Get a brand-new A-rated condensing boiler installed for £0 under the government’s ECO4 scheme. If your home has an EPC rating of D–G, your boiler is old, broken or inefficient, and someone in your household receives a qualifying benefit (or you qualify through LA Flex), you could get a heating upgrade worth up to around £10,000. ECO4 closes on 31 December 2026.
The Free Boiler Scheme is part of the UK Government’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) programme. It aims to help low-income households replace old, inefficient boilers with new, energy-saving models at no cost.
So far, over 243,000 homes have received upgrades under ECO4, including free boilers, insulation, and heating system improvements – leading to £138.5 million in total annual bill savings across the UK.
If your EPC rating is D, E, F, or G, this scheme can help you lower energy bills, reduce carbon emissions, and keep your home warmer for less.
Quick answer: The free boiler grant is funding from the government’s ECO4 scheme that pays for a new A-rated condensing boiler (and often insulation) for low-income households living in energy-inefficient homes. If someone in your home receives a qualifying benefit and your EPC rating is D–G, you could get a replacement boiler for £0. ECO4 closes on 31 December 2026.
| Scheme | Energy Company Obligation (ECO4), a UK government scheme administered by Ofgem and funded by large energy suppliers |
|---|---|
| Cost to you | £0 for eligible households – it is not a loan and nothing is repaid |
| Typical value | Heating and insulation packages commonly worth up to around £10,000 |
| Who qualifies | Households receiving a qualifying benefit (e.g. Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit), or lower-income households referred through LA Flex |
| Property | Homes in England, Scotland and Wales rated EPC D–G; tenants need landlord permission |
| What can be replaced | Old non-condensing, broken or inefficient boilers, electric storage heaters, LPG, oil and solid-fuel systems |
| Deadline | ECO4 closes on 31 December 2026 – work must be completed before then |
| What replaces it | The Warm Homes Plan, expected from 2027 |
Sources: Ofgem – Energy Company Obligation (ECO); GOV.UK – Help from your energy supplier: the Energy Company Obligation.
Here’s what’s typically included and what those parts might cost in the UK:
Component | What’s Included | Typical Cost Estimate* |
A-rated condensing boiler | New high-efficiency boiler | £2,500 – £6,000 depending on size, type, and complexity |
New radiators | One or more radiators | ~£200 per radiator installed |
TRVs & smart heating controls | Thermostatic radiator valves & smart thermostat | Thermostat: £120–£220, installation £30–£80 |
Pipework / plumbing | New or modified pipes as needed | Variable (included in full system estimate) |
Installation / labour | Certified engineers doing the fit-out | Included in full system cost ranges |
Insulation (optional) | Loft, cavity wall, etc. | Depending on the home, it can cost from £1,000+ (if needed) |
*These are estimates drawn from UK market data. Actual costs vary by region, home size, existing infrastructure, and complexity.
To qualify for a Free Boiler Grant under the ECO4 Scheme, your property and household must meet the following requirements:
|
Criteria |
Details |
|
Homeownership |
Must be a homeowner or private tenant (living with the homeowner). |
|
Benefits |
At least one household member receives an eligible government benefit. |
|
EPC Rating |
Property must have an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G. |
|
Gas Meter |
Installed before April 2022. |
|
Existing Boiler |
Must be non-condensing (pre-2005) or there’s no boiler installed. |
If you notice these signs, apply for the ECO4 boiler grant today and upgrade your old heating system for free!
Over 4 million UK households are still stuck with old, inefficient boilers — paying more than they should. The ECO4 Boiler Scheme helps them upgrade to high-efficiency systems completely free of cost.
Getting your free boiler upgrade under the ECO4 scheme is quick and hassle-free.
Fill out our 60-second online form to confirm your eligibility – no long calls or paperwork needed.
A certified retrofit assessor will inspect your current heating system and EPC rating to confirm your grant.
Your brand-new boiler and heating upgrades will be installed by Gas Safe and PAS 2035-approved engineers – at zero cost to you.
If your home isn’t connected to the gas network, you could qualify for a free air source heat pump and solar panels under the government-backed ECO4 scheme.
No space for heat pump installation? Upgrade to modern high heat retention storage heaters – ideal for efficient, low-carbon heating all year round.
Even if you don’t receive government benefits, ECO4 LA Flex lets your local council refer you for a fully funded heating upgrade worth up to £10,000 — no upfront cost.
The UK government aims to reduce carbon emissions and provide assistance to low-income or elderly homeowners to change old coal-fired heating to gas boilers. The boiler replacement scheme for over 60s covers the cost of a new boiler including installation for eligible pensioners who struggle to pay high energy bills because of earning a low income.
