Who can have access to a free boiler in the UK?

Getting a new boiler installed or replaced is not a cheap deal. Boiler replacements can be very expensive, it can cost you around £2,000 on an average. As the UK weather is one of the coldest and snowiest in the world it is necessary for the UK residents to keep their house warm and have access to hot water. Nevertheless, not everyone can afford a new boiler or replacement. So what should you do if that is the case?

Nowadays, The UK Government is most focused on environmental problems, Carbon footprint, ozone layer and Carbon emissions is what matters the most to them. For that reason the Government of UK provides energy grants to people residing in UK worth millions of pounds for better energy efficiency and to lessen the environmental impact. Most of these grants go unclaimed each year.

Free boiler scheme

ECO is an initiative launched by the Government of UK to help people keep their homes warm especially during the winter season as UK experiences the coldest of temperatures throughout the winters. This government initiative helps in the installation of Energy efficient heating systems. This energy saving initiative is so important that the Government decided to subsidize this program of theirs to provide improvements to certain groups of people in the UK.

ECO is the abbreviation for Energy Companies Obligation, it was introduced as an initiative to reduce UK's energy consumption and to support people of UK who are living in fuel poverty. Energy Companies Obligation was introduced in January 2013 and has improved the energy efficiency around 1.3 billion every year.

The Government Scrappage Scheme is a new initiative taken by the UK Government which offers 100% free boiler grants as well as insulation facilities. This scheme is specifically for low income households with an aim to provide energy efficient heating solutions and to keep your house warm in winters.

ECO Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible for the Energy Companies Obligation someone from your household must meet the following criteria OR should stand in the following benefits and criteria’s

1. State Pension Credit?

2. Child Tax Credits and have a household income of less than £15,860?

3. Income - related employment and support allowance

4. Working Tax Credit and has a relevant income of £15,860 or less

5. Income Support OR income-based job seeker's allowance

6. Live in a government chosen postcode

If you don't meet any of the above, you could still qualify for free insulation, if you live in a government chosen postcode, you won’t be eligible if you are residing in a housing society or if you are a council tenant.

If you have a boiler that is 10 years old you will most likely qualify for a replacement, however, if you own a boiler that is not efficient enough regardless of the time it is with you, you will qualify for a replacement as well

Well if you are thinking that it will cost you something? NO it will not, Affordable Warmth is a government initiative in collaboration with the “Big Six” companies which place an obligation to help those in need.

The Energy company obligation funds work in such a manner that it is MUST for them to spend for the replacement of inefficient boilers and insulation upgrades in your homes. If these companies fail to do so they then face large penalties.

If you are eligible the process is hassle free, it simply starts with a phone call to check your details which will lead to a home assessment and then installation of your new boiler and insulation upgrades.