If you constantly have high energy bills and your home runs on an old and inefficient boiler, you may qualify for a grant to get your boiler replaced for free under the UK government’s ECO4 scheme. This blog takes you through the process of claiming your boiler grant, including the adaptive LA Flex scheme that provides assistance to homeowners who are not in receipt of benefits.
What is the ECO4 Boiler Grant Scheme?
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme is a government-funded program running from April 2022 to March 2026, with £4 billion to spend on getting UK homes warmer and more efficient. It’s not just boilers but a scheme with a whole house approach to getting houses warmer, more efficient, and less expensive to heat. This means free upgrades to your insulation, radiators and other heating system upgrades needed to make your home more energy efficient.
Since its release, the ECO4 scheme has already achieved a lot, fitting 810,700 measures into 243,900 homes, saving £138.5 million annually in bills. On average, a home gets a little over 3 energy-efficient measures installed, ranging from a new boiler, to insulation, to smart heating controls.
What Does ECO4 Eligibility Mean?: The Standard Path
To be eligible for a free boiler through the standard ECO4 scheme, you’ll need to meet criteria designed to help low-income and vulnerable households.
Property Criteria
Your property should:
- Have an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G
- A working boiler at least 20 years old
- Mains gas supply connection
You must be:
- A homeowner or private tenant (with landlord approval)
- Living in England, Scotland, or Wales
- A household member has to be on qualifying benefits.
Fill in our simple 1-minute eligibility check and find out if you qualify for free boiler replacements as well as other heating system upgrades!
Do You Need Benefits to Qualify for a Boiler Grant? LA Flex Explained
The short answer is no! You do not have to be on benefits in order to receive a free boiler. The Local Authority Flexibility (LA Flex) scheme is a lifeline for the houses that do not qualify for government benefits yet struggle to pay their energy bills and need financial assistance to upgrade their heating systems.
LA Flex is an extension of the ECO4 scheme which enables local councils to target households who are fuel poor or at risk of cold homes. This is an inclusive scheme that accepts that energy bills are a problem for many families even if they don’t meet the benefit criteria.
You could be eligible for LA Flex if you fall within any of these categories:
- Annual household income below £31,000
- If there is a serious health issue related to cold homes in your household:
- Cardiovascular illnesses
- Respiratory illnesses
- Limited mobility
- Immunosuppression
- Vulnerable Household Criteria
- Above 65 years of age
- Pregnant women
- Children of school age or below
- Mental illness
- Disabilities
Unlike the typical ECO4 scheme, LA Flex eligibility is decided by your local council on their own Statement of Intent. They each operate their own standards for deciding who is a vulnerable household in their local area, so eligibility can differ depending on where you live.
Don’t know if you’re eligible for an LA Flex? Our experts can check through your local council’s criteria and assist with an application. Contact Now!
