Free Boiler When On Benefits - Complete Guide
At Last A Complete Guide For People On Benefits Who Want To Know All About The Free Boiler Scheme
See Our Table Of Contents
What Is The Free Boiler Benefits Scheme?
The Free Boiler Scheme has been set up by the UK Government to assist people in the UK that are in receipt of Means Tested Benefits to exchange their old and faulty boilers for FREE.
The scheme is also open to people that are in an LA Flex Area too.
British Gas and All The Other Large Energy Companies are Funding This Fantastic Scheme To Help People On Benefits To Exchange Their Boiler For Free.
Over A Million Boilers Have Now Been Exchanged On The Grant Since Its Inception in 2013. YOU MAY QUALIFY!
Please see Gov Uk for details on all the Energy Grants For 2024
Can I get a free boiler if I'm on benefits?
Yes & No.
Being On A Benefit Does Not Automatically Entitle You To The Free Boiler Scheme Unfortunately.
The Criteria To Be Eligible For A Free Boiler Is VERY Strict and There Are Many Boxes That You Have To Tick In Order To See A brand New Boiler On Your Wall Paid For By The Government!
You must receive certain benefits, such as Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit, or Universal Credit. Your home must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or below.
What Benefits Qualify For A Free Boiler ?
✅Housing Benefit
✅Income Support
✅Job Seekers Allowance
✅Universal Credit
✅Pension Credit
✅Child Benefit ( Income Thresholds Apply)
✅Child & Working Tax Credits
✅Employment & Support Allowance
Who Qualifies For The Free Boiler Scheme 2024?
✅ Your Home EPC Is E – F – G
✅ You Are A Home Owner
✅ You Are In Receipt Of A Qualifying Benefit (Or Someone Who Lives With You Is Claiming A Benefit )
✅ You Have A Qualifying Boiler Pictured Below
What Boilers Are Accepted For The Scheme?
GAS BOILERS – OIL BOILERS – LPG BOILERS – BACK BOILERS
It is set to end Mar 2026 and probably, this will be the last scheme for boiler exchange. I say this as the free boiler scheme has been running since 2013.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR A FREE BOILER?
Take A 2 Minute Survey Below- We Will Only Contact You If You May Be Eligible – All Private Details Are Deleted If Not Eligible. PRIVACY POLICY HERE
How Does The Free Boiler Process Work
The Free Boiler Scheme 2024 Process Is quite a simple process for applicants.
You can apply on this website and we will take care of the rest.
Who Does Not Qualify For The Free Boiler Scheme?
Lots of Free Boiler Applications are rejected.
I would say that over 80% of applications now fail since Eco4 was introduced in Mar 2022.
I am rejecting boiler applications on a daily basis, especially when people phone in.
Indeed I am frightened to answer the phone now!
Read Our WHO DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR A FREE BOILER page
Which Boilers Do Not Qualify For The Free Boiler Scheme 2024
Condensing boilers.
Just because you are on benefits and have an old boiler does not automatically qualify you for the scheme. The Government only wish to provide grant funding for the worst inefficient boilers in the UK which are NON CONDENSING boilers.
See our BOILERS THAT DO NOT QUALIFY page for a list of examples of which models do not qualify (Non exhaustive list ) .
You will get an idea of how to spot boilers that do not qualify and save you wasting your time applying.
No Boiler Fitted - Can You Get A Grant
For people that have never had a gas boiler fitted at their home, they could be eligible for FREE FIRST TIME CENTRAL HEATING.
Visit our Free Central Heating Page For Details of if you are eligible and can apply.
Are Back Boilers Eligible For The Grant?
Absolutely. Back boilers are deemed very inefficient and are a prime candidate for exchange on this scheme.
Visit Our Back Boiler Removal Grant- Have A Free Combi Boiler
Are Scotland & Wales Taking Free Boiler Applications?
Absolutely. You can apply on this website for both countries as we have installers that cover the whole UK.
What Grants Are Available For Oil Boilers?
There are grants for oil boiler upgrade to Air Source Heat Pumps for non condensing oil boilers.