To help lower heating costs of households who live in fuel poverty, the government plans to install energy-efficient free gas boilers. They recycle heat from exhaust gases, making condensing gas boilers more efficient than other heating systems. They use less energy and can be vented with PVC condensate pipes.
Combi boilers are best for small to medium-sized homes – usually with up to three bedrooms and one bathroom. They provide hot water with warmth on demand, making them ideal for households with up to four people, including senior citizens.
System boilers are ideal for larger homes with multiple rooms and bathrooms. They store hot water in a separate cylinder, making them perfect for families of up to six people. These boilers provide consistent heating and hot water, making them a great choice for people over 60 living in big homes.
The government’s free boiler scheme replaces old, inefficient heating systems that cost too much to run. Eligible households struggling with high energy bills can get a free boiler upgrade. Check below! If you have any of these heating systems, you may qualify for a back boiler replacement grant. Eligible systems include:
Old gas, oil, or LPG boilers with low efficiency.
Outdated models consuming excessive electricity.
Inefficient and can be costly to operate, especially as they get older.
Expensive to run due to the high cost of LPG imports.
Coal or wood-burning systems that are inefficient and polluting.
Standalone gas heaters with poor heating capacity.
Old boilers fitted behind fireplaces, wasting energy.
Homes with old floor-standing boilers are also eligible for replacement.
The free replacement boiler grants change your outdated heating systems with energy-efficient boilers. Eligible replacements include
Combi boilers are perfect for small to medium-sized homes – up to 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. They provide heating in addition to hot water supply on demand, making them great for up to 4 people.
System boilers are suitable for larger homes with multiple rooms and bathrooms; they will definitely be adequate for more than 4 bedrooms. They can warm up households of up to 6 persons. Such boilers store heated water in a separate cylinder, providing a reliable supply of hot water and central heating.
Combi boilers are perfect for small to medium-sized homes – up to 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. They provide heating in addition to hot water supply on demand, making them great for up to 4 people.
System boilers are suitable for larger homes with multiple rooms and bathrooms; they will definitely be adequate for more than 4 bedrooms. They can warm up households of up to 6 persons. Such boilers store heated water in a separate cylinder, providing a reliable supply of hot water and central heating.
Yes. The government extended ECO4 by nine months, and the scheme now closes on 31 December 2026. There will be no carry-over arrangements, so your eligibility check, home survey and installation all need to be completed before that date. Survey slots fill up quickly towards the end of a scheme, so it is worth applying now.
From 2027, ECO4 is due to be replaced by the government’s Warm Homes Plan, which is expected to focus more on heat pumps, solar panels and whole-house retrofits than on boiler replacements. If you are hoping for a free boiler replacement, applying under ECO4 now is the safest option.
Source: Ofgem – Energy Company Obligation.
Yes. The free boiler scheme is the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4), a UK government scheme administered by Ofgem and funded by large energy suppliers. Eligible households pay nothing for a new boiler or heating upgrade because the work is paid for through the supplier obligation, not a loan.
Homeowners and private tenants (with landlord permission) in England, Scotland and Wales can qualify if the home is rated EPC D–G and someone in the household receives a qualifying benefit, such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Child Benefit (income limits apply). Households not on benefits may qualify through LA Flex.
Full ECO4 heating and insulation packages are commonly worth up to around £10,000. There is no fixed cash grant: the funding goes directly to the approved installer, and eligible households pay £0 for the funded work.
ECO4 closes on 31 December 2026 following a nine-month extension. There are no carry-over arrangements, so surveys and installations must be completed before that date. The scheme is due to be replaced by the Warm Homes Plan from 2027.
Possibly. Through LA Flex (ECO4 Flexible Eligibility), local councils can refer lower-income households – often those earning under about £31,000 a year, depending on the council – and people whose health is made worse by living in a cold home.
A broken or inefficient boiler can be replaced under ECO4, but the scheme usually funds it as part of a wider package that improves the home’s EPC rating, such as insulation or heating controls. A retrofit assessor confirms which measures your home needs during the free survey.
After a 60-second eligibility check, a retrofit assessor surveys your home. Once funding is approved, installation usually takes 1–3 days. The total time from application to installation depends on survey availability and approval in your area.
Yes. Private tenants can apply if they meet the benefit or LA Flex criteria, but the landlord must give written permission for the work. Social housing tenants are usually covered through their council or housing association.
No. ECO4 funding is not a loan and never needs to be repaid. Eligible households are not charged for the funded measures; in rare cases a small top-up may be requested if funding does not cover a specific job, and this is always agreed before any work starts.