Boiler and Heating Grants
The main boiler and heating grants in the UK in 2026 are ECO4, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and the Warm Homes: Local Grant. ECO4 can replace a broken or inefficient boiler for some low income households, but it ends on 31 December 2026. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives £7,500 off a heat pump with no income test. The Warm Homes grant funds heat pumps for lower income homes in England.
Please note: InstantGrant is an independent, private information and support service. We are not the government, Ofgem, a council, an energy supplier or an installer, and we cannot approve or pay any grant. Every decision is made by the official scheme body. Always confirm the latest rules with them before any work starts.
Check Which Heating Grant I Qualify For
Which Boiler and Heating Grants Are Available in the UK Right Now?
Three national schemes fund heating upgrades in 2026: ECO4, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and the Warm Homes: Local Grant. Each one has different rules, pays for different heating systems and covers different parts of the UK. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also run their own heating grants alongside or instead of these.
Boiler and Heating Grants at a Glance
Scheme | Heating it can fund | Grant amount | Income test | Where it applies | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ECO4 | Boiler repair, replacement or upgrade, first time central heating, heat pumps | Set by the installer and supplier per home | Yes, benefits or council Flex referral | England, Scotland, Wales | Ends 31 December 2026 |
Boiler Upgrade Scheme | Heat pumps and biomass boilers only | £7,500 for an air or ground source heat pump | No | England, Wales | Open |
Warm Homes: Local Grant | Heat pumps and high heat retention storage heaters | Up to £15,000 for low carbon heating | Yes | England | Open through councils |
Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan | Heat pumps and heat network connections | £7,500, or £9,000 with the rural uplift | No | Scotland | Open |
Nest | Boiler repair or replacement, heat pumps, central heating | Fully funded package after assessment | Yes | Wales | Open |
Affordable Warmth Scheme | Heating and insulation measures | Up to £7,500, or £10,000 with solid wall work | Yes, income below £23,000 | Northern Ireland | Open |
Schemes That Have Closed or Do Not Exist
The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026. Northern Ireland's Boiler Replacement Scheme closed in September 2023. There is no government boiler scrappage scheme, and no ECO5 has been announced. If a company offers any of these, treat it as a warning sign. Our guide to the government boiler scrappage scheme explains where that myth comes from.
Can You Get a Free Gas Boiler Through a Government Grant?
Only in limited cases. ECO4 can replace a gas boiler that is broken or inefficient for some households on qualifying benefits, until 31 December 2026. Nest in Wales can also fund a boiler after an assessment. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme and the Warm Homes grant do not pay for gas boilers at all.
How ECO4 Handles Boiler Replacements
Ofgem sets strict rules for boilers under ECO4. A working boiler is only upgraded if it is inefficient, which usually means an older non-condensing model. A broken boiler that was efficient can be replaced only if it cannot be repaired at a sensible cost, and energy suppliers have a limited cap on these jobs. A working condensing boiler will not be replaced.
ECO4 also limits boiler work in privately rented homes. In general, a landlord's boiler cannot be repaired or replaced under ECO4 unless it is being swapped for first time central heating, renewable heating or a heat network connection. The full rules are on Ofgem's ECO FAQ page.
Why the Heat Pump Grants Do Not Pay for Gas Boilers
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme and the Warm Homes grant are both designed to move homes away from fossil fuel heating. Despite its name, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme pays towards heat pumps and biomass boilers, not new gas or oil boilers. The Warm Homes grant funds heat pumps and storage heaters for the same reason.
Where a Funded Boiler Is Still Possible
Your realistic options for a funded gas boiler in 2026 are ECO4 before it closes, Nest if you live in Wales, and the Affordable Warmth Scheme in Northern Ireland, which covers heating measures for low income homes. If your boiler has broken and someone in your home is elderly, disabled or unwell, also contact your energy supplier and your council's housing team. Our guide to free boiler replacement government schemes covers each route in detail.
ECO4: The Heating Grant That Ends on 31 December 2026
ECO4 is an Ofgem regulated scheme funded by the larger energy suppliers, not by the government directly. It pays for insulation and heating upgrades in low income homes with an EPC rating of D to G. The scheme was extended to 31 December 2026, and all work must be finished by that date.
