BOILERS GUIDE
Boiler Grants UK 2026: ECO4, BUS and the Non-Benefits Route
Two government boiler grants run in 2026.
Check eligibilityLast updated May 2026
Two government boiler grants run in 2026.
Answer a few quick questions to see which government energy grants you're eligible for. Free, instant results.
Two government-funded boiler grants run in 2026: ECO4 for benefits-eligible households and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for heat pump switches. See our guide on oil combi boiler grants for more detail. See our guide on new boiler quote for more detail.
ECO4 and BUS together have funded over 950,000 home energy upgrades since 2022. See our guide on electric combi boiler alternative for more detail. See our guide on complete energy efficient homes grants overview for more detail. See our guide on heat pump quote for more detail.
875,000
homes upgraded through ECO4 since 2022
Source: Ofgem
80,000
heat pumps installed through BUS
Source: Nesta analysis
ECO4 is means-tested, funds a like-for-like boiler replacement, and runs until December 2026. BUS has no income test, funds a switch away from gas, and runs until 2028.
A third option, Warm Homes: Local Grant, is council-administered and varies by area. It typically covers heating upgrades for low-income households, but eligibility and grant amounts differ from one council to the next.
Here's how the three compare at a glance:
| Scheme | What it pays | Who qualifies | Runs until |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECO4 | Full cost of a new boiler | Households on qualifying benefits, EPC D-G | Dec 2026 |
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme | £7,500 off ASHP/GSHP; £5,000 off biomass; £2,500 off air-to-air | England & Wales, valid EPC | 2028 |
| Warm Homes: Local Grant | Varies (typically £5,000-£15,000) | Council-set criteria, usually low income or fuel poor | Dec 2028 |
The eligibility checker runs your details against ECO4, BUS and your council's local scheme in 2 minutes.
ECO4 funds a free boiler replacement if you receive qualifying benefits and your home has an EPC rating of D, E, F or G.
Qualifying benefits
Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, Income Support, Income-based JSA, Income-related ESA and Housing Benefit all count. Only one household member needs to claim.
EPC band D, E, F or G
Homes already at band C or above don't qualify. If you don't have a current EPC, the assessor can produce one before applying. Our guide to improving your EPC rating covers what changes the band.
An inefficient existing boiler
Generally non-condensing models, anything over 15 years old, or broken units. Modern condensing boilers under 10 years old usually don't qualify for replacement.
Owner-occupied or privately rented
Landlord consent is required for rentals, but tenants on benefits can trigger the upgrade.
ECO4 Flex is the route most homeowners miss.
If you don't claim benefits but think your household income might still be low enough to qualify, ECO4 Flex is the council-administered route. Each local authority sets its own income threshold, typically around £31,000 to £35,000 combined household income, with additional factors like a child under five or someone with a long-term health condition. Our ECO4 scheme guide covers Flex in detail.
The scheme is operated by the major energy suppliers under Ofgem's ECO4 regulations. You don't choose your supplier, the installer chooses based on who has capacity in your area at the time.
The BUS gives £7,500 off an air source or ground source heat pump, £5,000 off a biomass boiler, or £2,500 off an air-to-air heat pump, with no income test.
The scheme is England and Wales only, runs until 2028, and the installer applies on your behalf so there's no application paperwork at your end.
A valid EPC
Less than 10 years old.
No outstanding insulation recommendations
This is the one that catches people. If your EPC lists missing cavity wall or loft insulation as a recommended upgrade, that needs sorting before BUS approves the heat pump. The reasoning: pumping heat into a leaky home wastes money.
Owner-occupied or privately let
Landlords can apply for their own properties.
What BUS funds:
What BUS doesn't fund: like-for-like gas boiler replacements or hybrid fossil fuel systems.
Full scheme details are in our Boiler Upgrade Scheme guide, and you can verify current grant amounts on the Ofgem Boiler Upgrade Scheme page.
Yes, in three ways: BUS has no income test, ECO4 Flex runs via your council and local Warm Homes schemes apply in some areas.
Each route has different terms.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Anyone with a valid EPC can apply, regardless of income. The catch is what BUS funds: only heat pumps and biomass. If you want to stay on gas, BUS won't help.
ECO4 Flex. Councils run this alongside ECO4 for households who don't claim benefits but earn under a local income threshold, usually around £31,000 to £35,000 combined. Some councils add extra criteria like a child under five, a household member with a long-term illness, or a disabled occupant. Each council publishes its Statement of Intent listing what it accepts. Worth contacting your council directly because the criteria aren't always prominent online.
Warm Homes: Local Grant. Council-administered fund covering insulation and heating upgrades for fuel-poor and low-income households. Amounts vary from £5,000 to over £15,000 per property. We've covered the scheme structure in our Warm Homes Local Grant guide, and the official terms are on .
BUS pays £7,500 directly to the installer. Your out-of-pocket cost: around £5,500, with variation depending on property-specific factors like radiator upgrades, hot water cylinders and electrical work.
No grant (private purchase): A new combi boiler installed runs £2,000 to £4,500. System and regular boilers with separate cylinders run £4,000 to £6,500. The variation is driven by brand (Worcester Bosch and Vaillant cost more than ATAG or Ideal at the same kW rating), kW output and existing pipework condition.
Here's what most guides won't tell you about ECO4 specifically.
The £0 figure is real, but it only applies to the boiler swap itself, not extras like additional radiators if your installer recommends them. And the installer choice isn't yours: ECO4 routes you to whoever has supplier capacity locally, so quality varies more than with a private install.
Start with the eligibility checker, it runs through both schemes in two minutes and routes you to an approved installer.
Test benefits status, EPC band, property type and postcode-level scheme availability.
ECO4 and BUS both require a current EPC less than 10 years old.
ECO4: supplier assigns one. BUS: choose MCS-certified installers who handle paperwork.
ECO4 approves in 2-4 weeks. BUS runs 8-12 weeks due to heat loss calculations.
If you're a landlord, the process runs through you rather than your tenant, but tenants on qualifying benefits can trigger the ECO4 eligibility. We've covered the specifics in our landlord EPC requirements guide.
Common questions
Manufacturer finance and 0% deals. Most major boiler manufacturers offer 0% finance over 24-60 months through their installer networks. It doesn't reduce the cost, but it avoids a single lump sum.
If you've worked through the options and nothing applies, the new combi cost range below tells you what to expect.
ECO4 covers a new boiler in full. BUS leaves you paying around £5,500 toward the heat pump after the grant.
Realistic 2026 figures:
ECO4 (free boiler scheme): £0 out of pocket. The energy supplier funds 100% of the cost including installation, removal of the old unit, system flush and any required pipework. No application fee.