Warming your home does not come cheap. Indeed, for most homes in the UK, energy bills are among the largest monthly outlays. If you still have an old boiler, you could be paying much more than you have to. Old boilers lose energy, fail frequently, and make homes more difficult to warm.
That’s where the Free Boiler Scheme on ECO4 is here to help. This government-supported initiative can assist homes in replacing their outdated, inefficient boilers with new ones – completely free of charge if they meet the qualifications. A new boiler does more than just warm your house. It can cut your energy bills, enhance comfort, and even lower carbon emissions.
In this guide, we will explain precisely how the free boiler scheme works, who is eligible, and how it saves families money year in and year out.
Why Old Boilers Cost You More
If your boiler was fitted before 2005, chances are it’s a non-condensing boiler. Such outdated systems can have efficiencies as low as 70%, so almost half of the energy you’re paying for goes straight down the drain. This is compared to new A-rated condensing boilers, which are a minimum of 90–94% efficient.
This efficiency gap has a direct impact on your bills. To give you an example:
- With an old boiler, for every £1 spent on gas, around 30p is lost as wasted heat.
- With a modern boiler, only about 6–10p is wasted.
- Over a year, that can mean hundreds of pounds lost just by running an outdated boiler.
What is the Free Boiler Scheme?
The free boiler scheme is under the government’s ECO4 scheme (Energy Company Obligation phase 4). It operates from April 2022 to March 2026 and imposes a legal obligation on big energy suppliers to support low-income and vulnerable residents in making their homes more energy efficient.
The assistance usually takes the form of:
- Free or subsidised boiler replacements
- Initial central heating installations
- Upgrade insulation
- Renewable heating alternatives (such as air source heat pumps) in certain situations
For boilers, the ECO4 scheme is aimed at old, non-condensing gas boilers that were fitted before 2005.
How a Free Boiler Reduces Energy Bills
Swapping an old, inefficient boiler for a new A-rated condensing boiler makes a huge difference. Here’s why:
- Increased Efficiency
An up-to-date boiler burns more of the gas it consumes into useful heat. This wastes less energy and keeps your energy bills down.
- Efficient Heating
Old boilers create “cold spots” in your house. New boilers warm rooms homogeneously, so you don’t have to overheat them.
- Smart Controls
New boilers are often pre-fitted with programmable thermostats. These allow you to program heating timetables, so you can only consume energy when it is necessary.
- Lower Repair Costs
Malfunctions cost too much. A fault-free new boiler reduces maintenance expenses, which adds up to cost savings in the long run.
Who is Eligible for the Free Boiler Scheme?
The ECO4 scheme is not available to everyone. It is offered to assist those most in need. You might be eligible if:
- You are an owner-occupier or a private rented property resident
- Your boiler is old, non-condensing, and was fitted before 2005
- Your house has a low energy efficiency rating (EPC D or below)
- You claim certain qualifying benefits, including:
- Pension Credit (Guarantee or Savings Credit)
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
Landlords can also apply for eligible tenants.
The Application Process
It’s easy to apply for the Free Boiler Scheme:
- Check if you’re eligible: Typically by filling in an online form or a brief phone call.
- Property assessment: An installer will visit you to inspect your boiler, the insulation in your home, and your EPC rating.
- Approval and booking: If you qualify, installation is booked at no expense.
- Installation: A Gas Safe registered installer replaces your existing boiler with a new high-efficiency one.
The process is hassle-free, with no upfront payment or hidden charges.
Real Savings for UK Households
So how much can a new boiler save you? Let’s consider the numbers.
The Energy Saving Trust estimates that:
Replacing an old G-rated boiler with a new A-rated boiler could save you £300–£580 per year on gas (depending on house size).
That’s £3,000–£5,800 over 10 years saved.
When added to insulation improvements also being paid for by ECO4, savings can be even greater, as less heat leaks out of your house.
Free Boiler Scheme vs Paying for a Boiler
Purchasing a new boiler in cash ranges from £2,500 to £4,000, depending on brand and installation requirements. Most households cannot pay that amount upfront, particularly at the height of a cost-of-living crisis.
The Free Boiler Scheme eliminates this obstacle. Rather than paying thousands, qualifying households receive the new boiler at no cost. This results in:
- No finance packages Available
- No extra charges
- Immediate access to savings on energy bills
Environmental Benefits
It’s not all about cash. Boilers are a major contributor to carbon emissions in the UK. 14% of the UK’s overall emissions come from heating, primarily through gas burning.
Installing an A-rated boiler instead of an old one reduces your home’s carbon footprint by more than 1,200 kg of CO2 per annum. It brings the UK closer to its net-zero targets.
And in certain instances, ECO4 can even fit renewable alternatives such as air source heat pumps in place of boilers, taking carbon savings even further.
Widespread Misconceptions Regarding the Free Boiler Scheme
There are some that are unclear on whether or not the scheme is legitimate. Let’s dispel a few misconceptions:
- “It’s a scam.”
No. ECO4 is government-funded and administered by large energy suppliers. Scammers are out there, however, so always apply through reputable suppliers.
- “Hidden fees to pay.”
Wrong. If you qualify, installation is free. Certain homes might require small contributions if more work is needed, but this is made clear up front.
- “It’s just for homeowners.”
Not true. Privately rented home tenants can also qualify, provided they meet the requirements.
The Bottom Line
The Free Boiler Scheme, as part of ECO4, is one of the easiest ways to reduce your energy bills while making your home more efficient. By having an existing, inefficient boiler replaced with a brand new A-rated model, domestic households can save hundreds of pounds on their bills annually, lower carbon emissions, and benefit from a warmer, more comfortable home.
If you’ve got a pre-2005 boiler and you get specific benefits, it’s time to find out if you can qualify. Don’t let another winter go by with high bills and inadequate heating. Apply now and discover whether you can benefit from the Free Boiler Scheme.
