Grants & finance
Free boiler grants and finance options
The ECO4 scheme can fund a free boiler replacement for households on certain benefits. It was extended to December 2026 in February 2026. If you do not qualify, 0 percent finance from online retailers and personal loans are the next-best options for spreading the cost.
ECO4 status update
ECO4 extended to December 2026
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme was extended in February 2026 from its previous March 2026 end date. Funding is provided by the larger UK energy suppliers, who must spend a set amount on energy-efficiency measures for fuel-poor households. Budgets are first-come, first-served. Apply early in the year if you qualify.
Who qualifies
ECO4 eligibility criteria
You generally need to meet one of these qualifying benefit conditions plus a low EPC rating (D, E, F, or G) on the property.
Qualifying benefits (a sample)
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit (Guarantee element)
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Child Tax Credit (with income under £19,995 for couples)
- Working Tax Credit (with similar income limits)
- Housing Benefit
ECO4 Flex (LA Flex)
Households that do not get a qualifying benefit can still apply through Local Authority Flex if total household income is under £31,000, or if a member of the household has a health condition aggravated by cold (asthma, heart condition, respiratory issues). Each council sets its own criteria.
The process
How to apply
- 01
Check eligibility
Run the gov.uk ECO4 checker, or call your energy supplier. They will ask about benefits, EPC rating, and household income.
- 02
Pick an installer or scheme provider
ECO4 is delivered through accredited installers. Your energy supplier or a scheme provider will allocate one to you.
- 03
Home assessment
An assessor visits to confirm EPC band and survey the property. They check the existing boiler is broken or G-rated and that the new install will meet ECO4 standards.
- 04
Installation
If approved, the work is funded entirely by the energy supplier. You pay nothing. Installation typically happens within a few weeks of approval.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
BUS does not cover gas combi boilers
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme funds heat pumps, not gas combis. Grants run at £7,500 for air-source and ground-source heat pumps, and £2,500 for biomass boilers in rural off-grid areas. If you are weighing a heat pump against a new combi, the BUS grant changes the maths a lot. Most UK homes are still cheaper to run on a gas combi for now, but heat pumps catch up fast on a well-insulated home with the grant included.
If you do not qualify
Finance options for the rest
Most of us do not qualify for ECO4. These are the realistic ways to spread a £2,500 to £3,500 install cost.
0 percent installer finance
Boxt, Heatable, and a few others offer 0 percent finance over 24 to 36 months on direct installs. No interest, but you must complete the term to keep the rate.
Personal loan
An unsecured personal loan from your bank typically runs 6 to 9 percent APR for £3,000 over 3 years. More flexible than installer finance but you pay interest.
Buy now, pay later
Klarna and Clearpay are appearing on some online retailer checkouts. Useful for short delays but interest piles up if you miss the schedule.
0 percent credit card
A 0 percent purchase card can cover £2,500 to £3,500 if your limit allows. Watch the end of the 0 percent period closely, the rate jumps after.
Existing remortgage
Adding the cost to a mortgage spreads it over 20+ years. Cheap interest but you pay it for a long time. Only sensible alongside a wider energy upgrade.
Pay outright
Cheapest in absolute terms. If you have £3,000 in savings and the boiler is end-of-life, paying upfront and saving the interest is usually the best option.
FAQs
Common questions
Is the ECO4 scheme still running in 2026?v
Yes. ECO4 was extended in February 2026 from its previous March 2026 end date to December 2026. Apply early in the year, budgets are first-come, first-served and run out before the deadline most years.
Can I get a free combi boiler on ECO4?v
Yes, if you qualify. ECO4 covers gas boiler replacements for households on qualifying benefits with an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G. The household must own (or have landlord permission for) the property and the existing boiler must be broken or G-rated.
What is ECO4 Flex?v
ECO4 Flex (also called LA Flex) is a route in for households that do not get a qualifying benefit. Income under £31,000, or a household member with a health condition made worse by cold, can qualify. Each local authority sets its own rules.
How long does ECO4 take from start to install?v
Around 6 to 12 weeks from initial check to install, depending on assessor availability and installer slots. Apply at the start of the year for the shortest wait.
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