is £31,000 or less
- Property EPC is E or lower
- You meet the local authority vulnerability criteria
| ECO4 Route | Income Limit | Benefits Required? |
| Standard ECO4 | Varies by benefit | Yes |
| ECO Flex | £31,000 max | No |
Roughly 40% of UK households fall within these thresholds. Don’t assume you’re ineligible; check first.
What You’ll Actually Save (Beyond the Free Boiler)
Let’s talk real numbers. Not government fluff, actual savings you’ll see.
Direct Installation Savings: £3,500–£4,500
That’s obvious. But here’s what matters more: ongoing energy bill reductions.
Replacing a G-rated boiler with an A-rated model saves approximately £200 per year. Over 12 years (typical boiler lifespan)? That’s £2,400 in your pocket.
Efficiency comparison:
- Old G-rated boiler: 70% efficiency (30% wasted energy)
- New A-rated boiler: 90%+ efficiency (under 10% waste)
The Extras You Don’t Expect
ECO4 often bundles complementary upgrades:
- Loft insulation (stops 25% of heat loss)
- Cavity wall insulation (eliminates drafts)
- Smart heating controls (optimise timing)
Combined savings from all measures? Easily £500–£700 annually for poorly insulated homes. That’s not a government estimate; that’s measured data from post-installation audits.
Warranty Protection: Double Coverage
- 2-year installer warranty (workmanship issues)
- 5-10 year manufacturer warranty (equipment defects)
This beats buying privately. Most paid installations only include manufacturer warranties. With ECO4? You get both.
The Application Timeline (Be Realistic)
Does this happen overnight? It doesn’t. Here’s the actual timeline from an installer’s perspective.
- Week 1-2: Initial eligibility check (online, 60 seconds)
- Week 2-3: Formal application submission (documents required: benefits letters, EPC certificate, property proof)
- Week 3-6: Verification with government databases (slow but thorough)
- Week 6-8Installation scheduling (Gas Safe engineers assigned, equipment ordered)
- Week 10-12: I: Property survey (qualified surveyor assesses heating requirements)
- Week 8-10: installation day (1-3 days depending on complexity)
Total realistic timeline: 8-12 weeks. Can’t be rushed. Plan accordingly or you’ll be disappointed.
The Bottom Line
Use an online eligibility checker. Takes 60 seconds. No commitment required. If you qualify, contact an accredited installer or your energy supplier directly. They handle verification, scheduling, and installation through the ECO4 Scheme.
The ECO4 application window closes in March 2026. If you’re eligible, apply now. Waiting gains you nothing. Your ancient boiler costs you £200+ annually in wasted energy. Do the math.
