Why A Government Boiler Grant Scheme?
The government recognises that new boilers are very expensive (Average boiler exchange price is £2300) and many people in receipt of low income benefits would not be able to afford to change their boilers without some assistance.
The Boiler grant Scheme has now been running since 2013 and over a million grant boilers have already been installed.
Hence this Free boiler grant scheme has been introduced and it has proved to be very popular with the whole of the UK.
If you want to learn more about the Boiler Grant Scheme please visit the GOV.UK website.
There are 2 schemes available for 2023 and this blog will inform you of the ins and outs and whether you will qualify.
Why Apply For The Free Boiler Scheme?
Older boilers are much less efficient than modern condensing boilers.
They can be up to 30% more inefficient so more than a third of the energy you pay for is going to waste rather than heating your home.
The energy efficiency of boilers over 20 years old can be as low as 60% – which is a G rating.
That means upgrading an old boiler to a newer, more efficient model is a great way of saving money.
And because more energy efficiency means lower CO2 emissions, you are helping the planet too !
A new A-rated energy efficiency boiler will utilise around 90% of the heat they generate so you can reduce your bills by up to £300 a year.
How To Apply For A Free Boiler Grant
Is The Free Boiler Scheme Real and Does It Really Help People?
Yes It Is! Qualifying home owners can apply to have their 17 year old in-efficient boilers and Baxi Bermuda back boilers replaced for a brand new condensing one.
Under the Governments New ECO 4 Scheme for 2023, there are new grants to replace gas boilers and if you meet the new criteria for 2023, YOU WILL GET A FREE BOILER!
Does The Boiler Grant Need To Be Paid Back ?
Householders that are eligible for free boiler grants have no obligation to pay back any instalments even if you move home.
Are There Free Boilers for Pensioners ?
Pensioners who only receive a standard state pension don’t qualify for a free boiler grant unfortunately as this scheme is only for means tested benefits.
You may still qualify under the LA FLEX Schemes though so we recommend you try this route.
Age Concern Boiler Grants
Elderly people usually qualify if they are in receipt of a disability benefit or Guaranteed Pension Credit.
The normal State Pension does not qualify for grant funding at the moment but the Government are looking into it for the future.
How is my New Replacement Boiler at no Cost?
The UK has been set very large targets to reduce the carbon footprint of its housing stock by 2030.
The Energy Company Obligation has been set up to ensure the UK will hit this target. Of course this will have to be paid for by the taxpayer and so the government have built in to everybody’s bills is a small percentage of money which is paid towards this Green Tax.
This money is controlled by the Big Six energy suppliers who are obliged to spend it on insulation and heating measures over the next 10 yrs. or so to meet the targets set.
The priority for the UK is for the more vulnerable people in society to benefit from this money first so anyone on Low Income Benefits should check if they can apply.
What Boilers are Fitted On This Scheme?
Depending on your installer, there are many excellent models being fitted on this scheme.
All boilers that are fitted as part of the Boiler Grant Scheme come with a minimum 2 Year parts & Labour Warranty.
In some cases, you will get a 5 year warranty but you need to confirm this with your installer.
In most cases , for a small fee you can pay to extend your warranty to 5 or even 10 years.
The most popular models are
- Worcester Bosch
- Vaillant
- Ideal Logic
- Potterton
- Baxi
- Veisseman
How To Apply For A Free Boiler Grant
When is the Free Boiler Scheme Due To End?
The current ECO free boiler grant scheme is due to end in March 2026 .
It makes good sense to change your boiler while grants are available to assist you with the cost. The government has set a budget and can pull the plug on this grant scheme at any time.
Funding is limited and will end once the targets have been met. If you qualify for a free boiler grant, you should not delay your application.
Top 7 Things You Need to Know About The Government Free Boiler Scheme 2023
- You must be on certain qualifying benefits and live in a certain type of property to be eligible for a free boiler
- Not everyone eligible might receive a free boiler because of limited funding for free boilers to give away
- you can ask any of the participating companies for a free boiler—you don’t need to go through your own energy provider.
- If you’re granted a free boiler, all fitting will be free.
- You will receive a Free 2 year warranty with every successful application
- You will not need to pay anything back either now or in the future.
- You can have a free back boiler upgrade to a combi boiler.
Are There Free Boilers For Landlords?
No. Landlords could apply for a free boiler up until 2018 but the government put a stop to this and now landlords are no longer eligible.
Boiler Grants For Disabled
The Scheme was adjusted in October 2018 to allow people in receipt of Disabled Benefits to be able to apply for Boiler Grants and Home Insulation for the first time.
They had previously not been able to apply as disabled benefits are not means tested benefits. The government have had a change of heart and now have allowed then to be eligible.
How To Apply For A Free Boiler Grant
No Benefits – Can I Apply For A Boiler Grant ?
Another way of qualifying for Boiler Grants if you are not in receipt of any benefits is to approach your local council to see if they have a Local Authority Flex Scheme in place.