You cannot have an oil boiler exchange on a like for like basis.
Is Free Boiler Servicing Included In The Grant?
Er No. You will have to pay for your own boiler service.
A boiler service should only cost you around £60 anyway.
Please see our BOILER SERVICE page for how often you need to service your boiler and why it is money well spent.
Free Boiler Scheme - What Is Included
The Free Boiler Scheme For 2024 is the best yet and lots Of Freebies Are Included.
Indeed when you add up all the extra measures that have been added this year , the grant is well worth over £5000!
✅ A Brand New A Rated Ideal or Worcester Bosch Boiler Worth Over £2500
✅ FREE Loft & Wall Insulation Package
✅ Free Ventilation Package That Includes Trickle Vents & Extractor Fans
✅ A Full 2 Years Parts & Labour Warranty On Your Boiler
✅ Brand New Wireless Thermostat & Programmer.
✅Danfoss Thermostatic Valves For All Your Radiators.
✅Expert Fitting By Government Approved & Registered Installers
Free Boiler Scheme - What Is Included Index
Introducing Your Free Boiler - Worcester & Ideal
Worcester & Ideal Boilers.
See Worcester boiler review at WHICH BOILER REVIEW
Ideal Logic Boilers are another great workhouse boiler that has been fitted on the Free Boiler Scheme for many years.
Expert Fitting By Government Approved & Registered Installers
All installers that are working on the Government Grant Scheme will be approved and PAS registered.
They will have been vetted in order to be granted access to Government funding.
Warm Front only used tried and tested installers to ensure our clients will get a first class job.
What Warranty Is Included With The Free Boiler
All boilers that are fitted as part of the Free Boiler Grant Scheme come with a 2 Year parts & Labour Warranty.
In some cases, you will get a 5 year warranty but you need to confirm this with your installer.
If you wish to extend your warranty, you can pay a small fee to extend your warranty to 5 or even 10 years.
Ask your Eco Installers for details or you can take out a private warranty with DOMESTIC & GENERAL
Extending your boiler warranty for 10 years is a brilliant investment in my opinion as boilers do breakdown and we cant live without them!
Insulation Is Mandatory!
Insulation Is Not Optional! You will not get a free boiler without having your home insulated first. This is a government requirement that every home is insulated up to current regs.
Insulation is usually carried out first to stop any crafty people having the boiler fitted and then become uncontactable to have the insulation fitted. This has happened in the past and the installer has lost out on full funding
Brand New Wireless Thermostat & Programmer.
State of the art Wi Fi Thermostat & Programmers are included in the grant
Wireless boiler thermostats detect the temperature in your home and turn your heating systems on or off to keep your average temperature at its set level.
Programmers can be set to turn the heating on and off to your requirements.
Free Ventilation Package
To protect your home against mould the Government has introduced a mandatory ventilation requirement for every heating & insulation grant awarded.
You cannot opt out of this and you will not get a grant without ventilation being installed.
More on the benefits of ventilation and how it protects against mould can be found on Environment .com
What Ventilation Measures Are Installed On The Grant?
- Extractor Fans For Kitchen & Bathroom
- Trickle Vents On All Your Windows
- 10 mm under door cuts.
Danfoss Thermostatic Valves For All Your Radiators.
All your radiator valves will be upgraded to Thermostatic ones ( if not already fitted )
These thermostatic radiator valves have inbuilt sensors which shut off the radiator when it reaches the preset temperature.
This will save you money on your energy bill by not producing unnecesary heat.
Read more on TRVs and how they work here
Can I Get A Free Boiler ?
Yes If You Meet The Criteria.
If you meet the Government Strict Rules On Qualification, You Will Get A Boiler 100% Free Of Charge.
Lots Of Other Goodies Available Too. SEE BELOW IF YOU QUALIFY
Are Oil Boilers Included On The Scheme?
Yes -You may be able to replace your oil boiler for a Free Air Source Heat Pump and have Free Solid Wall Insulation too.