Who Qualifies for ECO4
You usually qualify if someone in your home receives a qualifying benefit, such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit or Child Benefit within income limits, and your home has an EPC rating of D or lower. Some councils can also refer households through ECO4 Flex. Ofgem says Flex can cover homes with a combined gross income under £31,000, or where someone has a serious health condition made worse by a cold home.
What ECO4 Can Pay For
ECO4 takes a whole house approach, so heating work usually comes with insulation. Funded measures include boiler repairs, replacements and upgrades within Ofgem's rules, first time central heating, air source heat pumps, loft and wall insulation, and heating controls. The installer's survey decides which measures your home gets.
Is It Too Late to Apply for ECO4?
Not officially, but time and money are running out. The extension to December 2026 came with no extra funding, and many suppliers have already met their targets. In some areas, such as Greater Manchester, council approved installers have no ECO4 funding left. If you think you qualify, apply now and ask the installer to confirm in writing that funding is available. Our guide on how to apply for an ECO4 grant walks through each step.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme: £7,500 Off a Heat Pump
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives homeowners in England and Wales £7,500 off an air source or ground source heat pump. There is no income test and no benefit requirement. Your MCS certified installer applies for the grant and takes it off your bill, so you never handle the money yourself.
How Much the Boiler Upgrade Scheme Pays
Heating system | Grant amount |
|---|---|
Air source heat pump | £7,500 |
Ground source heat pump, including water source | £7,500 |
Air to air heat pump | £2,500 |
Biomass boiler | £5,000 |
Air or ground source heat pump replacing oil or LPG in an off gas home, 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027 | £9,000 |
Who Can Apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Homeowners, private landlords and small business owners in England and Wales can apply. The new system must replace fossil fuel or electric heating, and it must be fitted by an MCS certified installer. Only one grant is allowed per property. New build homes are excluded, apart from self builds. Changes in April 2026 removed the need for a valid EPC before applying.
How the Grant Is Paid
You do not apply yourself. Your installer checks your eligibility, applies to Ofgem on your behalf and deducts the grant from your quote once the voucher is approved. Full details are on the GOV.UK Boiler Upgrade Scheme page. If an application has already failed, our guide to Boiler Upgrade Scheme rejection reasons shows the common fixes.
See If I Qualify for the £7,500 Heat Pump Grant
Warm Homes: Local Grant: Heating Upgrades for Lower Income Homes in England
The Warm Homes: Local Grant is a government funded scheme delivered by councils in England. It can pay for low carbon heating, such as a heat pump, plus energy saving work like insulation and solar panels. Eligible households usually pay nothing. It runs until 31 March 2028 and is part of the government's Warm Homes Plan.
How Much the Warm Homes Grant Pays
The grant has two separate pots. Up to £15,000 can go on low carbon heating, and up to £15,000 on energy performance work such as insulation, glazing and solar panels. Councils manage these limits across their whole project, so the amount for each home depends on what its retrofit assessment recommends.
Who Qualifies for the Warm Homes Grant
Your home must be in England, privately owned or privately rented, and have an EPC rating of D to G. Your household must also meet one of these conditions:
Gross household income below £36,000 a year, or below the adjusted threshold for your household size after housing costs.
Someone in the home receives a means tested benefit.
You live in an eligible postcode in one of England's most deprived areas.
Which Heating Systems the Warm Homes Grant Covers
The low carbon heating pot covers air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps and high heat retention storage heaters. Gas and oil boilers are not funded. Heat pumps must be MCS certified products fitted by certified installers.
How to Apply for the Warm Homes Grant
Start on the GOV.UK Warm Homes: Local Grant page, which checks your postcode and passes eligible applications to your council or its contractor. Greater Manchester and the West Midlands run their own versions with separate funding, so residents there apply through their combined authority. Read our full Warm Homes: Local Grant guide for more detail.
Boiler and Heating Grants in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Heating grants differ across the UK. The Warm Homes grant is England only, and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme covers England and Wales only. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each run their own schemes, and ECO4 does not apply in Northern Ireland at all.
