Free Boiler Grant UK: Check If You Qualify for the ECO4 Scheme
By Peter Davies, ECO4 Analyst
Reviewed
If you or someone in your household receives a qualifying benefit and your home has an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G, you may be able to get a boiler replaced at no cost through the government's ECO4 scheme. ECO4 is delivered by energy suppliers under a legal obligation from Ofgem, not by freeboilerupgrade.uk directly — we check your eligibility and handle the application on your behalf, free of charge, and connect you with a Gas Safe registered installer if you qualify.
ECO4 scheme closes
31 Dec 2026
Ofgem Delivery Guidance v4.0
Bill for eligible households
£0
Funded by your energy supplier
New boiler efficiency
90–94%
vs 60–70% for an old back boiler
Typical check to install
4–6 weeks
Varies by area and installer
What Is the ECO4 Free Boiler Grant?
freeboilerupgrade.uk is an independent, Companies House registered eligibility-check and application-assistance service that helps UK households access government-backed energy grants — including ECO4, LA Flex, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and Warm Homes: Local Grant — by checking eligibility and connecting approved applicants with Gas Safe registered installers.
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) is a UK government energy efficiency scheme, administered by Ofgem, that legally requires large energy suppliers (including British Gas, EDF, E.ON, Octopus, OVO and Scottish Power) to fund home heating improvements for low-income and fuel-poor households. It runs from July 2022 to 31 December 2026.
For boilers specifically, ECO4 can fund the removal of an old, inefficient boiler and its replacement with a new A-rated condensing boiler, including parts, labour and a gas safety certificate, at no cost to eligible households. It's sometimes called the "free boiler grant" or "back boiler replacement grant" because it commonly targets old back boilers and G-rated non-condensing boilers first.
Important: freeboilerupgrade.uk is an independent eligibility-check and application-assistance service. We are not the government, not an energy supplier, and not the installer. We check whether you're likely to qualify, prepare and submit your application to the scheme, and connect you with a Gas Safe registered installer from our network if you're approved.
Bottom line —ECO4 is a genuine, Ofgem-regulated government scheme that funds free boiler replacements for eligible households. freeboilerupgrade.uk checks your eligibility and handles the application on your behalf — we're not the government, your energy supplier, or the installer.
Am I Eligible for a Free Boiler Grant?
There are two main routes to qualify. You generally only need to meet one of them, plus the property criteria below.
You're likely to qualify if you or someone in your household receives one of the following:
If you don't receive any of the benefits above, you may still qualify through your local council's LA Flex (Local Authority Flexible Eligibility) scheme, which lets councils set their own criteria for low-income or vulnerable households — for example, a household income below a threshold the council sets (commonly, though not universally, around £31,000). Because LA Flex rules differ by council, the fastest way to know if this applies to you is to run our eligibility checker.
Not sure where you stand? Check your eligibility — it takes about a minute and won't affect your credit score.
Ready to Check Your Eligibility?
Find out if you're likely to qualify for a free boiler replacement under the government-backed ECO4 scheme — no obligation, and it won't affect your credit score.
Bottom line —Meet either route — a qualifying benefit, or your council's LA Flex criteria — plus the property requirements above, and you're very likely to qualify for a fully-funded ECO4 boiler.
What's Included in a Free Boiler Replacement
For eligible households, ECO4 boiler measures typically cover:
What it doesn't automatically include: cosmetic bathroom or kitchen work unrelated to the heating system, or upgrades beyond what the assessment identifies as necessary. If your property needs a wider package of measures (insulation, for example) to meet ECO4's whole-house efficiency standard, your assessor will explain this as part of your survey.
Bottom line —ECO4 covers the full boiler swap — removal, a new A-rated boiler, pipework, a smart control and a safety certificate. It doesn't stretch to unrelated bathroom or kitchen work.
What Does It Cost?
For households who meet the eligibility criteria above, the boiler replacement itself, including installation, is funded by the obligated energy supplier under ECO4, so there's no bill for you to pay. There isn't one single fixed "grant amount": the scheme funds the specific combination of measures your home is assessed as needing to reach the required efficiency improvement, which is why you'll see different figures quoted across the web. Your energy bills after installation are the main ongoing saving: a new A-rated condensing boiler typically runs at around 90–94% efficiency compared with 60–70% for an old back boiler, which is where most households' annual savings come from.
A small number of households may be asked for a modest contribution where their measures package goes beyond what the scheme obligation covers — this is uncommon, and your assessor will always tell you before any work starts. You should never be asked to pay an upfront fee, deposit, or "admin charge" simply to check your eligibility or submit an application.
