Over 6 million households in the UK have fallen victim to fuel poverty, depriving them of keeping their homes warm during the winter. Many of these homes are heated with Oil boilers, a method that is becoming increasingly expensive.
To combat this growing issue, the UK government has released Oil boiler replacement grants under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO Scheme) to provide low-income households with funding to replace their oil boilers with energy efficient alternatives including air-source heat pumps.
In addition to heat pumps, the oil boiler replacement grants also bring qualifying households additional upgrades such as solar panels, loft and wall insulation, storage heaters and heating controls, all for free or at a massively discounted price.
If you are among the victims of fuel poverty and want to upgrade your home heating system, you can apply for this exclusive grant at Energy Saving Grants.
What Are Oil-Fired Boiler Replacement Grants?
Oil boiler replacement grants are government-backed grants that provide free funding to low-income families in England, Wales, and Scotland whose homes are heated using an oil boiler. The grants aim to combat fuel poverty, which affects over 6 million households in the UK.
These grants allow qualifying households to replace their existing oil heating systems with innovative and energy-efficient alternatives such as air source heat pumps.
This grant is available to low-income households and may also be available to homeowners or private tenants who have a long term health condition such as arthritis, diabetes, limited mobility, a respiratory disease or cardiovascular problems (this funding is dependent on the council area that you live in). The funding scheme offers free online application, property survey, installation of energy saving measures and any associated works that are required such as extraction fans for ventilation.
What is the Energy Company Obligation Scheme?
The Energy Company Obligation Scheme, also known as the ECO Scheme, is a government initiative to combat key problems such as fuel poverty and rising energy bills, by placing an obligation on energy companies in England, Wales, and Scotland to provide energy saving solutions to qualifying low income households.
The Scheme provides funding for families who are in receipt of certain benefits, or households with a total income of <£31,000, or households who suffer from certain long term health conditions.
Who is Eligible for Oil Fired Boiler Replacement Grants?
Find out if you are eligible for claiming this ECO backed grant by checking its eligibility criteria and requirements.
Household Location
Because the Oil boiler replacement grants are part of the ECO Scheme, they are only available for qualifying households in England, Scotland, and Wales.
Household Ownership
The grants are only available for homeowners and private tenants. If you are renting a property and you qualify for this grant, we recommend you communicate this to your landlord to ensure that they are in agreement for you to claim the free funding and upgrade the property.
Household Income
The current phase of the ECO Scheme has placed a greater focus on helping low-income households, and therefore only families with a total household income lower than £31,000 can claim oil boiler replacement grants.
However, there are exceptions to this rule such as households who receive at least one qualifying benefit or who suffer from a health condition. You can find more details about this in the next two sections.
Household Benefits
If someone in your property receives an income benefit from the following list, you might qualify for a grant to replace your boiler:
- Universal Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- Pension Credit Savings Credit
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)
Child Benefit also serves as a route to qualify. However, eligibility for the scheme depends on the number of children in the household and the gross household income received.
Household Health Conditions
If someone in your property suffers from a qualifying health condition from the following list, you might qualify for an ECO4 grant:
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Limited mobility
- Immunosuppression
- Cardiovascular conditions
However, it’s important to know that the health condition or long-term illness must be verified by one of the following entities:
- General medical practitioner (GP)
- Health Board
- NHS Trust
- Local Health Board
- NHS Foundation Trust
Even if the household income is over £31,000 per year, this exception will make your property eligible for claiming an ECO4 grant to replace your boiler and install additional upgrades such as insulation and solar panels.
Household EPC Rating
A deficient EPC rating is an important eligibility factor because it measures the energy efficiency of your property. Therefore, an EPC of D, E, F, or G is necessary to qualify for the oil boiler replacement grants from the ECO4 Scheme.
Household Existing Boiler
As it’s evident, this grant is only available for properties whose existing boiler utilises LPG, Oil or Solid fuel such as wood or coal.
Having a boiler like this at home puts households at a higher risk of fuel poverty, and hence the ECO Scheme is only available for families who need help to replace their boiler with a more efficient and eco-friendly option.
What Does an Oil Boiler Grant Include?
Explore all the solutions that oil-fired boiler replacement grants offer you thanks to the free funding from the ECO Scheme.
Air Source Heat Pump: It is a heating and cooling system that transfers heat between indoor and outdoor air. It efficiently extracts heat from the outside air during winter to warm indoor spaces and can also reverse the process in summer for cooling – it works without combustion and hence it’s a very good alternative to oil boilers.
The Advantages of Oil-Fired Boiler Replacement Grants
Applying for a government grant to replace your oil boiler offers a series of benefits from saving money on utility bills to improving your home comfort. Here you have the full list of advantages on why it’s an excellent idea to claim this grant today.
Save Money on Utility Bills
Oil-fired boiler replacement grants will bring you the opportunity to replace your old heating system with an innovative and energy-efficient option such as an air source heat pump. When compared to traditional boilers, they can help you save up to 70% on energy bills every year.
Improve Your Home Comfort
Over 6 million households in the UK struggle to keep their homes warm during the winter because they cannot afford it. Fortunately, thanks to the ECO Scheme you can combat fuel poverty and keep your home warm and comfortable throughout the winter with new heating solutions such as an air source heat pump.
Bring Relief to Health Conditions
Cold air can trigger asthma symptoms and low temperatures can also thicken the synovial fluid, worsening arthritis symptoms. Hence, not having a properly heated home during the winter puts people who suffer from these health conditions at serious risk.
This is why it’s an excellent idea to apply for the oil boiler replacement grant today, because if someone at home suffers from these or other health conditions, you’ll be able to bring them the relief they crave by keeping your home at a comfortable temperature throughout the day.
Apply For an Oil Boiler Grant Before These Boilers Are Banned
Did you know the UK government has outlined plans to ban oil and gas boilers by 2035? This is one of the measures they are going to take to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and hence, it’s a good idea to take action as soon as possible to replace your existing home heating system.
Waiting until several years later to take action may prove to be a bad decision because now you can claim grants to get free funding to replace your oil boiler, and there is no guarantee the government will keep offering these incentives in the future.
Apply for an oil boiler grant today and join hundreds of thousands of UK homeowners, landlords, and tenants who have upgraded their home to be more energy efficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are oil boiler replacement grants?
Oil boiler replacement grants are financial aid programs designed to help homeowners and landlords replace old, inefficient oil boilers with newer, more energy-efficient alternatives. These grants aim to reduce energy consumption, lower heating costs and combat fuel poverty.
Who is eligible for oil boiler replacement grants?
Eligibility for oil boiler replacement grants typically depends on factors such as income level, property type, and the age of the existing boiler. Generally, low-income households, households where somebody has a long term health condition that is made worse by the cold; and properties with outdated heating systems are prioritised.
How can I apply for an oil boiler replacement grant?
You can use our easy grant checker form right now to see if you qualify.
What documents are needed for the application?
The application process usually requires proof of income (e.g., tax returns, pay slips), proof of property ownership (e.g., deeds or mortgage statement), and details about your current boiler (e.g., age, type). Additional documents may be requested depending on the specific grant program.
How much funding is available through these grants?
The amount of funding available through oil boiler replacement grants varies by program and applicant eligibility. Some grants cover the 100% cost of a new boiler, while others may cover a percentage of the cost or provide a fixed amount.
Do I need to repay the grant?
No. Any Oil boiler replacement grant that you receive does not have to be repaid.
