The short answer
The two main UK government schemes are ECO4, which can fund a free or subsidised boiler for low-income households on qualifying benefits, and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), which offers grants toward heat pumps rather than replacement gas boilers. Eligibility rules differ significantly. For the full cost picture without a grant, see new boiler costs.
Government help with the cost of a new boiler exists in the UK but is more restricted than many homeowners assume. The largest scheme — the Boiler Upgrade Scheme — is specifically for heat pumps, not gas boiler replacements. The scheme that can fund a gas boiler (ECO4) is means-tested and targeted at low-income and vulnerable households. This guide explains what each scheme actually offers, who qualifies, and where to apply.
Boiler grants at a glance
- ECO4 Free boiler for eligible low-income households
- ECO4 qualifying benefits Universal Credit, Pension Credit, others
- BUS grant £7,500 for air- or ground-source heat pump (not gas)
- Great British Insulation Scheme Insulation measures; linked to ECO4
- Apply for ECO4 Via your energy supplier or approved installer
- Apply for BUS Via an MCS-certified heat pump installer
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4)
ECO4 is the scheme most likely to help homeowners who need a gas boiler replaced and cannot afford the full cost. Under ECO4, large energy suppliers are required to fund energy efficiency improvements for qualifying households. A gas boiler replacement — where the existing boiler is broken, inefficient (below Band D) and the household meets the income or vulnerability criteria — can qualify for a fully funded replacement. The scheme is administered through energy suppliers and approved third-party installers; you do not apply to the government directly.
To be eligible for ECO4, your household typically needs to be receiving one of the qualifying benefits: Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Pension Credit, or Child Benefit (subject to income cap). Homeowners and tenants in private rented properties can apply, though for rented properties landlord agreement is usually needed. The property must also meet an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating threshold.
| Scheme | What it funds | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| ECO4 | Gas boiler replacement (and insulation) | Low income / qualifying benefits |
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) | £7,500 toward an air- or ground-source heat pump | Homeowners replacing gas/oil heating |
| Great British Insulation Scheme | Insulation measures | Low EPC band properties; some income-qualifying |
| Winter Fuel Payment | Annual payment toward fuel bills (pensioners) | Eligible pensioners |
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme, administered by Ofgem, provides a grant of £7,500 for an air-source heat pump or a ground-source heat pump to replace a gas or oil boiler in a domestic property in England and Wales. This is a significant contribution toward the cost of a heat pump system, but it is important to understand it is not a gas boiler grant: you cannot use BUS to fund a gas-to-gas replacement. The scheme is designed to encourage the switch to low-carbon heating. To access the BUS grant, the work must be carried out by an MCS-certified installer, and the property must have a valid EPC with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation (or have a wall-type that makes such insulation impractical). Scotland has its own Heat Pump Support Scheme with different terms.
Other local and devolved schemes
Scotland’s Warmer Homes Scotland programme offers free heating and insulation improvements to low-income homeowners and private tenants. Wales has the Nest scheme, which funds energy efficiency measures for low-income households. Northern Ireland has the Affordable Warmth Scheme. These schemes are separate from ECO4 and have their own eligibility criteria; contact your local council or energy advice service for the most current terms. Some local authorities also run supplementary schemes funded by their own budgets, so it is worth checking with your council directly. This page is general information based on schemes as published at the time of writing; grant terms change and eligibility rules should always be confirmed directly with the administering body before acting.
Find out what help is available for your home
A Gas Safe registered engineer or approved installer can confirm whether your household qualifies for ECO4 or other schemes, and help you make an application.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a free boiler from the government in 2026?
A free gas boiler may be available through the ECO4 scheme if your household receives a qualifying benefit (such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit) and your existing boiler is broken or very inefficient. Contact your energy supplier or an ECO4-approved installer to check your eligibility.
What is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), run by Ofgem, offers £7,500 toward an air-source or ground-source heat pump to replace a gas or oil boiler. It is a heat pump grant, not a gas boiler grant. The work must be done by an MCS-certified installer.
Who qualifies for ECO4?
ECO4 is aimed at low-income households receiving qualifying benefits including Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support and others. The property must also meet an EPC band threshold. Contact your energy supplier or check the Energy Saving Trust’s eligibility tool for the current criteria.
Are there boiler grants in Scotland and Wales?
Yes. Scotland has the Warmer Homes Scotland programme and Wales has the Nest scheme, both targeting low-income households for heating and insulation improvements. Contact the scheme administrators or your local council for current terms.
Sources & further reading
- GOV.UK — Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) administered by Ofgem, eligibility and grant amounts
- GOV.UK — Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme, qualifying benefits and property criteria
- Energy Saving Trust — eligibility checker for UK energy efficiency grants and schemes
- Ofgem — BUS grant payment process, MCS installer requirements
This is general information, not advice for your specific property or installation. Costs, timescales and outcomes vary with your home, system condition and chosen engineer. All gas boiler work must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.