ECO4, until 31 December 2026
Apply for a free boiler
An ECO4 boiler replacement. Not the Boiler Upgrade Scheme on GOV.UK.
We are not the government. We are an ECO4 installer, and if you may qualify, the survey, boiler and Gas Safe install can be covered. Check in the form.
- Benefit
- A listed benefit, or a council referral under LA Flex.
- Rating
- An EPC of D, E, F or G.
- Home
- You own it. A tenant needs the landlord's permission.
ECO4 schemeHow to applyfree boiler scheme explainedWho qualifies
Choose one option to continue. Nothing is sent until the last step.
Step 1 of 5
Can I get a free boiler?
Yes, if your household gets a listed benefit, or your council refers you under LA Flex, and your home has an EPC rating of D, E, F or G. ECO4 can then pay for the survey, a new A-rated boiler and the installation until 31 December 2026.
Meeting the rules does not guarantee an installation. Ofgem says a survey decides what suits your home, and the energy supplier decides whether to fund it.
Who pays for it?
The government sets ECO4, Ofgem administers it and obligated energy suppliers pay for the work. Ofgem says ECO is not a grant scheme: no money is paid to you, and the supplier funds the measures after an assessment.
What is covered?
For an approved household: the home survey, a new A-rated condensing boiler and installation by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The survey may also recommend insulation or heating controls alongside the boiler.
Will I pay anything?
There is no fee to apply. Ofgem says some households may be asked to contribute to the installation, so get any cost in writing before work starts.
How old does my boiler need to be?
There is no set age. Ofgem's ECO4 FAQs set no boiler age rule. An old or inefficient boiler is still worth checking, because the survey decides what the home needs.
How long does it take?
Ofgem sets no timescale, and we cannot promise a date. The check on this page takes a few minutes. The survey and the supplier's approval come next, then the installation.
Is ECO4 still open?
Yes. ECO4 runs until 31 December 2026. Surveys and approvals take time, so checking early leaves more room before the scheme closes.
How an application moves
Check
Answer the questions on this page. Nothing is sent until the last step.
Survey
An assessor looks at the heating system, in person or remotely where that is allowed.
Paperwork
We submit the application. The scheme administrator approves or declines it.
Install
On approval, a Gas Safe registered engineer fits the boiler. Eligible households are not charged.
Not sure where your home stands? Look up your EPC rating, read who qualifies for a boiler grant, or compare the other home energy grants, including insulation grants. When you are ready, start your ECO4 application.
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Home survey
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Boiler installation
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Application
Who can apply
Three checks decide whether a household can be put forward. Meeting them does not guarantee an installation.
- Benefit
- Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based JSA, income-related ESA, or Housing Benefit.
- Home
- An EPC rating of D, E, F or G. The chart shows where D sits.
- Tenure
- You own the home. A private tenant needs the landlord's permission. Ofgem says a boiler replacement is usually not eligible in a private rented home.
EPC rating chart
Which scheme applies
We check this during the form. You do not need to pick one first.
| Scheme | Who it is for | What it can cover |
|---|---|---|
| ECO4 | Households on a listed benefit, or referred by a participating council under LA Flex. | Boiler replacement, insulation and heating upgrades, subject to assessment. Funded until 31 December 2026. |
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme | Homeowners replacing fossil-fuel heating with a heat pump. This is not a free gas boiler. | A grant toward a heat pump, funded through 2029/30. |
| Warm Homes: Local Grant | Lower-income households that are not on a qualifying benefit. | Insulation and heating, delivered by the council, running to March 2028. |
The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026.
LA Flex explainedCompare schemesBoiler Upgrade Scheme grants
Where we work
If your town is not listed, the form still covers it.
Questions
What is the ECO4 scheme?
ECO4 is the Energy Company Obligation. It pays for energy efficiency work in eligible UK homes, including a boiler replacement where the rules allow. It runs until 31 December 2026.
Who qualifies for a free boiler grant?
A household may qualify with a listed benefit such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit, and a home rated EPC D, E, F or G. Eligibility is not the same as an approved installation.
Can I qualify without receiving benefits?
A participating council can refer a household under LA Flex when the circumstances fit, including fuel poverty or a low income. The council decides.
Is this the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
No. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a separate grant toward a heat pump. ECO4 is the route that can replace a gas boiler for an eligible household.
Do I need to own my home?
Homeowners can apply directly. A private tenant needs the landlord's permission, and Ofgem says a boiler replacement is usually not an eligible measure in a private rented home.
What does my EPC rating have to do with eligibility?
Homes rated D, E, F or G may be prioritised because they use more energy. An EPC rating on its own does not get an application approved.
How much can I save with a new boiler?
A new A-rated boiler is more efficient than an old one, so energy bills usually fall. How much you save depends on your current boiler's efficiency and your heating usage.
What if I don't qualify?
We will say so if the household does not meet the current rules, and point to other support such as insulation where that applies.
What happens to my personal information?
Your personal data is processed in accordance with UK GDPR and our Privacy Policy. We do not share your information with third parties without consent, except where required by law or to progress your grant application.
Is ApplyFreeBoiler part of the government?
No. ApplyFreeBoiler.uk is run by Reliant Energy Solutions Ltd, an ECO4 installer. We check eligibility, handle the application and install the work. We are not the government or an energy supplier.
