Are There Free Boiler Schemes?

What Are Free Boiler Schemes?

A free boiler scheme is a programme that helps people obtain a free or subsidised boiler. They are usually accessible to households who are at an economic disadvantage, possibly suffering from fuel or energy poverty.

The main scheme is the government's Energy Companies Obligation (ECO4), with the objective to make suppliers promote measures to improve the ability of low income, fuel poor and vulnerable households to heat their homes.

There are other free boiler schemes available that aim to help households meet their energy requirements. These are run by the companies themselves to help their customers.

Here’s a list of some of the funds that may be available to you.

Free Boiler Schemes and Grants

• ECO4

• British Gas free boiler scheme

• ScottishPower Hardship Fund

• OVO Energy Fund

• E.ON Energy Fund

What Is The Energy Company Obligation (ECO)

ECO is a boiler replacement scheme run by the government.

It helps homeowners on low incomes or those claiming benefits by instructing energy companies to offer free boiler replacements.

Since launching in 2013, ECO has helped cut carbon emissions in more than 850,000 homes.

Due to installing modern, energy efficient gas models, ECO not only enables people to receive better heating but reduces the amount of energy being used.

ECO4, the latest version of the initiative, started in July 2022 and is due to finish on 31st March 2026. It replaced the previous ECO3 scheme.

The scheme is made up entirely of the Home Heating Cost Reduction Obligation (HHCRO).

It is a policy that pushes large energy suppliers to replace or upgrade failing heating systems in households that are economically at a disadvantage.

The free boiler scheme requires suppliers to provide any or all of the following to people who qualify, at a free or heavily discounted rate:

• Wall insulation

• Loft insulation

• Gas boiler replacement

Can I Get a Free Boiler?

As long as you meet the requirements designed to help the people who need it most then you can get a free boiler through schemes such as ECO4. The best boilers in 2024 gives you an idea about what's the best on the market.

However, if you do not fit the requirements, you can still benefit from getting a new boiler as it will save you hundreds over the appliance's lifespan.

Just enter a few details to get a free boiler quote from one of our trusted experts.

How Do I Qualify For Free Boiler Schemes?

There are a few ways you can qualify for free boiler schemes. One is if you are part of the Warm Home Discount Scheme. You can search for a qualifying benefit in the following table.

Don't Qualify?

See how much a new boiler costs.

Who Supplies Free Boilers?

It will be the energy company's job to supply you with your new, free boiler.

Once the energy company has enough customers and supplies them with a required level of gas and electricity, the energy company is then made to enter into the free boiler scheme under ECO4.

The regulator, Ofgem, then calculates the target that a business must reach and companies are compelled to supply people with new boilers, either for free or a heavily subsidised price until they meet their target.

Can Energy Companies Receive Penalties For Missing Targets?

Yes. The government can inflict financial penalties of up to 10% of a licensee’s turnover. An example being Utilita Energy, which was fined £175,000 after failing to meet carbon emission reduction obligations.

The money was then put into the Energy Redress scheme, which is a fund created by Energy Saving Trust. This gives charities money to help economically disadvantaged households meet their energy needs.

Pros and Cons of ECO4

Pros

• Enables people that are at an economical disadvantage get better, free boilers

• Forces energy companies to comply

• Benefits the environment by improving homes energy efficiency

• Energy companies will be fined if they miss targets and funds received are there to help customers

• Easy to find out if you’re eligible

Cons

• Not always guaranteed to be free for customers

• Only applicable to those that are the most economically challenged

Alternative Government Schemes That Help With Energy Bills

Winter Fuel Payment

Instead of a free boiler, you might qualify for funds to help heat your home. If you were born on or before 26th September 1955 you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’.

You should receive your Winter Fuel Payment automatically but if you think you haven’t and consider yourself eligible then you can also apply manually.

Cold Weather Payment

The Cold Weather Payment is where the government may give you £25 for each week between the start of November and the end of March. This is on the basis that there are seven consecutive days which are zero degrees Celsius or below.

If you receive any of the following:

• Pension Credit

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• Universal Credit

Apply for the Cold Weather Payment here.

Warm Home Discount

If you're a pensioner or live in a low-income home, you may qualify for the Warm Home Discount which is a one-off £140 discount on your electricity bill between September and March.

You can still receive your Cold Weather or Winter Fuel payment.

If you’d prefer to get a discount on your gas bill instead, you can do as long as the same company supplies you with gas and electricity. You should contact your supplier if you’d like it switched.

Affordable Warmth Obligation (AWO)

There’s also the AWO, which is the same as the ECO scheme.

ECO used to be made up of two parts: the AWO which focuses on providing warmth to underprivileged homes and the Carbon Emissions Reduction Obligation (CERO) which focuses on what it says in the title.

Unfortunately, CERO was dropped from the programme in 2018 by the government, making the focus solely on ECO. So now AWO and ECO are one and the same.

Alternative Schemes From Energy Companies

If you are not eligible for the free boiler schemes, there are energy companies that are happy to help people without being prompted by the government and in some cases, you don’t even have to be a customer with that supplier.

Depending on which energy company you’re with, you may be able to seek help elsewhere other than the ECO.

British Gas

The British Gas Energy Trust is an independent charitable trust set up to support families and individuals who are struggling to pay their bills across England.

Regardless of whether you’re a British Gas customer or not, the trust might be able to offer you a grant to clear your electricity or gas debts.

To qualify for help, here are the requirements:

• Have received financial advice before applying

• Have an income below £13,260 per year

• Demonstrate vulnerabilities within the household

SSE

If you’re an SSE customer who’s having trouble paying a bill you can call 0345 026 2658.

SSE provides energy debt relief and pays for customers’ white goods during certain points of the year - so it’s worth noting that this isn’t available all of the time.

SSE can also help with the following:

• Spread your debt across multiple repayments

• Installing a free energy meter

• Allow you to pay for your energy debt with your benefits, as long as you receive one of the following: income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit, or Universal Credit

Summary

It’s great to see free boiler schemes and the government enforcing targets to larger energy companies that not only help people all over the UK to get cheaper energy bills but free boilers.

If it sounds like you’re eligible, you should apply for free boiler schemes like the ECO4 and get the help you deserve.

Alternatively, get a quote for a boiler by filling in our form.