How to get a free boiler or boiler grant

A new or replacement boiler typically costs between £600 and £2,500 depending on the model and system type. 

However, you might be able to save money by claiming a grant towards the cost of installation. In some cases you may even be entitled to a free boiler.

Boiler grants, the Energy Companies Obligations scheme (ECO) and rental schemes can all help you to avoid the initial expensive outlay. 

But not everyone is eligible for these schemes and sometimes choosing an option that takes care of the upfront cost can leave you out of pocket in the long run.

We've looked at the various options to help you decide which is best for you and your budget. 

See our guide to the best boilers for 2024.

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme

The government’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme was set up to ensure that big energy suppliers do their bit to help households to reduce domestic carbon emissions while also tackling fuel poverty. 

It's available in England, Scotland and Wales. Energy companies are obliged to pay to install energy-saving measures in homes where it's needed the most.

There is a big list of improvements that energy companies can supply. Often companies focus on installing cavity wall insulation and loft insulation to make homes more energy efficient, but you can also get support replacing an old, inefficient boiler or heating system. Your replacement boiler could potentially be subsidised or even free. 

Am I eligible for ECO funding?

Funding is limited for this scheme, and the criteria are quite stringent. Your energy supplier should be able to tell you what you're eligible for. You’ll need to own your home or have permission from your landlord. 

You could be eligible if you receive one of the following:

• Child Benefit
• Pension Guarantee Credit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support
• Tax Credits (Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credits)
• Universal Credit
• Housing benefit
• Pension credit saving credit. 

But this is just a guideline. Your energy supplier will have its own criteria which you'll need to meet. 

For further information on the scheme, contact the scheme operator in your part of the UK:

• Find ways to save energy in your home (England & Wales) 0800 098 7950 (Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 12pm)
• Home Energy Scotland (Scotland) 0808 808 2282

For more information on the scheme as a whole, visit our in-depth guide to the Energy Company Obligation Scheme.

The Great British Insulation Scheme (ECO+)

The Great British Insulation Scheme (also called ECO+) is designed to help more people than the current ECO scheme. It runs until March 2026.

ECO+ expands the scheme to include homes in council tax bands A-D in England, or A-E in Scotland and Wales, with EPC ratings of D and below even if you're not a benefits recipient.

If you're in this position, you'll be able to claim for one form of insulation. Find out what you can have installed, and whether you're eligible, by reading our ECO guide.

If you're in the low-income group, you'll be able to claim for heating controls as well as insulation. Heating controls can make your boiler cheaper to run – our guide to boiler heating controls explains how.

Check you're eligible and start your application using the government's online tool.

Affordable Warmth Obligation

The Affordable Warmth Obligation is part of the ECO scheme. It gives help with the cost of replacing or repairing your boiler, as well as other energy-saving improvements. 

In Wales the scheme is called Nest and is managed by British Gas.

Again, it can be difficult to know whether you're eligible, and you will need your landlord's permission if you're renting. Eligibility can depend on whether:

• You own your home or rent (from a private landlord)
• Your home costs too much to heat and is energy inefficient
• You or someone in the home is on a means tested benefit, has a chronic health condition, and is on a low income

The full list of eligibility criteria can be found on the UK government's Affordable Warmth Obligation page. 

For further information on the scheme, contact the scheme operator in your part of the UK:

• Government Energy Advice (England) 0800 098 7950
• Home Energy Scotland (Scotland) 0808 808 2282
• Nest Scheme (Wales) 0808 808 2244
• NI Energy Advice (Northern Ireland) 0800 111 4455

Boiler Upgrade Scheme

Households can currently get up to £7,500 towards replacing a boiler with an air source heat pump or ground source heat pump (including water source heat pumps and those on shared ground loops) or £5,000 towards a biomass boiler.

You access this grant through an MCS-accredited installer who makes the application on your behalf. In order to obtain it, you have to have a valid EPC certificate from the last 10 years that has no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation.  

In March 2023, the government extended the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) through to 2028. 

The BUS doesn't cover the installation of hybrid systems. For example, if you install a heat pump with a backup gas boiler then you aren't eligible for the grant.

