Is there a specific government grant just for back boiler removal?

There is no separate grant entitlement based only on removing a back boiler. An eligible heating upgrade may include agreed removal or decommissioning costs, but the supplier or council must confirm the scope.

Can I get a free back boiler replacement on Universal Credit?

Universal Credit is a qualifying benefit for ECO4, but eligibility also depends on your property's EPC rating, tenure and the measures an installer recommends. Receiving a qualifying benefit does not guarantee a free replacement. Your energy supplier or an ECO4 installer assesses whether your home and household meet all the criteria.

Do I have to replace a back boiler with a gas boiler?

No. You can replace it with a heat pump, and the BUS grant provides £7,500 toward an air-to-water or ground-source heat pump in England and Wales. ECO4 may also fund heat pump installations where appropriate. The choice depends on your property, budget and heating needs.

How long does back boiler removal take?

It depends on the property and the complexity of the work.

Will removing a back boiler improve my EPC rating?

Replacing an old back boiler with a modern condensing boiler or heat pump typically improves a property's EPC rating because the new system is significantly more efficient. The exact improvement depends on the property's other characteristics and what rating it started from. An EPC assessor can estimate the likely change.

Back Boiler Removal Grant 2026: Who Qualifies

Back Boiler Removal Grant 2026: Who Qualifies | Eco Home Check

Can You Get a Grant to Remove a Back Boiler?

No government scheme pays only to remove a back boiler. However, two active programmes can fund a full heating replacement that includes taking out the old unit.

Back boilers sit behind a fireplace and heat water for radiators and taps. Older units can have higher fuel use than a well-designed modern replacement. An appropriately qualified engineer should assess condition, safe operation and parts availability for the actual model. Because the back boiler is part of the heating system, grant-funded replacement work normally covers its removal as part of the new installation.

The two main routes available in 2026 are ECO4 and the Warm Homes Local Grant. A third option, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), funds heat pump installations and could apply if you want to switch from a back boiler to a heat pump rather than a new gas boiler. Each scheme has different eligibility rules, and none guarantees funding for every applicant.

Why Back Boilers Need Replacing

Replacement may be worth considering when the existing unit is unreliable, inefficient or cannot be repaired safely. Age alone does not prove a fault or eligibility for funding. Ask an appropriately qualified engineer to assess the appliance and explain repair and replacement options. A replacement quote should state how the old unit will be safely disconnected and whether it will be removed or decommissioned in place.

From a grants perspective, having an old, inefficient heating system is one of the factors that can make a property eligible for funded improvements. A low EPC rating driven partly by an outdated boiler strengthens the case for support through ECO4 or the Warm Homes Local Grant.

ECO4: The Main Route for Low-Income Households

ECO4 may fund eligible heating improvements following a household and property assessment.

Under ECO4, energy suppliers fund heating and insulation improvements in homes that meet specific criteria. The scheme runs until 31 December 2026 (Ofgem, ECO4 guidance). Eligible measures can include replacing an old boiler, and the removal of the back boiler would form part of that work.

Eligibility is not automatic. Key factors include:

Benefits: the household must usually receive a qualifying benefit such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit or income-related ESA. Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit ended on 5 April 2025 and are no longer qualifying benefits.
EPC rating: the property generally needs a low energy rating. For private rented homes, GOV.UK specifies EPC E, F or G.
ECO4 Flex: some councils refer households that do not receive qualifying benefits but meet local vulnerability or low-income criteria. This is a referral route, not guaranteed funding.
Tenure: owner-occupiers and private tenants may qualify. Social housing has separate rules.

There is no fixed entitlement based on boiler age alone, and no guaranteed whole-house grant amount. An installer assesses the property and proposes measures that the energy supplier then agrees to fund.

For more detail on boiler-specific grant routes, see our boiler grants guide.

Warm Homes Local Grant

The Warm Homes Local Grant is a second route, available in England only.