Scotland: Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan
Scottish homeowners can get a grant of up to £7,500 towards a heat pump, or £9,000 in eligible rural and island areas. An optional interest free loan of up to £7,500 can cover more of the cost. The heat pump must supply all of your heating and hot water, so hybrid systems are not eligible. Apply through Home Energy Scotland. See our guide to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme in Scotland for how the two schemes differ.
Wales: Nest
Nest is the Welsh Government's home energy scheme. It can fund a free package of improvements, which may include a boiler repair or replacement, central heating or a heat pump. You must own or privately rent your home, receive a means tested benefit or have a low income, and live in a poorly rated home. Nest offers free advice to every Welsh household on 0808 808 2244. Welsh homeowners can also use the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
Northern Ireland: Affordable Warmth Scheme
The Affordable Warmth Scheme is run by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive for homeowners and private renters with a gross household income below £23,000. It offers a grant of up to £7,500 for heating and insulation measures, or up to £10,000 where solid wall insulation is needed. ECO4 and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme do not apply in Northern Ireland. Our Northern Ireland heating grants guide explains how to apply.
Heating Grants by UK Nation
Scheme | England | Wales | Scotland | Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ECO4, until 31 December 2026 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Boiler Upgrade Scheme | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Warm Homes: Local Grant | Yes | No | No | No |
Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan | No | No | Yes | No |
Nest | No | Yes | No | No |
Affordable Warmth Scheme | No | No | No | Yes |
Which Boiler or Heating Grant Should You Apply For?
The right grant depends on where you live, your income and the heating you want. Lower income households should check the fully funded schemes first: ECO4 before December, the Warm Homes grant in England, Nest in Wales or Affordable Warmth in Northern Ireland. Anyone who owns a home and wants a heat pump can use the Boiler Upgrade Scheme or Home Energy Scotland.
Match Your Situation to the Right Grant
Your situation | Grant to check first |
|---|---|
You receive a qualifying benefit, your EPC is D to G and your boiler is broken or non condensing | ECO4, before 31 December 2026 |
You live in England, your income is below £36,000 and your EPC is D to G | Warm Homes: Local Grant |
You own your home in England or Wales and want a heat pump, whatever your income | Boiler Upgrade Scheme |
Your home in England or Wales uses oil or LPG heating | Boiler Upgrade Scheme at £9,000, until 31 March 2027 |
You live in Scotland | Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan |
You live in Wales on a low income or benefits | Nest |
You live in Northern Ireland with income below £23,000 | Affordable Warmth Scheme |
You rent from a council or housing association | Ask your landlord, as you cannot apply directly |
Five Steps to Check Your Eligibility
Find your EPC rating on the GOV.UK energy certificate register. Scotland has its own separate register.
Check your current heating. Note your fuel type and whether your boiler is condensing, which is usually shown on the boiler's data plate.
Gather proof of income or benefits, such as award letters, payslips or pension statements.
Confirm which schemes run in your nation using the table above.
Apply through the official route: your council for the Warm Homes grant, an MCS installer for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, Home Energy Scotland, Nest or the NI Housing Executive.
Can You Combine Heating Grants?
You can use different schemes for different improvements, such as insulation from one and a heat pump from another. You cannot use two grants for the same item, so the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and the Warm Homes grant cannot both fund one heat pump. Separately, heat pumps and insulation are charged at 0% VAT until 31 March 2027, which applies whether or not you receive a grant.
Boiler and Heating Grants if You Rent Your Home
Private tenants can access most heating grants with their landlord's written permission. Landlords can also apply directly for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and, in England, the Warm Homes grant. Council and housing association tenants cannot apply for these schemes, because social landlords use separate funding.
Private Tenants and Landlords
ECO4 and the Warm Homes grant can fund heating upgrades in privately rented homes when the tenant qualifies and the landlord agrees. Remember that ECO4 rarely replaces a landlord's gas boiler, so a heat pump or first time central heating is more likely. Our guide on who qualifies for a boiler grant as a tenant covers this in more detail.
Council and Housing Association Tenants
If you rent from a council or housing association, your landlord is responsible for heating upgrades. Social landlords can bid for the government's Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund to improve their homes. Report any broken heating to your landlord straight away, as repairs are their legal duty.
