The UK government has set up a free boiler scheme, with the aim of reducing the country’s carbon footprint and tackling fuel poverty. Under the Affordable Warmth Obligation, households that cannot afford to purchase a new gas boiler will be provided one for free. This scheme means that all households in Britain should have an energy efficient boiler, whether or not they can afford it.
What are the Energy Companies Obligations (ECO)?
The UK Government has set targets for energy companies to meet in order to reduce the amount of carbon emissions they are producing. ECO is one of the ways companies can meet these targets. The ECO scheme obliges energy companies to help households with low incomes, or those who are struggling to keep their homes warm, by providing them with affordable warmth measures. Under the energy companies obligations agreement, energy companies are obliged to provide UK homeowners with measures to use less energy.
The most recent phase of the ECO will last until March 2022. This latest phase will give people who missed out on the first two initiatives the opportunity to benefit from this policy. The current phase is limited to only provide household with gas boilers, unlike the previous phases that also provided oil boilers, LPG boilers and electric heaters.
Who’s eligible for a free boiler?
Funding is fairly limited for this scheme, and therefore the criteria for who is eligible is quite strict. Generally, you are likely to be eligible for the scheme if you receive the Warm Home Discount or are on certain type of benefits. These benefits include Child Benefit and Disability Allowance.
How to find out if you are eligible –
There are a few ways to find out if you are eligible for the scheme –
- Ask your energy supplier
- Contact the scheme operator –
- Simple Energy Advice (England and Wales) 0800 444 202
- Home Energy Scotland (Scotland) 0808 808 2282
What is the Affordable Warmth Obligation?
The main aim of the affordable warmth obligation is to tackle fuel poverty by helping vulnerable families lower their gas bill. It also seeks to reduce the UK’s carbon footprint by reducing the number of older boilers that are used in houses throughout the country. These older boilers are often incredibly inefficient, meaning they produce huge amounts of greenhouse gases and fail to heat homes sufficiently.
The Affordable Warmth Obligation is part of the ECO scheme, and is where you can get help with the cost of replacing or repairing your boiler.
Who’s eligible for the Affordable Warmth Obligation?
You are likely to be eligible if:
- You live in private housing (you own your house or rent from a private landlord) and receive a benefit such as Universal Credit, Disability Living Allowance or Child benefit
- You live in social housing that has an energy efficiency rating of E, F or G
The full list of eligibility is available on the UK Government’s Affordable Warmth Obligation page.
If you believe you might be eligible for a boiler through one of the UK government schemes you should look in to ASAP! Heating your home can be very expensive, and if it’s not being done efficiently you’re going to be wasting a lot of money. By getting help with a new boiler, you won’t only be helping your own pockets but also contributing to lowering fuel consumption.
Grant vs Worcester Bosch boilers
When applying for a boiler grant you will also need to consider the type of boiler you need.
For houses in the UK that are not connected to the UK’s gas network, which is around 4 million homes, oil boilers are a great option. Then other option available to these homes is LPG, however oil is much more energy efficient cost effective when it comes to powering your central heating system.
Grant and Worcester Bosch offer some of the best oil boilers money can buy in the UK. So they should for sure be at the top of your list to compare!
Shirley Mist has been involved in fashion and design for many years. She has also written extensively for many online publications. She currently writes for The Tribune World and is a valued member of our team.