You cannot have your oil boiler replaced on a like for like basis.
Please see our GRANTS FOR OIL BOILERS Page.
What Boilers are Fitted On The Free Boiler Scheme?
Depending on your installer, there are many excellent models being fitted on this scheme.
Worcester Bosch & Ideal are the main ones.
Free Boiler Scheme 2024 - Related Content
What Warranty Do You Get ?
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.
Why Should You Replace Your Old Boiler ?
The ECO scheme is an initiative established by the UK government and all the country’s largest energy companies to assist vulnerable households in upgrading their old heating systems. Gas Boilers are the most common type of heating used in the UK so the main focus is upgrading old boilers to more efficient ones.
who pays for the Free Boiler Scheme
Energy Companies: ECO4 grants are funded by the major energy companies below:
- British Gas
- EDF Energy
- E.ON UK
- npower
- Scottish and Southern Electric (SSE)
- Scottish Power
- Southern Electric
How Will You Know If You Have Been Successful
All applications that have merit will usually be contacted by one of our approved installers within 48 hours of receiving your completed form application.
if you are not contacted within this time, you can assume you have been rejected.
we do try to send out an email notice of rejection to most unsuccessful applicants.
Does the boiler grant have to be repaid at a future date?
Boiler grants are 100% free and do not have to be repaid at any time in the future. You will either qualify or not.
Apply Now!
How long does a boiler installation take?
- Usually a straight boiler swap on a like for like basis will take up to 8 hours
- A Back Boiler Conversion takes around 2 Days
- A System boiler to combi usually takes 1 and a half days.
Why A Free Gas Boiler Replacement Scheme?
It costs from £2000 to replace boilers and people on a low income cannot afford to pay this so the government have stepped in and are offering grants that cover the whole cost of boiler replacement.
The free boiler scheme is aimed on people on means tested benefits or very low income.
Free Gas Boiler Replacement Scheme Contact Number
If you are having difficulty applying for the Free Boiler, you can call us on 01902 753404
Can you get a free boiler if you are over 60?
Free Boilers are only available to over 60s that are claiming a qualifying benefit such as Pension Credit or other .
See our list of benefits for details.
What Is An Average Boiler Replacement Cost ?
You should expect to pay from £3000 – £5000 to replace your boiler.
British Gas is a massive machine to feed and so you will pay for this.
However you will get the back up and support from a national company.
If you can afford it then you should engage British Gas to do the work.
free boiler Replacement For Disabled
Being in receipt of PIP (Personal Independence Payment) or DLA (Disability Living Allowance) does not make you eligible for a free boiler any more.
All disability benefits were removed from qualifying for the Eco 4 scheme in March 2022.
Please see below list for NON QUALIFYING BENEFITS.
Any Free boilers for ireland
The Free Boiler Scheme for NI has now closed to new applications.
The UK Eco 4 Scheme is not available to The Republic Of Ireland or Northern Ireland.
For details of new schemes coming out in Northern Ireland please see NI DIRECT.
Is The Boiler Grant Scheme Open To All Age Boilers?
NO- your boiler needs to be over 19 years old or be a back boiler.
We are getting a lot of applicants from people trying their luck stating their boiler is older than it really is.
We check boiler age on the Gas Safe Register which gives us an accurate date of when the boiler was actually installed.
We reject all spurious applications.
Are There Grants For New Combi Boilers ? - My existing Is A System Boiler?
If you have a system boiler fitted, depending on which installer you are allocated, you may be able to get a free conversion to a combi on the grant scheme.
This will depend on how big a grant you are awarded which does depend on existing insulation levels and your EPC rating.
Can I Apply For A Free Boiler Retrospectively
We do get some people who were not aware of the Grant For New Boiler Scheme and have purchased a new boiler privately and then found out they were entitled to the grant. They would like to see if they can claim back the price of the boiler they have paid out from the scheme retrospectively.
Unfortunately, this is not possible and you will not get anywhere by going down this route.
What happens if my application is rejected?
Many applications for a free boiler are now being rejected due to tough criteria.