What Replaces ECO4 for Boiler and Heating Grants in 2027?
The government's Warm Homes Plan, published on 21 January 2026, replaces ECO4 once it closes. Instead of energy suppliers funding upgrades through bills, the plan uses direct government grants, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and low and zero interest loans that phase in from 2027. A new Warm Homes Agency will oversee the schemes.
What This Means if You Need a New Boiler
No new grant for gas boilers has been announced under the Warm Homes Plan. Its funding focuses on heat pumps, solar panels, batteries and insulation. If you qualify for ECO4 and need a boiler, applying before 31 December 2026 is your best chance. Our guide to what is replacing the ECO4 scheme tracks the changes as details are confirmed.
How to Avoid Boiler Grant Scams
Boiler grant scams often use the words "free" and "government" to rush people into signing. A genuine scheme never charges an upfront fee to secure funding. With ECO4 closing and new schemes starting, criminals are targeting households who are unsure which grants still exist.
Warning Signs of a Grant Scam
You are asked to pay a fee or deposit to "unlock" a grant.
A cold caller promises a free gas boiler through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which never funds gas boilers.
Someone offers the Great British Insulation Scheme or a boiler scrappage scheme.
You are pressured to sign on the day of a visit.
A caller claims to be from Ofgem or the government. Ofgem does not contact households to sell grants.
How to Check an Installer
Ask for proof of the right registration before any survey. ECO4 and Warm Homes installers should be TrustMark registered. Heat pump installers must be MCS certified. Anyone fitting a gas boiler must be on the Gas Safe Register. You can check each registration on the scheme's official website in a few minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There a Free Boiler Grant in the UK in 2026?
There is no general free boiler grant. ECO4 can replace a broken or inefficient boiler for some households on qualifying benefits, but it ends on 31 December 2026 and funding is limited. In Wales, Nest can fund a boiler after an assessment. Most other heating grants pay for heat pumps, not gas boilers.
Does the Boiler Upgrade Scheme Pay for a New Gas Boiler?
No. Despite its name, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme only pays towards heat pumps and biomass boilers. It gives £7,500 off an air source or ground source heat pump and £2,500 off an air to air heat pump in England and Wales. Gas and oil boilers are not covered.
Who Qualifies for a Heating Grant if I Am Not on Benefits?
In England, the Warm Homes: Local Grant accepts households with gross income below £36,000 or living in an eligible postcode, even without benefits. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme has no income test at all. Some councils also accept ECO4 Flex referrals for low income or health reasons until ECO4 ends.
Will ECO4 Replace a Boiler That Still Works?
Usually not. ECO4 can upgrade a working boiler only if it is inefficient, which normally means non condensing. A working condensing boiler is not replaced. A broken efficient boiler can be replaced if it cannot be repaired at a sensible cost, but suppliers have a limited cap for these jobs.
What Happens to Boiler Grants After ECO4 Ends?
ECO4 closes on 31 December 2026. The government's Warm Homes Plan, published in January 2026, replaces it with direct government grants, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and low and zero interest loans that phase in from 2027. No new grant for gas boilers has been announced.
Can I Get a Heating Grant as a Tenant?
Private tenants can apply for ECO4 and the Warm Homes grant with their landlord's permission, and landlords can claim the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Council and housing association tenants cannot apply directly. Their landlord uses separate social housing funding instead.
Can I Use Two Heating Grants Together?
You can combine grants for different improvements, such as insulation from one scheme and a heat pump from another. You cannot use two grants to pay for the same item. For example, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and the Warm Homes grant cannot both fund one heat pump.
How Do I Know if a Boiler Grant Company Is Genuine?
A genuine grant never charges an upfront fee. Check that installers are TrustMark registered for ECO4 and Warm Homes work, MCS certified for heat pumps and Gas Safe registered for gas boilers. If a caller pressures you to sign quickly, end the call and contact the scheme directly.
About This Guide
This guide was written by InstantGrant using current information from Ofgem, GOV.UK, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Home Energy Scotland, Nest and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. It was last checked on 30 September 2026. Grant rules and funding change often, especially as ECO4 closes, so always confirm details with the scheme or your installer before work begins.