Thinking about getting help to pay for a new heating system? Boiler grants, including those available through the Government Boiler Scheme, can save you money when upgrading your home heating. But here’s the thing – these grants aren’t the same everywhere in the UK.
If you live in Scotland, you’ll find different options than someone in England. And the rules in Wales might not match what’s offered in Northern Ireland.
Let’s break down how boiler grants work across the UK so you can find the right help for your home.
What Are Boiler Grants?
Boiler grants help pay for new, cleaner heating systems. They aim to:
- Cut carbon emissions
- Make homes warmer
- Lower energy bills
- Help people who might struggle to pay for upgrades
Most grants share some basic rules. You usually need to:
- Own your home (though some help renters too)
- Replace an old gas or oil boiler
- Have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- Meet income guidelines or get certain benefits
The main UK grant programs include:
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme (mostly England and Wales)
- ECO4 Scheme (across the UK but with regional differences)
- Home Energy Scotland (Scotland only)
- Local council grants (vary by area)
Boiler Grants in England and Wales
England and Wales share most of the same grant programs. The two main ones are:
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
This is the biggest grant program in England and Wales. Here’s what you can get:
- £7,500 toward an air source or ground source heat pump
- £5,000 for a biomass boiler (in rural areas)
To qualify, you need to:
- Own your property (or be a landlord)
- Replace a fossil fuel heating system (like gas, oil, or LPG)
- Have a valid EPC with no outstanding loft or cavity wall insulation
- Not be in social housing or a new build
The way it works is simple:
- You find an MCS-certified installer
- They apply for a voucher from Ofgem for you
- The grant gets paid directly to the installer
- You pay the rest of the cost
One key rule: you can’t use BUS for hybrid systems that combine renewable heating with a gas boiler.
- ECO4 Scheme
This program targets people who might struggle to pay their energy bills. It can provide:
- Free boiler replacements
- Insulation upgrades
- Other energy-saving measures
To qualify, you usually need to:
- Own your home or rent privately
- Receive certain benefits (like Universal Credit or Pension Credit)
- Live in a home with a poor energy rating
The ECO4 scheme works pretty much the same way across England and Wales, with energy companies funding the improvements.
Boiler Grants in Scotland
Scotland has its own set of grant programs that work differently from England and Wales.
- Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan
This program offers both grants and interest-free loans. Here’s what’s available:
- Grants up to £7,500 for renewable heating systems
- Additional help for those in rural areas
- Interest-free loans to cover remaining costs
- Support for multiple home improvements at once
The program can help pay for:
- Heat pumps
- Solar water heating
- Energy-efficient boilers
- Home insulation
- Smart heating controls
Unlike in England and Wales, you apply directly to Home Energy Scotland rather than through an installer.
- Warmer Homes Scotland
This program helps people who struggle with energy bills. It provides:
- Free heating systems
- Insulation
- Renewable technology where suitable
To qualify, you typically need to:
- Own or privately rent your home
- Have lived there for at least 12 months
- Receive certain benefits or meet age criteria
- Live in a property that meets the energy efficiency requirements
Scotland’s approach often combines heating upgrades with other energy efficiency improvements in one package.
Boiler Grants in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland’s situation is quite different from the rest of the UK.
The main boiler grant program, the Boiler Replacement Scheme, ended in September 2023. This has left a gap in support.
Currently, Northern Irish homeowners have:
- Limited government funding for heating upgrades
- Some local council schemes
- Occasional short-term programs
If you live in Northern Ireland, your best options are to:
- Check with your local council about any current schemes
- Look into the Affordable Warmth Scheme if you’re on a low income
- Contact Northern Ireland Energy Advice for the latest information
The support is generally more limited than in other parts of the UK right now.
How Do the Grants Differ Across the UK?
Let’s look at the main differences between boiler grants across the UK:
- Grant Amounts
- England & Wales: Up to £7,500 for heat pumps, £5,000 for biomass boilers
- Scotland: Variable grants plus interest-free loans, sometimes covering more of the cost
- Northern Ireland: Limited funding with smaller grant amounts when available
- Technologies Covered
- England & Wales: Focus on heat pumps and biomass boilers
- Scotland: Wider range including heat pumps, solar thermal, and energy efficient boilers
- Northern Ireland: Mostly focused on replacement boilers when grants are available
- Who Can Apply
- England & Wales: Property owners replacing fossil fuel systems, with some benefit-based options
- Scotland: Income-based eligibility with extra help for rural areas and older homes
- Northern Ireland: Usually targeted at lower income households or vulnerable people
- How to Apply
- England & Wales: Through certified installers who handle the paperwork
- Scotland: Direct application to Home Energy Scotland
- Northern Ireland: Through local councils or energy advice services
- Coverage Areas
Each program has strict boundaries:
- BUS covers England and Wales only
- Home Energy Scotland covers Scotland only
- Northern Ireland has its own separate systems
- No UK-wide program works exactly the same everywhere
Final Thoughts
No, boiler grants are definitely not the same across the UK. Where you live makes a big difference to:
- How much money can you get
- What heating systems are covered
- How you apply
- Who qualifies for help
If you’re looking for help with heating costs, make sure you check what’s available specifically in your area. Don’t rely on general UK advice or what worked for friends or family in other regions.The good news is that help is available almost everywhere – it just comes in different forms. With the right information about your local options and by using an EPC Calculator to see how energy efficient your home currently is, you can find the best support for your heating upgrade.