You will not be eligible applying elsewhere and we suggest you look around for a good deal privately.
We usually email people who have been rejected with a reason.
Is The Free Boiler Scheme A Con?
This scheme is not a con.
If you have applied in the past and been rejected, then you were not eligible.
I have been working on this scheme for over 11 years now and is my livelihood. Apply with confidence.
Does The Boiler Have To Be Faulty To Qualify For The Free Boiler Scheme
The boiler has to be below 85% efficiency which most non condensing boilers are. It does not necessarily have to be faulty to qualify for the free grant.
Our engineers have to do a thorough test including Energy efficiency tests, combustion and safeness tests to qualify it.
This does not apply to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme where all home owners can apply.
How much will a new boiler save me?
An old boiler may only be operating at 65% of its efficiency. You could literally be wasting 35p of every pound you spend on energy. ‘A’ rated boilers operate at around 90% + efficiency which translates into less than 10p wastage. You could save as much as £300 per year by replacing your old boiler with an ‘A’ rated one.
✅Save Over 30% On Your Home Heating Bills ✅ You Get a 100% Grant so pay Nothing
✅Save Yourself £2500 ✅No more expensive boiler insurance ✅Grant Is worth Over £5k with added insulation and ventilation
Maximize Your Chances of Approval For A Free Boiler
Lots of free boiler applications are being rejected in 2024. Please read the following tips to maximise your chance of success in having a free boiler.
COMPLETE FORM CAREFULLY.
Make sure you complete the application form carefully. Any errors or omissions could delay the application process or result in your application being rejected.
ELIGIBILITY
Make sure you meet the eligibility criteria. The boiler scheme is at its toughest now so please make sure you are eligible before applying.
ANSWER YOUR PHONE
Many people make a free boiler application and then are found to be uncontactable by phone or email. Please do not apply if this is you. We only want to spend our time on GENUINE APPLICANTS.
BOILER IMAGE
If your application is accepted, you will be phoned by one of our approved installers and asked for an image of your existing boiler. This is to prove that your boiler is non condensing which is a requirement of the scheme.
DOCUMENTATION
Make sure you have all of the required benefit documentation to hand when having the FREE BOILER SURVEY. Sometimes your benefit paperwork is needed to prove in receipt of the required benefits.
How Will You Know If You Have Been Successful
All applications that have merit will usually be contacted by one of our approved installers within 48 hours of receiving your completed form application.
if you are not contacted within this time, you can assume you have been rejected.
we do try to send out an email notice of rejection to most unsuccessful applicants.
British Gas Boiler Replacement Cost ?
You should expect to pay from £3000 – £5000 for British Gas to replace your boiler.
British Gas is a massive machine to feed and so you will pay for this.
However you will get the back up and support from a national company.
If you can afford it then you should engage British Gas to do the work.
1 – The FREE boiler scheme, was introduced in 2013.
Its aim was to help millions of fuel poor households (those who spend more than 10% of their annual income on fuel) to replace their old or faulty central heating boilers for free.
2 – Only homeowners are eligible to apply.
Since October 2017 the government have changed the rules of the scheme which now excludes the Private Rented Sector.
Landlords now have to take responsibility for their gas heating in their properties.
3 – The Free Boiler Scheme Ends 2026.
Free Boilers are expected to be available until the Energy Company Obligation closes its doors on the scheme in Mar 2026 .
Do not delay if you are interested in applying as the scheme can be cut short at any time.
4 – Save £300 per Year On Bills
You could save up to £300 a year if you’re replacing a G-rated boiler which are extremely inefficient
5: Benefits Needed To Apply
You have to be on certain qualifying benefits to apply.
Pensioners need to be in receipt of Pension Credit and people of working age need to be on means tested benefits.
6 : The Scheme includes free ventilation & Free Insulation worth over £3000!
7. Over one million boilers have been replaced since 2013.
Free Boiler Survey Questions
You will need to supply your personal details and info on your existing boiler ( model – age etc)
This information is strictly respected under our privacy policy and we under take not to pass any data on to any outside sources outside the grant industry.
