Do Free Boiler Grants Have Minimum Income Requirements?

Do Free Boiler Grants Have Minimum Income Requirements?

To support vulnerable households, meet energy efficiency standards, and alleviate fuel poverty, the UK government offers free boiler grants. These boiler grants are usually available for homeowners but private tenants and landlords are also entertained in some scenarios. Targeting low-income households helps cast the socioeconomic impact by improving energy efficiency and reducing energy costs. 


The main schemes that are currently serving the UK houses are the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). These schemes are part of the UK's net-zero policy of reducing carbon emissions and going towards green energy systems. 


However, to avail of these free boiler grants, you need to meet certain eligibility criteria, including the minimum income requirements. So, to see if you qualify for these grants, read this guide entirely. 


What Are Boiler Grants and How Do They Work?

Boiler grants are usually provided under different government-backed schemes and private initiatives to support low-income households. These schemes do not only provide boiler grants but they also provide central heating systems and other measures to keep your homes warm. Whether you need boiler replacements or heating upgrades, these schemes get you covered. 


These boiler schemes are providing significant economic relief for homeowners and contributing to the sustainability goals at the same time as well. However, among the main schemes currently active, ECO4 provides full subsidy on all types of heating measures while the BUS provides partial funding. While they both have different eligibility criteria, we will also cover some local authority grants for specific areas as well. So, let’s find out more about these schemes and their eligibility criteria. 


Income-Dependent Grant Schemes

Under the income-dependent grants, we have shortlisted two main grants: the Energy Company Obligation 4 and the Warm Homes Discount Scheme. 


Energy Company Obligation 4

ECO4 being the largest government scheme currently in existence in the country is funded by private energy companies, as specified in the name. ECO4 has the minimum income eligibility where your yearly household income needs to be below £31000 along with other eligibility criteria. This scheme also has a variant named ECO flex, which gives authority to local councils to tailor ECO4 rules to help those in most need so anyone in the country is not left behind. 


Eligibility Criteria:

To reduce your heating costs here are the criteria you need to meet to qualify for the ECO4 scheme:


Due to the strict criteria, accessibility is a major issue for vulnerable households. Plus, the lack of awareness of these schemes is also a big hurdle in the government being able to provide help to all low-income houses to bring them into social safety nets. 


Warm Home Discount Scheme

Although this scheme does not have a specific maximum income threshold like ECO4. However, there are some elements in the eligibility criteria that indirectly require a home to be low-income. This scheme also focuses on low-income households and covers the costs partially. The eligibility for this scheme is divided into two groups, the core group and the broad group.

 

Eligibility Criteria

Here are the conditions you need to meet to qualify for the warm home discount scheme if you are in the core group. 


The core group is automatically eligible and does not need to apply, instead, they will receive a notification from their energy supplier. 


While for the broad group, the eligibility is based on low income and high energy costs. The criteria include: 

This scheme, unlike ECO4, increases the accessibility of vulnerable houses to the grants and makes it easier for them to avail. 


Non-Income-Based Eligibility for Boiler Grants

Under this category, only the BUS scheme is being operated at a larger scale, the rest are local council-based schemes. Apart from boiler upgrades, these schemes also provide renewable energy sources such as heat pumps and biomass boilers. Let’s take a look at the BUS scheme and its eligibility criteria, without any income requirement. 


Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)

The BUS scheme focuses more on providing low-carbon footprint heating systems such as biomass boilers. Although this scheme does not have a minimum income criteria, here is the overview of the general criteria to qualify. 

If you meet this eligibility criterion, you should apply immediately and get your heating systems upgraded. 


Final Thoughts

To summarise these ideas, free boiler grants do not have minimum income requirements, instead, they are for vulnerable and low-income households. Yes, they do have eligibility criteria, but those are just to determine who needs these grants the most and is at the risk of fuel poverty. 



However, the government needs to run awareness programs and ease the application process to make it easier for UK households to avail of these eco 4 grants. This will help more eligible people qualify, reduce their energy bills, and be cosier in their homes.