Can you get a boiler grant in the UK?
There is no general grant for replacing a gas boiler with another gas boiler. The main schemes fund a move away from fossil fuels, or help low-income households. Which one applies depends on your home and circumstances, so check the official pages before you plan around any grant.
Rules and amounts change, because schemes open and close. We last checked this guide in October 2026, and you should confirm every figure on GOV.UK and the scheme pages before you act.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) helps homeowners in England and Wales switch to low-carbon heating. It does not fund a new gas boiler. It supports heat pumps, and biomass boilers in rural homes that are off the gas grid.
At the time of writing, the government’s grants listing shows £7,500 off an air source or ground source heat pump, and £5,000 off a biomass boiler. Energy Saving Trust reports a temporary higher grant of £9,000 for eligible off-gas homes from 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027. Amounts and end dates can change, so check the current figure.
To qualify, the home needs a valid energy performance certificate, and an MCS-certified installer must fit the system. The installer applies for the voucher for you. Your first step is therefore to get quotes from certified installers, not to fill in a grant form.
ECO4
ECO4 (the Energy Company Obligation) is paid for by energy suppliers. While it was open, it aimed to improve heating and insulation for low-income and vulnerable households in less efficient homes. Eligibility depends on means.
The government has confirmed that ECO4 ends on 31 December 2026, with no further extension and no direct successor. Some installers and councils describe it as closed to new work already. If you think you may qualify, ask your energy supplier or local council what help is still on offer.
If there is no grant
If you simply need a like-for-like gas boiler, there is no grant route. You can still bring the cost down. Compare at least three written quotes, ask about fixed-price packages and avoid peak winter if you can. Our new boiler cost guide has more.
How to check your eligibility
- Read the current Boiler Upgrade Scheme page on GOV.UK.
- Ask an MCS-certified installer whether your home qualifies.
- Ask your local council about help for low-income households.
- Do not commit to a grant-funded system until you have the scheme terms in writing.
You can also send us your job to compare quotes from local heating engineers. We do not vet or guarantee them, so check each engineer on the Gas Safe Register.
Keep reading and compare quotes
Once you know what you can claim, ask for quotes from plumbers in London, plumbers in Manchester or plumbers in Birmingham. You can also start from our plumbers page.
Not sure whether your boiler is worth replacing? Read when to replace a boiler. Before you book anyone, see how to find a tradesman you can trust.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a free boiler in the UK?
Not for a standard like-for-like gas boiler. Some low-income households may have had help through ECO4, which ends on 31 December 2026. Ask your supplier or council.
Does the Boiler Upgrade Scheme pay for a new gas boiler?
No, because it funds heat pumps, and biomass boilers in some rural homes. Homes in England and Wales can apply.
How much is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant worth?
The government’s grants listing shows £7,500 for a heat pump at the time of writing. A temporary higher grant applies to some off-gas homes. Check the current figure before you budget.
Do I apply for the scheme myself?
No, since your MCS-certified installer applies for the voucher on your behalf.