What Are Boiler Grants & How Do I Qualify for One?

Thanks to the Energy Companies Obligation (ECO) scheme provided by the government, private tenants and homeowners alike can replace their old, clunky and inefficient boiler with a brand new model for free, if you’re eligible. Not everyone qualifies for a boiler grant, but it’s worth checking if you need a new boiler and are struggling to afford the cost of a new one.

What is a boiler grant?

A boiler grant enables homeowners who have low incomes to have their old boiler replaced with a brand new system either for free or at a significantly reduced rate. The boiler grant was designed to help underprivileged homeowners and families replace their inefficient heating systems in a bid to keep them warm and help them save money.

But at the same time, it also helps to boost the government’s energy-efficiency initiative – something they’ve been promoting for several years. By replacing an old boiler for a new one, a household’s carbon footprint will be dramatically reduced, especially as modern boilers come with an A rating for energy efficiency.

As well as reducing carbon footprints, it will also help to lower the amount families are paying for their energy. According to the Energy Savings Trust, a new boiler could save households up to £200 a year which is an impressive saving, especially with the new energy price cap coming into effect next month.

Boiler grants are subsidised by the ‘Big Six’ energy companies: British Gas, Npower, EDF Energy, SSE and Scottish Power. Boiler grants are non-repayable, meaning that, in the future, you shouldn’t have to make any repayments for a new boiler.

0800 Repair is also proud to subsidise the boiler grant scheme. We have a team of highly-qualified, dedicated gas engineers who are fully-trained to safely install a brand new boiler and take care of your old one at no extra cost.

Who is eligible for a new boiler

Only the homeowners who suit the criteria for the government’s boiler grant scheme will qualify. The requirements include:

• You must be the property owner
• The property must be connected to a mains gas supply
• The boiler must be over five years old
• You’re receiving Pension Credit or Child Tax Credits
• Your household income has to come in below £16,010 a year

Council-owned properties or those that are privately rented cannot benefit from the boiler grant, unfortunately. However, there are a number of ways in which a boiler can be paid for if you do not qualify for the boiler grant scheme. Some energy suppliers and gas engineering firms offer flexible payment options to help you manage the cost of a new boiler in a bid to meet your budget.

Each company will be different, however, so make the relevant enquiries and get a few quotes. 0800 Repair is able to install a new boiler for you at a reasonable price. Simply discuss your options over the phone by calling or get a quote from us today.

How do I apply for a boiler grant?

To apply for the boiler grant scheme, you’ll need to contact the Energy Saving Advice Service on 0300 123 1234. Alternatively, you could contact 0800 Repair to see whether or not we would be able to honour the boiler grant scheme using the information you give.

How long does it take to install a new boiler?

It can take several days from applying for the boiler grant scheme and actually having your boiler fitted and working. There’s no usual set time as each property and boiler will be different, as will your requirements. Some boiler installations can be extremely complex and so it will take far longer to install compared to a more simple operation.

Straight swaps are fairly quick and simple:

• They’re also known as like-for-like swaps
• This replaces your current system with a boiler of the same type and, roughly, size
• The fastest type of installation as minimal change is required
• It could take anywhere between one and two days to complete

Boiler relocations are slightly more complex:

• This will prolong the installation process slightly
• The engineer might have to relocate pipework or cap current pipework in order to install new elements at a different location
• This adjustment could add an extra day to the process
• The further away you have your new boiler installed, the longer it’s likely to take
• Relocation is also likely to carry an extra cost

System upgrades can take longer to complete but they’re easy to perform:

• Switching from system boilers to combination boilers is a popular swap that many people make when they replace their old boiler for a new one
• This installation could last up to three days, but that’s dependent upon the complexity of the boiler replacement
• It might seem like a long process, but the benefits of upgrading to a more efficient system, including saving money on your energy bills