What the free boiler scheme actually covers in 2026
In 2026, the average household saving from a fully funded boiler replacement under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme is approximately £2,800 compared to buying the same A-rated gas boiler on the open market. The scheme is funded by the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4), a government mandate on large energy suppliers, not a direct government grant (GOV.UK, 2026).
The free boiler scheme saves the average household £2,800 under ECO4 in 2026. It covers a new A-rated boiler and installation, but not radiators or pipework unless essential.
- ECO4 covers the full cost of a new A-rated gas or oil boiler and installation.
- Average household saving is £2,800 compared to buying without the grant.
- You must have a gross household income below £31,000 to qualify.
- Your home needs an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G to be eligible.
- Tenants can apply through their energy supplier with landlord permission.
- What the free boiler scheme actually covers in 2026
- Who qualifies for a free boiler in 2026, income and property rules
- Quick numbers, boiler grant amounts, savings, and installation figures
- The free boiler scheme vs the Great British Insulation Scheme, which fits your home
- How to apply for the free boiler scheme in 2026, step by step
- Verifying your installer, MCS certification and TrustMark registration
- The direct answer to "Can I get a free boiler in the UK in 2026?"
ECO4 covers the full cost of a new A-rated gas or oil boiler, including installation, removal of your old boiler, and system controls such as thermostats and programmers. The scheme does NOT cover radiators, pipework upgrades, or power flushing unless these are structurally necessary for the safe operation of the new boiler. That means if your existing pipework is sound but inefficient, you will not get new pipes funded. If your radiators are old but working, they stay.
Who qualifies for a free boiler in 2026, income and property rules
Eligibility is based on household income below £31,000 gross annually, or receipt of specific means-tested benefits including Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or Child Tax Credit with income below the threshold (DESNZ, 2026). Your property must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F, or G. The EPC rating measures how energy efficient your home is on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). The scheme prioritises homes with the lowest energy efficiency.
Owner-occupiers and private tenants are eligible. Landlords cannot apply directly, but tenants can trigger an application through their energy supplier. If you rent, you will need your landlord’s permission for the installation, but the application itself starts with you as the tenant.
Quick numbers, boiler grant amounts, savings, and installation figures
| Item | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average grant value (ECO4) | £2,800 | Energy Saving Trust, 2026 |
| Typical boiler cost without grant | £2,500 – £3,500 | Which?, 2026 |
| Annual fuel saving vs G-rated boiler | £300 – £500 | Energy Saving Trust, 2026 |
| Number of free boilers installed 2025–2026 | 47,000 | OFGEM, 2026 |
| Average installation time from application | 6–12 weeks | OFGEM, 2026 |
The free boiler scheme vs the Great British Insulation Scheme, which fits your home
The free boiler scheme (ECO4) replaces your entire heating system. The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) only covers insulation measures such as loft, cavity wall, and solid wall insulation (DESNZ, 2026). GBIS has a lower household income threshold of £21,000 or receipt of benefits, and it does not fund boiler replacements at all.
If your home needs both insulation and a new boiler, ECO4 can bundle both in a single application. GBIS cannot combine measures with a boiler replacement. If your property has an EPC rating of D or lower, you are better off applying through ECO4 because it covers the most expensive item (the boiler) and can include insulation as a secondary measure. What is an EPC rating and how to check yours
How to apply for the free boiler scheme in 2026, step by step
Step 1: Check eligibility via the government’s online eligibility checker at gov.uk/eco4. No personal data is required at this stage (GOV.UK, 2026).
Step 2: Contact your energy supplier or any supplier with ECO4 obligations. The full list of obligated suppliers is published on the OFGEM website. You do not have to be a customer of that supplier to apply.
Step 3: The supplier arranges a free in-home survey to assess property eligibility and boiler suitability. This survey checks your EPC rating, existing heating system, and whether the new boiler can be installed safely.
Step 4: If approved, installation is scheduled with an MCS-certified installer. You pay £0. The installer handles removal of the old boiler and fitting of the new one, including system controls.
Verifying your installer, MCS certification and TrustMark registration
All ECO4-funded boiler installations must be carried out by an MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) certified installer. Check the MCS register at mcs-certified.com (MCS, 2026). Installers must also hold TrustMark registration, the government-endorsed quality scheme, verifiable at trustmark.org.uk (TrustMark, 2026). Gas boiler installers must be Gas Safe registered, checkable at gassaferegister.co.uk (Gas Safe Register, 2026).
If the installer lacks any of these three certifications, the installation is not valid under ECO4 and the grant may be clawed back from the installer. You will not be asked to repay the money, but you may be left with an incomplete or non-compliant installation. Always confirm all three registrations before work begins.
The direct answer to “Can I get a free boiler in the UK in 2026?”
Yes, if your household income is below £31,000 and your home has an EPC rating of D or lower, you can receive a fully funded A-rated boiler replacement through the ECO4 scheme, with no repayment required, provided you use an MCS-certified installer and the installation is approved by your energy supplier. The scheme covers gas and oil boilers but not electric heating systems. If you use oil heating, check that your supplier offers ECO4 for oil boilers, as not all obligated suppliers cover oil systems. Oil boiler replacement grants UK 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact your energy supplier to start an application. You must meet income and EPC eligibility rules set by the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) under GOV.UK guidance.
ECO4 covers a new A-rated boiler, installation, removal of the old boiler, and system controls like thermostats. It does not cover radiators or pipework upgrades unless structurally necessary, per Energy Saving Trust.
You qualify if your gross household income is below £31,000 or you receive means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit. Your home must have an EPC rating of D to G, according to DESNZ.
No, landlords cannot apply directly. Tenants can start an application through their energy supplier but need landlord permission for installation, as per ECO4 rules.
No, the scheme is funded by the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4), a government mandate on large energy suppliers, not a direct government grant (GOV.UK, 2026).
