Am I Eligible for a Boiler Grant in the UK?

There is no general grant for a like-for-like gas boiler replacement. The main UK schemes fund a switch away from a fossil-fuel boiler — the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) supports low-carbon heating such as heat pumps, and ECO4 supports wider heating and insulation upgrades for eligible low-income or vulnerable households. Whether you qualify depends on your property, current heating system and, for ECO4, your circumstances. This guide explains how each scheme works so you can check properly before you budget around a grant.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a government grant for homeowners and small businesses in England and Wales who want to replace a fossil-fuel boiler (or electric heating without a heat pump) with a low-carbon system.

What it’s for: it does not fund a replacement gas boiler. It funds a switch to:

• An air source or ground source heat pump
• A biomass boiler (restricted to properties off the gas grid)
• A heat battery

What it’s worth: grant amounts vary by system and, at times, by scheme period — figures have included up to £7,500 off a heat pump, a higher uplift for eligible off-grid oil/LPG properties switching to a heat pump, and lower amounts for heat batteries. Because grant amounts and time-limited uplifts change, always check the current figure on GOV.UK or the Ofgem-run scheme page before you plan your budget around it — do not rely on a figure you’ve seen quoted elsewhere.

Who’s eligible, broadly:

• You own the home or small business (not typically available to private tenants applying directly).
• You currently have a fossil-fuel heating system, or electric heating without a heat pump.
• Your installer is MCS-certified (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) and a member of an approved consumer code, such as RECC or HIES.

How to apply: you don’t apply directly — an MCS-certified installer applies for the voucher on your behalf as part of quoting your installation. That means your first step is getting quotes from certified installers, not filling in a grant form yourself.

ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation)

ECO4 is a different scheme, funded by energy suppliers rather than central government, aimed at improving the heating and insulation of homes for low-income or vulnerable households, or homes that are hard to heat efficiently.

What it can cover: ECO4 can fund a range of measures, which may include a boiler replacement, alongside insulation and other efficiency improvements, depending on what’s assessed as needed for the property.

Who’s eligible: eligibility is means-tested and based on specific criteria (such as receiving certain benefits, or living in a home with a low energy efficiency rating). Criteria and the measures on offer vary, so eligibility isn’t something you can confirm from a general guide — you need to check against the current scheme rules or speak to an ECO4-registered installer or your energy supplier.

Ways to reduce boiler cost without a grant

If you don’t qualify for BUS or ECO4 and simply need a like-for-like gas boiler replacement, there’s no grant route — but there are still legitimate ways to bring the cost down. Our new boiler cost guide covers these in full, including fixed-price installer packages, off-season fitting, and why comparing three or more quotes is the single biggest lever on price.

How to check your eligibility properly

Because grant schemes, amounts and eligibility rules change, the safest approach is:

1. Check GOV.UK directly for the current Boiler Upgrade Scheme rules and grant amount before assuming a figure applies to you.
2. Ask installers directly — an MCS-certified installer (for BUS) or an ECO4-registered installer can tell you quickly whether your property and circumstances qualify.
3. Don’t commit based on a quoted grant figure alone — confirm it’s current and that your installer is properly certified to apply for it on your behalf.
4. If you’re replacing a gas boiler like-for-like, plan around the standard cost ranges instead — see our new boiler cost guide.

Through Trusted Tradesmen Quotes, you can request free, no-obligation quotes from local Gas Safe plumbers and heating engineers, who can also point you toward certified installers if a low-carbon, grant-funded system is right for your home.

Get free quotes from Gas Safe heating engineers near you and ask about your options, grant-funded or not.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a free boiler in the UK?

Not for a standard, like-for-like gas boiler — there’s no general grant for that. You may qualify for a fully or partly funded heating upgrade through ECO4 if you meet the low-income or vulnerable-household criteria, or for a grant toward a heat pump (not a gas boiler) through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Eligibility depends on your circumstances and property, so check the current criteria rather than assuming.

Does the Boiler Upgrade Scheme pay for a new gas boiler?

No. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme funds a switch away from fossil-fuel heating — to a heat pump, biomass boiler (off-grid properties) or heat battery — not a replacement gas boiler. If you’re replacing gas with gas, see our new boiler cost guide for standard pricing instead.

Who is eligible for ECO4?

ECO4 eligibility is means-tested, generally based on receiving certain benefits or living in a home with poor energy efficiency. Because the criteria are specific and can change, check with an ECO4-registered installer or your energy supplier to confirm whether you qualify, rather than assuming from general guidance.

How much is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant worth?

Grant amounts vary by the system you’re installing and can change over time, including time-limited higher amounts for some off-grid properties. Because figures are updated periodically, always check the current amount on GOV.UK before budgeting, rather than relying on a figure quoted elsewhere.

Do I apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme myself?

No — an MCS-certified installer applies for the grant voucher on your behalf as part of quoting your installation. Your first step is getting quotes from certified installers, who can confirm your eligibility and handle the application.