Read our introduction to ground and air source heat pumps to see whether these options are right for you.

Find out more about the Boiler Upgrade Scheme in our dedicated guide.

Boiler Scrappage Scheme

This government scheme was introduced in 2009 to encourage households to upgrade to more efficient boilers, but it has now been discontinued.

Some suppliers may still offer discounts on new boiler installations for scrapping an older efficient boiler but, as these are not a government schemes, we'd recommend getting a few quotes. This is because, in some cases, a new boiler might be more expensive than it should be, even with discounts. 

Take a look at our guide to the cost of installing a new boiler.

Renting a boiler or getting a pay-monthly boiler

If you’re not eligible for any boiler grants or a free replacement, you could rent a boiler (aka getting a pay-monthly boilers). There are several companies that offer this service and is a way to spread out the cost of a new boiler installation. 

There is no obligation to pay an upfront cost. Instead you make monthly payment, which pays off the cost of the boiler, the installation and – depending on your contract – any repair, maintenance and servicing costs for the duration of your contract. When you've finished paying, the boiler is yours. 

Renting a boiler is a long-term commitment. Contracts can last as long as 12 years. However, most boiler-rental companies offer different contract lengths. The shorter your contract the higher your monthly payments, but the sooner you will own your boiler. Most companies also give you an option to pay a deposit upfront, which will further reduce your monthly payments.

It's also worth checking the small print to see if your monthly payments are set to increase each year or if they are fixed. Also check what you're charged for missed payments. Sometimes penalties can accrue on a daily basis, so falling behind on payments could suddenly become very costly. 

Finally, if you're planning to move house before your contract would be finished, renting might not be the best option. If you move house you often have to pay off any remaining balance in one go.

If you can't afford the upfront cost of a new boiler, or want an all-in-one payment to cover everything to do with your boiler for some peace of mind, renting could be a good option.

Just be aware that you'll be in a long contract, and you're unlikely to save any money in the long term compared with paying up front for a new boiler.

Read our expert guide on home and energy grants to see if there is money you could save on heating your home.

Do you need to pay for boiler cover? 

Our research shows that if you get a reliable boiler, paying for boiler cover tends to be a false economy. 

Below we've compared the costs over a five year period, so that you can see how it starts to rack up. 

Your boiler would need a repair every year for boiler cover to be the better financial option over a five year period. And if your boiler is breaking down every year it is probably best to look at replacing it with a more reliable model/brand. 

In 2023, we surveyed 10,018 people who bought a boiler in the past six years and asked what year their boiler first developed a fault (if at all). From this we calculate how many boilers remain fault-free over the first six years. 

• By the end of the first year after installation, 9% of gas boilers (looking across all brands) have developed a fault. 6% from the most reliable brand have developed a fault, vs 9% from the least reliable brand. 9% is the average (mean)
• After 2 years of ownership, 15% have developed a fault. 10% from the most reliable brand have developed a fault vs 47% from the least reliable brand. 15% is the average. 
• After 3 years of ownership, 17% have developed a fault. 12% from the most reliable brand have developed a fault vs 50% from the least reliable brand. 17% is the average. 
• After 4 years of ownership, 19% have developed a fault. 14% from the most reliable brand have developed a fault vs 50% from the least reliable brand. 19% is the average. 
• After 5 years of ownership, as many as 20% have developed a fault. 15% from the most reliable brand have developed a fault vs 50% from the least reliable brand. 20% is the average. 
• After 6 years of ownership, 20% have developed a fault. 15% from the most reliable brand have developed a fault vs 50% from the least reliable brand (unchanged from the data above). 20% is the average. 

Read our boiler servicing guide to find out more about getting the best service for your boiler

Which? Trusted Trader boiler installers

When you've decided on the best and most reliable boiler for your home, check out Which? Trusted Traders for a stress-free and reliable boiler installation. 

All Which? Trusted Trader heating engineers are vetted and on the Gas Safe register, so you know you'll get an expert installation. 

You can use our free search tool below to find an accredited local trader.