LA Flex Schemes allow people not on benefits to apply if they meet certain council criteria.
Look on your local council website for their statement of intent which will itemise their qualifying conditions which usually has low income elements and subject to you having a health condition.
Many councils in the UK are now taking part so do take the time to find out more.
Can I Get a Free Boiler If I Live In A Flat ?
UK residents living in small houses and flats etc usually do not qualify for a free replacement boiler, or insulation grants due to low grants awarded to these homes.
This has now changed
In the past Even if you had an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E, F, or G and qualify for a grant, installers will usually pass you by unfortunately.
Now you can apply for the grant if your boiler meets the criteria.
Which Energy Companies Are Participating In the Free Boiler Scheme?
Ofgem has a list of all the energy companies which are currently participating in funding the
ECO scheme. Please see here.
How To Apply For A Free Boiler Grant
How Long Does the Free Boiler Application Process Take?
This depends on the company, time of year, and the number of applications.
Typically, companies receive more applications during the autumn and winter as homes are colder in those months.
During busy periods, you could wait up to 10 weeks for a response.
We recommend you apply in spring or summer to beat the winter rush to have a stronger chance of speeding up the application process to heat your home for winter.
Which Installers Fit Free Boilers On The Scheme.
There are many government approved installers that operate on the Free Boiler Scheme.
They will all have been vetted by the government regulators and have to pass many modules in order to get access to government funding.
Naturally they will be gas safe registered too.
What Warranty Do You Get With The Free Boiler Scheme ?
You will get a free 2 year parts and labour warranty if you are lucky enough to qualify for the free boiler grant.
You can opt to extend this warranty to 5 years for an extra payment usually around £150.
Need To Replace Your Back boiler?
We recommend you :
- See if you are eligible for a free government grant to replace it with a combi boiler.
- Replace with a new Baxi Bermuda back boiler SEDBUK efficiency rating of ‘A’
- Remove the back boiler and replace with a modern combi boiler privately.
No. There are no grants available to replace back boilers on a like for like basis.
This is because the government wish to move everybody onto the most efficient ways to heat your home and backboilers are not very efficient at all.
The move is to replace a back boiler with a combi gas heated boiler or to upgrade them to renewable heating such as Heat Pumps etc
Back Boiler replacement is unlikely to be covered with a grant in the future in our opinion.
Do take advantage of this fantastic Back Boiler Removal Grant which has very limited funding and may end within the next 2 months.
How Much To Replace a Back Boiler
You can expect to pay within the region of £3500 – £500 if you choose to replace your back boiler with a combi boiler system.
This price usually includes removing the old back boiler and surrounding fireplace and mantle and making good .
How To Apply For A Free Boiler Grant
Back Boiler Removal – Conversion To A Combi
If you have an old Baxi Bermuda Back boiler behind the fire and have been thinking of removing it and replacing it with a combi the Grant will now cover the cost .
A conversion from a back boiler to a combi will give you an excellent saving from the full price of £3000 +.
People on a low income or claiming a benefit can apply for this £3000 Back Boiler Removal Grant and have a brand new combi boiler fitted for 100% FREE!
This back boiler replacement grant is only open to home owners.
Back Boiler Replacement Cost
The cost of replacing a back boiler is between £2,500 and £4,500.
This will depend on which boiler you choose and where to install your new boiler.
Back boiler replacement costs so much because you have to thoroughly remove the back boiler and install a completely different boiler elsewhere in your home.
This involves a lot of work, especially running new pipework for mains gas and distribution pipework too
The most popular replacement is the modern combi boiler which will give you hot water on demand.
You should expect the whole job to take 2 – 3 days.
How Do I Apply For A Back Boiler Removal Grant?
Take a short survey by filling the form below and if you are eligible, you will be contacted within 7 days to book your free survey.
How To Apply For A Free Boiler Grant
Are Back Boilers Still Legal
Yes they are.
Newer back boilers that have been installed by a registered professional that are routinely serviced and maintained are legal.
However, there are old back boilers that are currently in use that are currently illegal and should be replaced with a more modern boiler.
We recommend that if your back boiler is very old you have it inspected and upgrade it to a combi.
Can I Get A Grant For New Radiators?
What Is A Non Condensing Boiler?
A non condensing boiler is an old type boiler usually fitted before 2005 that does not have a white plastic pipe leading to an outside drain.
It can be wall hung or be a backboiler behind the fire.
These old boilers are usually only around 70 % efficient which is why the Government is providing grant funding to exchange them.
My Boiler Is 5 Years Old – Can I Get a Free Boiler?
Unfortunately, time has now run out for people with perfectly working boilers to be exchanged simply because they are free.
The government will now only replace boilers over 15 year of age and more and rightly so.
Enough perfect boilers have been scrapped over the years due to government not thinking the scheme out properly and realising that many people would take advantage of the grant.
Useful Resources & Other Grants Available For OAPs
More Useful Resources & Other Grants
How To Apply For A Free Boiler Grant