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Wondering if you are entitled to a free boiler or heating support? This guide explains the common UK routes that may help with boiler replacement, heating upgrades or energy efficiency improvements. It is guidance only and final eligibility depends on scheme rules and an installer assessment.
Some households may be able to access support for boiler replacement or heating upgrades, but a free boiler is not guaranteed. Eligibility can depend on a mix of household and property factors, including:
Several routes may support some households with heating or efficiency improvements, but availability and eligibility vary. Worth checking:
Some households are more often considered worth checking for boiler or heating support:
Benefits are a common route into energy efficiency support, but some local authority flexible eligibility routes may also exist. Local rules can vary and councils may consider lower-income or vulnerable households who are not currently receiving qualifying benefits. See local energy grants for council-led routes near you.
Pensioners may be considered if they meet scheme criteria such as qualifying benefits, low income, vulnerability or property requirements. Read more about energy grants for pensioners to see common qualifying routes.
Different heating systems may lead to different support routes. Some schemes focus on heating upgrades, insulation first, or low-carbon alternatives such as heat pumps. If you are exploring low-carbon heating, see the heat pump grant checker and the Boiler Upgrade grant guide.
Your EPC rating can affect whether certain grant routes are worth checking. Lower-rated homes are often more likely to be considered for energy efficiency improvements.
Check your EPC ratingBe cautious of guaranteed “free boiler” adverts. Genuine grant routes always involve eligibility checks and an installer assessment. Energy Checker is an independent guidance website and is not government-run.
See our guidance on avoiding energy grant scams and how to check installer credentials.
Energy Checker is an independent guidance website. This page is for guidance only and does not guarantee eligibility, funding or a free boiler. Final eligibility depends on the relevant scheme provider, local authority, installer assessment and property survey.
A free boiler is not guaranteed. Some households may be able to access support for boiler replacement or heating upgrades through routes such as ECO4 or local authority schemes, but eligibility depends on income, benefits, EPC rating, property type, current heating system and an installer assessment.
There is no single set of rules. Households on qualifying benefits, lower-income households, pensioners on qualifying support, vulnerable households and homes with poor energy efficiency may be more likely to be considered. Final eligibility depends on the scheme provider, local authority and installer survey.
Pensioners may be considered if they meet scheme criteria such as receiving qualifying benefits (for example Pension Credit), low income, vulnerability or property requirements. Local authority flexible eligibility may also apply.
Benefits are a common qualifying route, but some local authorities operate flexible eligibility (LA Flex) that can consider lower-income or vulnerable households not on qualifying benefits. Local rules vary.
ECO4 can support boiler replacement in some cases, but the scheme prioritises insulation and broader energy efficiency improvements first. A boiler is more likely to be replaced under ECO4 where the existing system is broken or inefficient and other measures support overall efficiency.
Some schemes consider non-gas heating, particularly where homes are off the gas grid. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme focuses on switching from fossil fuel heating to a heat pump rather than replacing like-for-like. Local schemes vary.
Yes. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme contributes towards installing a low-carbon heat pump, not a replacement gas, oil or LPG boiler. Heating system grants and boiler grants can be different routes with different rules.
Answer a few questions about your property, EPC rating, heating type, benefits and postcode to see which grant routes may be worth checking.
Start free grant check