Bottom line —There's no single fixed grant amount — ECO4 funds whatever combination of measures your home needs. What's guaranteed is that eligible households pay nothing upfront, and you should never be charged a fee just to check or apply.
How the Process Works
- 1
Check eligibility (2 minutes)
Answer a few questions online about your benefits, income, EPC rating and boiler age. Start here.
- 2
Home survey
If you're likely to qualify, a qualified engineer visits to assess your current heating system and confirm what your home needs.
- 3
Application and approval
We handle the paperwork and submit your application to the relevant ECO4 obligated supplier or your local council's LA Flex scheme on your behalf.
- 4
Installation
A Gas Safe registered engineer fits your new boiler, usually over 1–2 days depending on your property.
Bottom line —Typical timeline: most households go from initial check to completed installation in around 4–6 weeks, though this varies by area and installer availability, especially as suppliers approach their obligation deadlines near the scheme's close.
Is the Free Boiler Grant Scheme Legitimate?
Yes. ECO4 is a genuine, Ofgem-regulated government scheme — it isn't a scam, and it isn't a "handout for nothing"; it's a legal obligation placed on large energy suppliers to fund efficiency improvements for vulnerable households. That said, the scheme's popularity has made it a target for cold-calling scams, so it's worth knowing the difference:
freeboilerupgrade.uk is Companies House registered and works only with Gas Safe registered installers — you can verify any installer we introduce you to directly with the Gas Safe Register before work begins.
Bottom line —ECO4 is real and Ofgem-regulated — but never pay an upfront fee, and always verify an installer's Gas Safe and TrustMark registration yourself before any work starts.
What If I Don't Qualify?
If you don't meet the ECO4 criteria above, you may still have options:
We'll tell you plainly if you don't qualify for the free boiler grant specifically, and point you toward whichever of these fits your situation.
| Scheme | Best for | What you get | Income/benefit tested? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECO4 (this page) | Households on a qualifying benefit, EPC D–G | Free A-rated boiler replacement — no fixed amount | Yes — benefit or LA Flex route |
| LA Flex | Low income, not on a listed benefit | Same measures as ECO4 — council sets criteria | Yes — council income threshold |
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme | Any homeowner wanting a heat pump | £7,500 toward an air source heat pump | No — open to all incomes |
| Great British Insulation Scheme | Homes needing insulation, wider income bands | Free or subsidised loft/cavity/floor insulation | Partially — wider eligibility than ECO4 |
| Warm Homes: Local Grant | Households not covered by the above | Council-delivered grant, part of the Warm Homes Plan | Yes — local authority criteria |
Bottom line —Don't qualify for ECO4 itself? LA Flex, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, the Great British Insulation Scheme and Warm Homes: Local Grant between them cover most households ECO4 doesn't.
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to the questions we're asked most about the free boiler grant scheme.
Is the free boiler grant really free, or are there hidden costs?
For households who meet the ECO4 eligibility criteria, the boiler, installation, and Gas Safe certificate are funded by your energy supplier under the scheme — there's no bill to you. You should never be asked for an upfront fee to check eligibility or apply.
Who is eligible for a free boiler grant in 2026?
You're likely eligible if you or your household receives a qualifying benefit (such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit) or meet your local council's LA Flex income criteria, and your home has an EPC rating of D, E, F or G with an inefficient boiler.
Can private tenants apply for a free boiler grant?
Yes. Private tenants can apply, but you'll need written permission from your landlord before any survey or installation work takes place.
What types of boiler are covered by ECO4?
Combi, system and regular (conventional) A-rated condensing boilers are all covered, depending on which suits your property. In some cases, air source heat pumps are offered instead through a related scheme.
How long does the process take from application to installation?
Typically 4–6 weeks from your initial eligibility check to a completed installation, though this can vary by area, especially as ECO4 approaches its 31 December 2026 close.
What happens if I don't qualify for ECO4?
You may still qualify for LA Flex through your council, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (for a heat pump), or the Great British Insulation Scheme. We'll let you know which, if any, fits your circumstances.
Is freeboilerupgrade.uk part of the government?
No. We're an independent, Companies House registered eligibility-check and application-assistance service. We check your eligibility, handle the paperwork, and connect you with Gas Safe registered installers — the funding itself comes from your energy supplier under its Ofgem-regulated ECO4 obligation.
Does checking my eligibility affect my credit score?
No. Our eligibility checker asks about benefits, income and your property — it isn't a credit check and won't appear on your credit file.
My boiler still works but is old — can I still apply?
