Are You Entitled To A Boiler Grant?

If your boiler is old or inefficient or struggles to heat your radiators and hot water, then it may be time to think about getting a new boiler. But if you’re on a low income, the thought of replacing a boiler can seem like a financial nightmare. Before you start panicking about the cost, have you explored whether or not you are eligible for a boiler grant?

What Is ECO?

ECO is the government’s new initiative to help low-income households reduce their heating costs and cut their carbon footprint. You may be eligible for heavily subsidised, or on occasion free, replacement boiler. The good news is that boiler grants are non-repayable and will cover most, or sometimes all, of the costs.

The amount of funding you receive will depend on the energy-efficiency of your home, so an assessment will be carried out on your property. You may also be eligible for cavity wall and loft insulation and other improvements to your heating as well as a replacement boiler.

Do I Qualify for a Grant?

If you own your own property, or rent privately and have the owner’s permission to carry out the necessary work, and your boiler is more than five years old, you may qualify for a grant to replace your old boiler.

You’ll need to be in receipt of certain benefits and to satisfy certain conditions:

For those claiming Working Tax Credit, you must be over 60. If you claim Pension Credit, then you will need to be in receipt of the Pensioner Premium.

If you’re claiming Child Tax Credit, your income must be under £16,010 and you will have a disabled child or be receiving Disabled Child Premium.

Should you be claiming income-related Employment and Support Allowance, and you also receive a work-related activity or support component.

If you’re claiming Universal Credit and you earned £1,250 or less after tax, and also receive a limited capability for work or work-related activity element or a Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment.

You’ll also be eligible if you receive Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or the Disability Premium.

What Are the Benefits of a Boiler Grant?

A new boiler can cost well over £2,000, so the ECO scheme represents a huge saving for your household. And with a range of boiler offers, you’ll be able to find a brand new energy-efficient boiler that will substantially reduce your heating bills. You could save anywhere from £95 to £350 a year on your energy costs. For many families on a tight budget, those savingd ould make a big difference.

If you also qualify for cavity wall and/or loft insulation, you’ll make even bigger savings on your bills. Instead of heat escaping through your walls and roof, you’ll be trapping as much as possible inside your home. This means you’ll stay snug and your heating bills will decrease. With estimated savings of up to £275 a year for cavity wall insulation and up to £240 a year for loft insulation, the ECO insulation and boiler grant can save you serious amounts of money.

So if you need to replace that boiler, there’s never been a better time to go ECO.