Free Boiler Replacement Grants For Pensioners In 2023 [Explained]

If you’re a pensioner, your boiler is on the blink, and you don’t have the cash upfront for a new one (who does?), there are ways to get help with the costs of a replacement boiler.

In our 5-minute guide to free boiler replacement grants for pensioners, we’ll walk you through boiler replacement schemes, egibility, application process, and what to do if you’re ineligible.

We’ve also included some quick references for further savings to take advantage of by applying for various Government schemes.

Update: The Government has tightened up on boiler grants and eligibility. Keep reading to find out if you’re eligible, but if you’re not, we’d suggest getting a fixed price on screen from Heatable. They offer attractive financing options, 10-year warranties, and they have some great deals on new boilers.

Free Boiler Replacement for Pensioners

Not all pensioners are eligible for a free boiler grant. 

However, below we’ll explain who is eligible and how you can apply.

Currently, there are two schemes that helps pensioners install new boilers:

• ECO Boiler Scheme – England, Scotland & Wales
• Boiler Replacement Scheme – Northern Ireland (Age Concern boiler grants are no longer available)

Free Boilers for Pensionsers In England, Scotland & Wales

For England, Scotland, and Wales, boiler grants for pensioners are only available through the ECO scheme setup by the UK Government.

The Energy Companies Obligation (ECO) Boiler Scheme

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) Scheme isn’t just limited to installing free boilers for pensioners. If you’re eligible for a free boiler, there’s a good chance you might also qualify for:

• Free boiler repairs
• Free property insulation

If you’re looking for more details on the insulation segment of the ECO government scheme, you’ll want to search the Carbon Emissions Reduction Obligation (CERO).

For boilers, the Home Heating Cost Reduction Obligation (HHCRO) section of the ECO scheme is designed to help those in need heat their home. So, it covers boiler replacements and boiler repairs.

Who Funds the ECO Grant, and am I Guaranteed a Free Boiler?

The ECO boiler grant is supported by the “big six” energy companies. Not everyone (even when eligible for a grant) will get a payment that results in a free boiler.

Often, the payment is likely to contribute to the replacement cost rather than cover it completely.

Either way, it’s free money!

Your Eligibility

Boiler grants for pensioners have straightforward eligibility criteria: You must be receiving Pension Guarantee Credit, and be over 60 years old.

However, if you’re a pensioner that doesn’t receive Pension Guarantee Credit, you or your family might be eligible if you receive:

• ESA (Employment Supporter Allowance)
• JSA (Job Seekers Allowance)
• A regular form of Income Support
• Tax Credits (There are conditions here based on household income)
• Universal Credit (Like Tax Credits, there are conditions limiting eligibility based on household income)

Boiler Eligibility

The boiler you’re about to replace also needs to qualify for the grant. The Government will replace your appliance if you have an LPG, oil, or gas boiler.

However, the boiler needs to be more than 10 years old. If you have a boiler that isn’t 10 years old (or older) and is condensing, it’s unlikely you will be eligible.

Property Eligibility

If you are a pensioner living in either of the living arrangements below, you could be eligible for an ECO-funded boiler:

• You rent a private residence
• You are the home owner

Social housing living arrangements are not currently covered under the scheme.

How to Apply for Free Boilers for Pensioners (ECO Funded)

If you’re eligible (or aren’t 100% sure if you are), the best thing you can do is speak to an adviser.

As a pensioner looking for a free boiler, you can get an adviser to help determine if you’re eligible.

Free Boilers for Pensioners in Northern Ireland

So, the ECO scheme is one that provides free boilers for penioners in the UK.

But what if you’re in Northern Ireland?

Boiler Replacement Scheme 

Age Concern merged with AgeUK a while back, and whilst the latter did offer free boiler replacement for pensioners in the past, this doesn’t seem to be the case now.

Instead, pensioners in Northern Ireland can take advantage of the boiler replacement scheme that is available to the general population, given that they meet the eligibility criteria.

Your Eligibility

So, which pensioners are eligible for boiler grants in Northern Ireland? Let’s have a look below:

• Homeowners who occupy their property
• Those with a gross annual income of less than £40,000

Boiler Eligibility

Oil, LPG, and gas boilers, that are 15 years or older are eligible.

The upgrade grant can be used for swapping the current boiler for a more efficient gas or oil boiler. Likewise, it can be used to convert your central heating system to an eco-friendly wood pellet boiler (biomass).

How to Apply for a Free Boiler Under the Boiler Replacement Scheme

You can follow the instructions on the government website at this link. Alternatively, you can call 03448 920 900 or send an email to [email protected].

Boiler Replacement Costs (Without Grants)

If you’ve determined you’re not eligible for a free boiler grant (for instance, you’re not on benefits or Guaranteed Pension Credit), here’s a quick guide to boiler installation costs.

A boiler for a typical 2-3 bedroom home is likely to cost anywhere between £2,000-£2,500, including installation by a Gas Safe heating engineer.

Now, that might seem slightly vague. But there are a range of things that affect the cost of a boiler replacement. These might include:

• The size (and therefore cost) of the boiler
• Type of boiler (for instance, oil boilers are more expensive than gas boilers)
• Extra pipework needed
• Upgrading a boiler to a combi from a regular or system boiler
• Converting a boiler to or from LPG, gas, oil, or biomass

Those are estimated costs from a local installer for a mid-tier to premium brand, with a 5-year+ warranty.

However, if you’re looking for a cracking deal, we’d suggest visiting Heatable. Whilst they don’t offer free boilers, their prices are quite affordable.

You’ll be able to get a fixed price now, like the one we got below, by using their clickable, anonymous quote form. As these are Worcester Bosch boilers, fitted by accredited Gas Safe installers, you’ll get up to a 10-year warranty.

And, as you can see from the image, you’ll be able to get you new boiler on finance, too.

If you’re still confused, the best thing to do is read our boiler installation cost guide. This guide tries to account for a few different scenarios to give a more accurate cost estimate for boiler replacement.

Energy Bill Supplements

So, now you’ve sorted out your new boiler, there are a few other ways for you to save money on your energy bills. The Government runs a range of schemes designed to supplement payments to energy suppliers, and not just for pensioners.

Warm Home Discount

As a pensioner, you’ll be eligible for the Warm Home Discount if you get a Pension Credit Guarantee.

The Warm Home Discount is for pensioners and low-income households, and provides a one-time discount of up to £140 off your electricity bill. Recepients don’t get the money directly — it goes to the energy supplier, who then deducts the amount from the bill.

You can find out more about the Warm Home Discount here.

Cold Weather Payment

The Cold Weather Payment is essentially a winter fuel payment that can help you cover your heating bills during the year’s coldest period.

The Government subsidise utility payments by £25 for every 7 days of extreme cold weather, between November 1st and March 31st. This Government website has more details on Cold Weather Payment eligibility.

What’s Next?

Thanks for reading our 5-minute guide to free boiler replacement grants for pensioners.

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