Does your boiler need to be updated to be more efficient? Are you concerned about the cost of installing a new boiler in your home? Whether replacing an old boiler or installing a heating system for the first time. We’ll show you how to get a free boiler in 2024 with the Eco4 Scheme.
To decarbonize UK households by 2050, the UK government provides various eco energy grants and schemes to assist everyone, regardless of financial circumstances, in upgrading their boilers. One of the most significant and comprehensive programs is the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4), currently in its fourth phase. For people who need to be qualified for ECO4 upgrades, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is an eco offering options for replacing outdated boilers and non condensing boilers.
This guide at Free Boiler Scheme will cover everything you need for a free boiler in 2024.
Energy Company Obligation (ECO4)
The ECO4 scheme aims to assist low-income and vulnerable homes across the UK in combating fuel poverty, decreasing carbon emissions, and drastically lowering energy expenses. It provides half or full assistance to qualified homes for various energy-efficiency initiatives, with free boiler grants being one of its primary priorities.
To be eligible for a free boiler grant under ECO4 UK, you must demonstrate that you actually need it. You must also be receiving specific benefits, such as a child benefit or a universal benefit. This scheme has no established eligibility criteria and is primarily up to the energy suppliers to determine. In general, you will be eligible if your household’s combined income is £31,000 or less or if one of your household members has a health condition that makes them vulnerable to cold weather.
Eligibility Criteria for the ECO4 Boiler Grant Scheme
The UK’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) plan aims to help families reduce energy use and heating costs by implementing energy efficiency measures. To qualify for the ECO4 scheme, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Property Eligibility:
- Homes with low energy efficiency ratings, specifically those with an EPC grade of D, E, F, or G.
- Properties require considerable energy efficiency improvements.
- Vulnerable households
- Those designated as vulnerable or fuel poor, such as older people, families with young children, and people whose health concerns are exacerbated by the cold.
Private Tenants and Landlords
- Private tenants can apply with their landlord’s permission.
- Landlords may be required to contribute towards the cost of improvements.
- Meeting these criteria may grant access to various energy efficiency measures financed by the ECO4 initiative, such as insulation, heating system upgrades, and other improvements to lower energy bills and increase home comfort.
ECO4 Scheme: Free Insulation Grant
The ECO4 scheme takes a first approach, which means that your home must be insulated appropriately before you can apply for a free boiler grant. This method ensures that your home maintains heat efficiently, lowering energy use and costs. ECO4 provides comprehensive grants for insulating your entire home, including cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, and underfloor insulation.
However, ECO4 does not stop with insulation. Once your property has been examined and deemed suitable, the initiative offers other energy grants for various energy efficiency improvements.
Free Heating Upgrades with the ECO4 Scheme.
The ECO4 plan has particular regulations and priorities, so you cannot qualify for any energy efficiency improvements you pick. Instead, the initiative focuses on modifications to increase energy savings and efficiency. Here are some essential regulations regarding heating upgrades under the ECO4 scheme:
Gas boiler Upgrades: are only available to homeowners. The property has an inefficient boiler. Non condensing boilers 15 years old.
First-Time Gas Central Heating: Can be installed in houses that have never had a wet central heating system. This property home must have had a never-installed central heating before.
Insulation: As part of the ECO4 scheme’s holistic approach, properties with uninsulated cavity walls or roofs will be given free insulation. Before further heating enhancements, ensure your property is well-insulated, improving energy efficiency.
Which Boilers Does ECO4 Cover?
Under ECO4, qualified families in Scotland, Wales, and England can receive various energy-efficiency measures. These include free boilers, new heating solutions and boiler maintenance.
- Repairing broken boilers
Not all boilers require replacement. Depending on the kind and efficiency of your current boiler, you may be eligible for a free boiler repair through the ECO4 scheme. This involves diagnosing your boiler, cleaning it, and repairing or replacing malfunctioning parts like valves and thermostats. Repairing gas boilers is prioritised since they are more efficient than coal, oil, or LPG-powered systems. If your boiler is over 10-15 years old or beyond repair, you will be eligible for a free replacement with a more energy-efficient model.
- Upgrade to Green Heating Systems.
The ECO4 boiler scheme seeks to make the world greener while lowering carbon emissions. If your current boiler has low energy efficiency and excessive carbon emissions, you may be qualified for a replacement. The replacement boiler must have an A rating, such as a condensing gas boiler. All coal-fired boilers are prohibited from the ECO4 scheme since they release much carbon dioxide and hurt the environment. It contradicts the ECO4’s ultimate goal of decarbonizing UK households.
- First-Time Central Heating
ECO4 isn’t simply for improving old, outdated boilers. If your house has never had a central heating system, and you plan to acquire a green, high-efficiency heating system, you may be eligible for a free boiler grant in the UK.
How to apply for a free boiler under the ECO4 scheme.
Applying for a free boiler through the ECO4 plan with Free boiler Scheme is quick and uncomplicated. Just complete our simple online form and let our eco specialists in the UK handle the rest.
First, we perform a thorough evaluation of your eligibility. Once approved, we assess your home to recommend the ideal boiler based on size, heating requirements, and preferences. We then connect you with top-rated installers in your region to ensure the best results. From start to finish, we supervise the entire application process to guarantee that everything proceeds smoothly and quickly.
For a more in-depth look at the BUS, check out our blog about The “A Guide To Free Home Upgrades”.
Make your home greener with the Free Boiler Scheme.
Rely on us at Free Boiler Scheme to make your transition to a more environmentally friendly house as simple as possible. We will examine your home to determine your eligibility and identify all of the free energy-efficiency improvements you can receive to fully decarbonise it.
We provide comprehensive support with insulation, boiler replacements, and first time central heating grants, so you don’t hesitate to join the green movement and contribute to a more sustainable future.