Boiler Grants for Homeowners UK: Eligibility, Funding & How to Apply in 2026
If you are a homeowner with an old, inefficient or broken heating system, you may be able to get help towards the cost of upgrading your home.
However, boiler grants for homeowners do not all work in the same way. Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for support through ECO4, while the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) can provide funding towards replacing fossil-fuel heating with a heat pump.
The important point is that there is no single government scheme that gives every homeowner a free replacement boiler. Eligibility depends on your household circumstances, property, existing heating system and the type of improvement being proposed.
This guide explains the main boiler grant options available to homeowners in 2026, who may qualify, what funding could be available and how to check your eligibility.
Check your ECO4 eligibility
Answer a few quick questions to see whether your household may qualify for ECO4 support.
Quick Answer: Can Homeowners Get a Boiler Grant?
Yes, some homeowners may qualify for government-backed support towards heating improvements, but a free boiler is not automatically available to every homeowner.
ECO4 can support eligible households with measures including certain boiler repairs, replacements and heating upgrades. Eligibility is based on factors such as household circumstances, property characteristics and the existing heating system. ECO4 is due to run until 31 December 2026.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is different. It is available in England and Wales and provides funding towards low-carbon heating rather than a standard gas boiler replacement. Current funding includes £7,500 towards an air-to-water or ground-source heat pump, with higher funding available for certain eligible off-gas-grid properties.
What Boiler Grants Are Available for Homeowners?
When homeowners search for boiler grants, they are usually looking for help paying for a new boiler because their existing system is old, inefficient or broken.
There are several different types of government support, but two schemes are particularly relevant when looking at heating upgrades in 2026:
ECO4
ECO4 is an energy-efficiency obligation placed on energy suppliers. It is designed to improve energy efficiency in less efficient homes and support households experiencing fuel poverty or on low incomes.
ECO4 is not simply a nationwide free-boiler scheme. Energy suppliers determine which projects they fund and the level of support available.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is designed to encourage homeowners to replace fossil-fuel heating with low-carbon alternatives.
It is available in England and Wales and is particularly relevant if you are considering an air source heat pump or another eligible low-carbon heating system.
ECO4 Boiler Grants for Homeowners
ECO4 can potentially help eligible homeowners with heating improvements.
Ofgem confirms that it is possible for a boiler to be repaired, replaced or upgraded under ECO4, although specific rules apply.
For example, a broken efficient boiler may be eligible for replacement where it has broken down and cannot be economically repaired. There are also provisions for upgrading inefficient heating systems.
This means homeowners should not assume that having an old boiler automatically qualifies them for funding.
Your existing boiler, EPC, household circumstances and proposed improvement can all affect the outcome.
What Can ECO4 Support?
Depending on eligibility and the project, ECO4 can include measures such as:
- Boiler upgrades
- Certain boiler replacements
- Boiler repairs
- First-time central heating
- Renewable heating
- Insulation
- Heating controls
- Other energy-efficiency improvements
ECO4 is designed around improving the energy efficiency of the property rather than simply replacing equipment like-for-like.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme for Homeowners
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is often confused with boiler replacement grants.
In reality, BUS is primarily a low-carbon heating grant.
The current scheme provides:
- £7,500 towards an air-to-water heat pump
- £7,500 towards a ground-source heat pump
- £2,500 towards an eligible residential air-to-air heat pump
- £5,000 towards an eligible biomass boiler
There is also an additional £1,500 uplift for eligible air-to-water and ground-source heat pump installations where the property is heated by oil or LPG and has no mains gas connection. This brings the potential grant to £9,000 for qualifying off-gas-grid properties.
The enhanced £9,000 support became available for eligible applications from 21 July 2026.
Who Can Apply for BUS?
You generally need to:
- Own the property
- Be replacing an eligible fossil-fuel or electric heating system
- Have an eligible property
- Use an MCS-certified installer
- Install an eligible system meeting the scheme’s technical requirements
BUS is available for residential properties in England and Wales.
Who Could Qualify for Boiler Grants?
There is no single checklist that guarantees funding.
For ECO4, eligibility can involve household circumstances and the property itself. Eligible routes include certain benefits and income-related criteria, while local authorities can also use ECO Flex to refer households that meet their local eligibility criteria.
Your property can also be important.