This scheme funds energy efficiency improvements for owner-occupiers (and in some cases private landlords, who may need to contribute) in homes rated EPC D to G. Household income must usually be at most £36,000, although qualifying benefits or living in certain postcodes can provide alternative routes (GOV.UK, Warm Homes Local Grant).

A national application portal exists at GOV.UK. After applying, a council-arranged survey determines which improvements are appropriate and what funding is available. The council and available budget determine the specific measures offered, so a suitable low-carbon heating replacement may be possible. The scheme does not fund a new gas or oil boiler. Confirm whether safe removal or decommissioning of the old appliance is included in the agreed work.

Funding delivery for the Warm Homes Local Grant runs to March 2028. For a full explanation of the scheme, see our Warm Homes Local Grant guide.

BUS: Switching to a Heat Pump Instead

If you want to replace a back boiler with a heat pump rather than another gas boiler, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme may help.

BUS provides £7,500 toward an air-to-water or ground-source heat pump in England and Wales. Off-gas-grid properties replacing oil or LPG heating can receive £9,000 (available until March 2027). The grant is paid to an MCS-certified installer, who deducts it from your quote (GOV.UK, BUS grant categories).

BUS eligibility requires property ownership, an eligible existing heating system being replaced, and an MCS-certified installer. Most new builds and social housing are excluded. BUS no longer requires outstanding loft or cavity wall insulation recommendations to be completed before applying, although insulating first can still improve heat pump performance.

BUS funding is confirmed through fiscal year 2029/30 under the Warm Homes Plan. For a full breakdown, see our Boiler Upgrade Scheme guide.

Illustrative cost example

The following is a hypothetical budgeting example, not a market quote. Actual costs depend on the property, system chosen and installer.

Item	Assumed cost	Notes
Back boiler removal and making good the fireplace	£800 to £1,500	Varies with access and whether the chimney breast is retained
New condensing combi boiler supply and installation	£2,500 to £4,000	Hypothetical range; pipework alterations add cost
Total without grant	£3,300 to £5,500	Illustrative only
ECO4 funded replacement	Potentially £0	If the household and property qualify, the full cost may be covered

These figures are illustrative assumptions for budgeting purposes only. They are not based on surveyed market data. Switching to a heat pump involves higher upfront costs but the BUS grant offsets a significant portion.

What Happens During the Replacement

The work involves several stages, and duration depends on the property.

Gas work, including disconnecting a gas back boiler, needs an appropriately qualified Gas Safe registered engineer. MCS certification for a heat pump does not by itself authorise gas work. Other fuels also need suitably qualified specialists. The main steps are:

Draining the system and disconnecting the back boiler from the gas supply, flue and pipework.
Removing the back boiler unit from behind the fireplace. This may involve removing the fire surround and hearth.
Making good the opening. The space can be bricked up, fitted with a decorative fireplace or left as an alcove. If the chimney is no longer needed, it should be properly ventilated and capped.
Installing the new boiler or heat pump in its chosen location, connecting to existing radiators and hot water pipework.
Commissioning and testing the new system, including a gas safety check or heat pump commissioning certificate.

Under ECO4, the installer handles the full process. Under BUS, the MCS installer manages the heat pump installation; back boiler removal would be part of the agreed scope of work.

How to Apply

Start by checking which route fits your circumstances.

ECO4: contact your energy supplier or use an eligibility checker to see whether your household and property may qualify. Your council may also refer you through ECO4 Flex.
Warm Homes Local Grant: apply through the GOV.UK portal. A survey follows to assess your home.
BUS: find an MCS-certified installer who will apply for the voucher on your behalf. The installation must be commissioned within 120 days of applying.

Scotland has separate energy efficiency support programmes; exclusion from BUS (which covers England and Wales) does not mean there is no Scottish funding.

You can check possible routes for your home using our eligibility checker. The checker indicates which schemes you may qualify for based on your answers; an installer or council then confirms eligibility and available measures.