PLEASE CLICK BELOW BUTTON TO START THE PROCESS
Your Application Checked
Your completed form will come to me personally ( Carlo Lega) and I will check personally all the info you have submitted to me.
If I feel you MAY be eligible, I will forward the whole application to one of out tried and trusted Government Approved Installers who will take up the reins and contact you for surveys etc.
What Is Checked By Warm Front / C Lega
- I will check your property HOME EPC for your current rating as we can only accept applications with a EPC rating of E – F – G or homes with no EPC currently lodged
- I will check the Gas Safe Register to see if a Gas Safe Certificate has been issued which will have the install date of the boiler on it.
- I will check if you are in receipt of benefits.
Common Rejections
- Current EPC is C or D
- Boiler is fitted AFTER 2005
- No Benefits Claimed
All applications above are binned and if an email address has been supplied , I will send out a NOTICE OF REJECTION with the reason why you are not eligible.
Once again we confirm that your data will not be passed on to anyone and I bin applications personally.
Next Stage - Forward To Installer
If I feel your application has potential, I will forward onto one of our installers.
They will perform their own checks as to eligibility.
They will only proceed to the next stage ( SURVEY ) if you pass the next round of checks.
Installer Checks
- DATA MATCH – The installer will send your date of birth for a Data Match check to the DWP which will confirm whether you are on the correct benefits to qualify for the grant.
If you are eligible , a data match number will be provided to the installer for a fee of approx £4
- LAND REGISTRY CHECK – Again for a fee a search on the Land Registry Register is performed to ascertain ownership of the property.
The applicant must own the property or actually live with the home owner to qualify.
- BOILER CHECK – The installer will phone the applicant and request a picture of the boiler to prove that it is a non condensing boiler and actually qualifies.
- survey booked – If all installer checks are satisfactory , you will move to the Survey stage and you will be given a survey date by the installer.
Installer Survey
The installer will appoint a Domestic Energy Assessor to survey your property. The survey will consist of
- The whole house is measured and each individual room.
- A floor plan will be prepared.
- Photos taken of each room
- Photos taken of existing heating & insulation levels.
Energy Performance Rating Prepared.
The survey will be used to prepare an energy performance rating of the property.
The property will have to achieve a prescribed rating in order for the funding to be released for the install.
There are instances where the correct score is not achieved and so the install of any measures could not go head.
This does happen in about 10% of all applications that do get to survey stage.
The government do not make these schemes easy unfortunately.
Successful Energy Performance Rating Achieved - Install Booked.
If all goes well your install will be booked. This is usually within 14 days of survey
Ventilation & Insulation Booked For Install.
It is mandatory for all grant applications to ensure the home is adequately insulated to keep in precious heat and that the home is properly ventilated allow it to breathe and to control mould issues.
YOU WILL NOT GET THE HEATING GRANT WITHOUT INSULATION & VENTILATION
Insulation of walls & loft are usually carried out first, followed by ventilation measures.
These measures are done first to ensure that they get done as people have in the past had the heating upgrade carried out but then refused to have the required insulation & vents.
Doing them first has put paid to this now.
What Insulation Is Fitted?
Your loft will be insulated to leave a finished insulation height of 270 – 300mm.
This is the government recommended thickness and will reduce heat loss through the roof by 25%.
Your walls ( if cavity ) will be drilled and bead or rockwool will be blown into them. This will save you up to a third of your walls heat loss.
What Ventilation Is Fitted?
To ensure the house can breathe the following measures will be fitted to each grant application.
- Trickle Vents to your windows
- Extractor fans to your bathroom and kitchen
- 10 mm Under door cuts to your doors
Your heating upgrade ( new boiler – central heating – heat pump ) will be booked in shortly after.
A new boiler usually takes a day to fit
Heating Upgrade Booked In
Pensioners in receipt of Pension Credit Can Apply for a British Gas Free Boiler
Pensioners are still subject to the same criteria regarding boiler age and home Epc Rating.