ECO4 focuses on less energy-efficient homes, with properties in EPC bands D to G within the scheme’s eligibility framework.
You may therefore have a stronger case if you have:
- An inefficient heating system
- A low EPC rating
- High heating costs
- A qualifying household circumstance
- A broken or uneconomical-to-repair heating system
- Poor energy efficiency elsewhere in the property
But meeting one criterion does not automatically mean funding will be approved.
Can Homeowners Get a Completely Free Boiler?
Sometimes support can cover a substantial proportion of eligible work, but you should be cautious of advertisements promising every homeowner a completely free boiler.
ECO4 funding is determined by suppliers and individual projects. Eligibility does not necessarily mean a supplier or installer will fund every measure you request.
The most sensible approach is to have your circumstances and property assessed before assuming what you can receive.
If you are offered a funded boiler, ask:
- Which scheme is providing the funding?
- What eligibility criteria have I met?
- Is the installation fully funded?
- Are there any customer contributions?
- What equipment is being installed?
- What warranty is provided?
- Who is responsible for the application?
A reputable installer should be able to explain the funding clearly.
What Information Will You Need?
A grant eligibility assessment may require information such as:
- Name and address
- Property ownership details
- EPC information
- Current heating system
- Household income information
- Benefit information, where relevant
- Boiler details
- Property type
- Existing insulation
- Identification and supporting documentation
The exact evidence depends on the funding route.
Boiler Grant Options Compared
| Funding route | Main purpose | Potential support | Where available |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECO4 | Whole-home energy efficiency and heating improvements | Depends on household and project | Great Britain |
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme | Low-carbon heating replacement | Up to £7,500, or £9,000 for eligible off-gas-grid heat pumps | England & Wales |
Funding and eligibility are subject to scheme rules, property requirements and availability.
Should You Replace Your Boiler With a Heat Pump?
If your boiler needs replacing, it can be worth considering whether a heat pump is a better long-term option.
An air source heat pump can provide heating and hot water while using electricity rather than burning gas or oil.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme can substantially reduce the upfront cost.
However, a heat pump is not automatically suitable for every property. Your home’s heat loss, insulation, radiators, hot-water requirements and available external space all need to be considered.
A professional survey should therefore come before making a decision.
Why the Installer Matters
Getting funding is only part of the process.
The quality of the installation can affect:
- System efficiency
- Reliability
- Comfort
- Running costs
- Warranty protection
- Long-term performance
For BUS, the installer must be MCS certified, and the installation must meet the scheme’s technical requirements.
For boiler work, you should also check that the relevant engineers and contractors have the appropriate qualifications and registrations for the work being carried out.
A cheap quotation is not necessarily the best quotation if it does not include proper design, commissioning and aftercare.
Are Boiler Grants Still Available in 2026?
Yes, but the answer depends on the scheme.
ECO4 is currently scheduled to run until 31 December 2026.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is continuing, with the government increasing its budget for 2026/27 and current grant support available for eligible low-carbon heating installations.
Because funding schemes can change, homeowners should check current eligibility rather than relying on old articles or social media posts.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Clear answers about boiler grants, ECO4 eligibility, broken boilers, EPC requirements, pensioners, homeowners and heat pump funding in 2026. Speak to Simple Green Energy .
Could you qualify for heating support?
Speak with Simple Green Energy about your property, EPC rating, household circumstances and whether you may qualify for boiler or heat pump funding.
Check my eligibilityFinal Thoughts: Check Before You Pay
If you are a homeowner considering a new boiler, do not assume you have to pay the full cost yourself.
ECO4 may provide support for eligible heating and energy-efficiency improvements, while the Boiler Upgrade Scheme can significantly reduce the cost of moving from fossil-fuel heating to an eligible heat pump.
The right solution depends on your home, existing heating system and circumstances.
The best first step is therefore a proper eligibility assessment rather than simply searching for the cheapest boiler quotation.
Think you could qualify for help? Speak to Simple Green Energy for a free eligibility check and find out what heating options may be available for your home.
Important links:
Solar panels: https://www.simplegreenenergy.org/solar-panels/
Air source heat pump: https://www.simplegreenenergy.org/air-source-heat-pump/
EV charger: https://www.simplegreenenergy.org/ev-charger/
Air conditioning: https://www.simplegreenenergy.org/air-conditioning/
