New Boiler Grants UK 2026 — How to Get a Free Boiler
Thousands of UK households are eligible for a free or heavily subsidised boiler replacement in 2026. Furthermore many people who qualify don’t realise they’re eligible. Here’s everything you need to know.
In this guide
What boiler grant schemes are available in 2026?
There are currently two main government-backed schemes that can help UK households get a free or subsidised boiler replacement in 2026. Additionally some energy suppliers run their own schemes alongside the government programmes.
ECO4 Scheme
Free boilers and energy efficiency improvements for low income and vulnerable households.
Grant up to £4,000+
Great British Insulation Scheme
Broader eligibility — covers insulation and some heating improvements for more households.
Free for eligible homes
ECO4 Scheme — free boilers for eligible households
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme is the main government programme for free boiler replacements in the UK. Under ECO4 large energy suppliers are legally required to fund energy efficiency improvements — including boiler replacements — for eligible low income and vulnerable households.
Consequently the cost of the new boiler is covered entirely by energy suppliers rather than by the government directly. However the end result for eligible households is the same — a free boiler installation with no upfront cost.
Important: ECO4 focuses on whole-house energy efficiency rather than just boiler replacement. Therefore your property will be assessed and the grant may cover additional improvements alongside a new boiler — such as insulation or heating controls. This is a significant benefit as it means your home becomes more energy efficient overall.
What ECO4 can cover:
✓ New boiler installation — A-rated energy efficient replacement
✓ Loft insulation — free installation for eligible homes
✓ Cavity wall insulation — where suitable
✓ Underfloor insulation — for suspended timber floors
✓ Heating controls — smart thermostats and thermostatic radiator valves
✓ Solar panels — in some cases alongside other measures
Great British Insulation Scheme
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) has broader eligibility than ECO4 and is designed to help a wider range of households improve their energy efficiency. However it primarily focuses on insulation rather than boiler replacement specifically.
Nevertheless it is worth applying for if you don’t qualify for ECO4 — particularly if your home has poor insulation which is making your heating less effective. Furthermore improving insulation reduces how hard your boiler has to work, which extends its life and reduces your energy bills.
📋 Eligibility — broader than ECO4. Includes households with an EPC rating of D, E, F or G regardless of benefit status
🏠 What it covers — primarily insulation measures including loft, cavity wall and solid wall insulation
💰 Cost — free for lower income households, subsidised for others
📍 How to apply — through your energy supplier or a registered installer
Who qualifies for a free boiler under ECO4?
ECO4 eligibility is based on a combination of benefit status and property energy efficiency rating. You may qualify if you meet one of the following criteria:
Benefits based eligibility:
✓ Universal Credit
✓ Pension Credit
✓ Income Support
✓ Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
✓ Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
✓ Child Tax Credit
✓ Working Tax Credit
✓ Housing Benefit
✓ Child Benefit (subject to income thresholds)
Property based eligibility:
✓ Your property has an EPC rating of E, F or G (inefficient homes)
✓ Your property has an EPC rating of D and you receive certain benefits
✓ You are referred by your local authority under the LA Flex element of ECO4
Don’t know your EPC rating? You can check your property’s Energy Performance Certificate for free at gov.uk/find-energy-certificate. Additionally if your property doesn’t have a current EPC an assessor can visit and rate it as part of the ECO4 application process.
How to apply for a free boiler grant
Applying for a free boiler grant is straightforward. Here are the steps to follow:
Check your eligibility
Review the eligibility criteria above. Additionally check your EPC rating at gov.uk/find-energy-certificate to understand your property’s energy efficiency rating.
Contact your energy supplier
Your energy supplier is the first port of call for ECO4 applications. All large suppliers participate in the scheme. Consequently contact them directly and ask about ECO4 eligibility.
Use a registered ECO4 installer
Alternatively contact a TrustMark or MCS certified installer directly. Many installers handle the ECO4 application on your behalf — furthermore they can assess your property and confirm eligibility before any work begins.
Property assessment
An assessor visits your property to evaluate its current energy efficiency and identify which improvements qualify under ECO4. This assessment is free and carries no obligation.
Installation
Once approved a Gas Safe registered engineer installs your new boiler. The work is fully funded and you pay nothing upfront. Additionally any other approved measures such as insulation are installed at the same time.
Watch out for scams: Unfortunately some rogue traders claim to offer free boilers under government schemes but charge hidden fees or fit substandard equipment. Therefore always use a TrustMark or Gas Safe registered installer and never pay upfront for a supposedly free grant installation.
What happens after you apply?
After submitting your application a surveyor will assess your property. Subsequently they will confirm which measures you qualify for and arrange installation. The whole process from application to installation typically takes 4-12 weeks depending on demand in your area.
Once installed your new A-rated boiler should reduce your heating costs by up to 30% compared to an old inefficient boiler. Furthermore your home will be warmer and more comfortable as a result of the improved efficiency.
What if I’m not eligible for a free boiler?
If you don’t qualify for a fully funded boiler grant there are still options available to help reduce the cost of a new boiler:
💳 Boiler finance — many installers offer 0% finance deals spreading the cost over 12-60 months with no interest
🏦 Local authority grants — some councils offer additional funding on top of ECO4 for residents in their area. Check your local council website for details.
⚡ Boiler on finance through your energy supplier — some suppliers including British Gas offer boiler replacement plans with monthly payments
🔧 Boiler cover plans — monthly boiler cover plans often include replacement as a benefit if your boiler cannot be repaired
Save more with a cheaper energy tariff too
A new boiler saves up to 30% on heating — additionally switching to a cheaper tariff could save up to £300 more per year.
Compare energy deals →Save even more by switching to a cheaper energy tariff
A new boiler is a great way to reduce your energy bills — however it works even better when combined with a cheaper energy tariff. If you haven’t switched supplier recently you could be paying well above the cheapest available rate.
Furthermore with the July 2026 price cap forecast to rise by up to 12% there has never been a better time to compare deals and lock in a fixed tariff before prices increase.
Related guides
Energy price cap July 2026 — what it means for your bills → How to reduce your energy bills UK 2026 → Warm Home Discount 2026 — who qualifies →Compare energy deals and save up to £300
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Compare energy deals →Written by the FastSwitch team · Last updated May 2026
FastSwitch is a free UK energy comparison service. We may earn a commission when you switch via our site — this never affects the deals or prices you see. Grant eligibility criteria are set by the government and may change — always check gov.uk for the most current information.
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