Table of Contents
By January 2024, approximately 6.4 million people throughout England, Scotland, and Wales were receiving Universal Credit, the vital support system behind low-income households. The rising costs of living and energy make it hard for people on Universal Credit to warm and heat their houses.
Thankfully, the solution is the ECO4 Boiler Grant. The government’s scheme for free boiler grants is to make individual homes energy-efficient and, therefore, more affordable in terms of heating for those who will need it most. If you are on Universal Credit, you should know how this Free Boiler grant works to see whether this will be your key to a warmer and more affordable home.
What is the ECO4 Boiler Grant?
The ECO4 Boiler Grant is a UK Government program that helps low-income households make their homes more energy efficient. It also has a target of reducing carbon emissions and making the UK environmentally friendly.
This grant falls under the Energy Company Obligation. It enables the low-income households to replace their outdated inefficient boilers with the latest energy-saving models completely – absolutely free.
Who is Eligible for ECO4 Boiler Scheme UK?
To qualify for the Free Boiler Grant, you need to meet specific criteria.
- Homeowner or a private tenant.
- Older boiler, preferably installed before 2005.
- Low EPC rating: D, E, F, or G.
- Gas metre installed before April 2022.
- Household income is below £31,000 a year.
- You must be receiving any qualifying government benefit.
Qualifying Government Benefits
The following government benefits qualify you for the Free Boiler Grant:
- Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support (IS)
- Working Tax Credit (WTC)
- Child Tax Credit (CTC)
- Universal Credit (UC)
- Pension Guarantee Credit
- Pension Savings Credit
What is Universal Credit?
Universal Credit is a single monthly payment to help people of working age with their living costs. It replaces many other benefits in order to simplify the process for people who are either on a very low income or completely out of work. There were 6.4 million people on UC in England, Scotland, and Wales in January 2024. Almost 40% of those receiving UC are working.
You might qualify if you are:
- Out of work
- Working, including part-time or self-employed
- Unable to work due to a health condition
Eligibility Criteria for Universal Credit
To claim UC, you must:
- Live in the UK
- Be aged 18 or over (some exceptions apply if you’re 16 or 17)
- Be under the State Pension age
- Have £16,000 or less in money, savings, and investments
Monthly Standard Allowance for Universal Credit
The monthly amount you receive depends on your circumstances:
- If you’re single and under 25: £311.68
- If you’re single and 25 or over: £393.45
Are Universal Credit Recipients Eligible for the ECO4 Boiler Scheme?
Yes, you can. You may be eligible for the ECO4 Boiler Scheme if you receive Universal Credit. The ECO4 Scheme has been devised to ensure that low-income families can make their homes more energy efficient while reducing their heating costs. Universal Credit is one of those qualifying benefits; hence, this makes it reach a large number of UK citizens who are in dire need.
In addition to that, you need to fulfil all types of eligibility criteria under ECO4, like a homeowner or private tenant with more than a 15-year-old boiler. This scheme can thus be quite worthy in being able to assist in cutting off the heating cost and energy efficiency in your home.
ECO4 Grant Benefits for Universal Credit Benefit Recipients
These are some of the key benefits that come with the ECO4 Boiler Scheme, among others, for recipients of Universal Credit:
1. Reduced Energy Bills
Perhaps the biggest advantage of the ECO4 scheme, however, is the sheer drop it can give in energy costs. Replacing an old boiler with a new and highly efficient one could reduce annual heating bills by up to 40%. This for average UK households means potential savings as high as £500 a year – a serious decrease for many low-income families.
2. Improved Heating Efficiency
Older boilers, especially those above 15 years, can be highly inefficient, sometimes to as low as 70% efficiency rates.
New boilers through ECO4 grants will be installed with efficiencies over 92%, allowing more reliability and effectiveness of heating through homes.
3. No Upfront Fees
The ECO4 government grant entails the entire cost for a new boiler and installation; you pay nothing out of pocket. For many houses, replacing one inefficient boiler with a new one might cost from £1,500 up to £3,500, even if this price is a bit too high for most people’s budgets.
Through the ECO4 scheme, Universal Credit recipients thus get to upgrade their heating systems at no cost.
4. Increased Property Values
Installing an energy-efficient boiler can in turn increase the property’s EPC rating. It goes a long way for the existing homeowner or one intending to sell the property or let it out.
The higher one’s EPC rating is, the more pleasing the property will be from the point of view of a buyer or tenant. It can also add an estimated 5-10% to the value of one’s home.
5. Carbon Footprint Reduction
Installing a high-efficiency boiler can cut your home’s carbon emissions by as much as 1.5 tonnes per year.
As heating remains one of the biggest carbon emitters in UK homes, this grant provides the greenest solutions that will help the UK meet its net-zero emission target by 2050.
How do you Apply for an ECO4 Grant as a Recipient of Universal Credit?
Application for ECO4 Grant requires a lot of simple procedures in the case of Universal Credit:
- Check Eligibility: Make sure you meet the various criteria that make you eligible to apply – for instance, you receive Universal Credit, have a qualifying boiler, and belong to the property type deemed eligible.
- Find a Registered Provider: Approach any licensed energy provider or agency that is authorised to issue ECO4 grants. They will assist you with the application process in accordance with their rules and regulations.
- Complete Application: Details on income and property, plus details about the existing boiler, are needed to complete the application.
- Site Survey: A professional may visit your property to assess the boiler and confirm eligibility.
- Boiler Installation: After approval, an accredited installer will remove the old boiler and install a new energy-efficient boiler within 2-3 days.
Claim your Free Boiler Grant with Your Universal Credit Today!
The ECO4 Boiler Grant, if you’re on Universal Credit, can make your home enjoyably warmer and more energy-efficient without any upfront cost. So, don’t wait to let your home be comfier with an environment-friendly approach.
Contact us today to see if you’re eligible and to begin the application process. A free replacement boiler could just be that one phone call away!
Frequently Asked Questions
Check your eligibility online (you can check it on our website, free of cost). Your eligibility criteria include being a householder or private tenant with a boiler over 2005, having a low EPC rating, and an annual income of £31,000 or less. You should also receive a qualifying benefit like Universal Credit.
No, the ECO4 Grant pays for the full cost of the boiler, plus installment and disposal of your old system – so it does not cost anything.
Yes, it does apply to private tenants; however, permission from the landlord is needed for the installation.