Yes, as long as it's inefficient (typically older, non-condensing models). It doesn't need to have broken down to qualify — inefficiency, not breakdown, is what the scheme targets.
When does the ECO4 scheme end?
ECO4 is scheduled to run until 31 December 2026. Funding is allocated to suppliers on an ongoing basis, so applying earlier rather than later reduces the risk of missing out as the deadline approaches.
Key Terms Explained
- ECO4
- The Energy Company Obligation, phase 4 — the UK government scheme, regulated by Ofgem, that requires large energy suppliers to fund energy-efficiency measures (including free boiler replacements) for low-income and fuel-poor households. Runs July 2022 to 31 December 2026.
- EPC
- Energy Performance Certificate — a government-issued rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) for a property, valid for 10 years. ECO4 boiler grants require a rating of D, E, F or G.
- LA Flex
- Local Authority Flexible Eligibility — the ECO4 route that lets a council set its own criteria, commonly an income threshold, for households who don't receive a qualifying benefit but are still low-income or vulnerable.
- Gas Safe Register
- The UK's official, legally required register of engineers qualified to work on gas appliances. Always check an installer's registration before any gas work starts.
- TrustMark
- A government-endorsed quality scheme for tradespeople carrying out retrofit and energy-efficiency work, including ECO4 installations.
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
- A separate, non-benefits-tested government grant of up to £7,500 toward an air source heat pump, open to any homeowner regardless of income.
- Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
- A government scheme funding insulation-only measures — loft, cavity wall or floor insulation — for a wider range of income bands than ECO4.
- Warm Homes: Local Grant (WHLG)
- A local-authority-delivered grant, part of the wider Warm Homes Plan, for households not covered by ECO4 or LA Flex.
Sources & References
gov.uk — Energy Company Obligation (ECO4)
Scheme overview, closing 31 December 2026
Ofgem — ECO4 Delivery Guidance v4.0
Final-phase delivery rules
Ofgem — ECO4 FAQs for consumers and landlords
LA Flex / Statement of Intent guidance
gov.uk — Boiler Upgrade Scheme: what you can get
£7,500 heat pump grant
gov.uk — Apply for the Great British Insulation Scheme
Insulation-only route, wider income bands
gov.uk — Warm Homes: Local Grant
Council-delivered strand of the Warm Homes Plan
gov.uk — Find an energy certificate
Official EPC register
TrustMark — government-endorsed quality scheme
Installer accreditation standard
Gas Safe Register
Statutory register for gas engineers
Free Boiler Grant: Summary
Free Boiler Upgrade UK is an independent, Companies House registered ECO4 eligibility-check and application-assistance service, connecting eligible UK households nationwide with Gas Safe registered installers for a fully funded boiler replacement — at no cost to the household where approved.
You're likely to qualify through one of two routes: receiving a qualifying benefit such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit, or meeting your council's LA Flex income criteria (commonly around £31,000) if you're not on benefits. Either route also needs a home EPC rating of D, E, F or G and an inefficient existing boiler. ECO4 closes 31 December 2026, so it's worth checking now rather than later.
Where approved, ECO4 covers the full swap: removal of the old boiler, a new A-rated condensing boiler, pipework, a smart control and a Gas Safe safety certificate. If you don't qualify for ECO4 itself, LA Flex, the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme, the Great British Insulation Scheme and Warm Homes: Local Grant between them cover most households ECO4 doesn't.
A new A-rated condensing boiler typically runs at around 90–94% efficiency, compared with 60–70% for an old back boiler, which is where most of the ongoing bill saving comes from — most households go from initial check to completed installation in around 4–6 weeks. Eligibility is always confirmed by survey, never assumed, and you should never be asked to pay an upfront fee to check or apply.
Related Guides
ECO4 Qualifying Benefits 2026
Full list of benefits that qualify you for a free boiler
Read guideECO4 Grant Deadline 2026
Why you need to apply before the scheme closes
Read guideWhat to Expect During Your Home Survey
Complete guide to the ECO4 assessment process
Read guideWhat's Included in a Free Boiler Upgrade?
Everything covered by the grant and what's not
Read guideCheck Your Free Boiler Grant Eligibility
See if you qualify for a free ECO4 boiler replacement. It takes about a minute, there's no obligation to proceed, and it won't affect your credit score.
Don't Miss Out on Your Free Boiler Grant
The ECO4 scheme runs until 31 December 2026. Check your eligibility today — it's free, independent, and takes about a minute.
✓ No Upfront Cost ✓ No Obligation ✓ Gas Safe Registered Installers ✓ Independent Eligibility Service