Free Boilers for Pensioners, Do I Qualify?

Indeed, there are boiler grants for pensioners. However, the government has instituted new guidelines that have made them more difficult to acquire.

Ideally, you’ll want to own a home or rent a house privately to qualify for the government scheme. Also, you should be receiving Pension Credit and be over 60 years old.

Continue reading for more on free boilers for pensioners. Additionally, we’ll also touch on other supplements that will help you save more money.

Free boilers grants for pensioners were introduced to help them replace broken down and inefficient boilers. Generally, your boiler will qualify for the scheme if it’s at least over 8 years old.

Free boilers for pensioners requirements

• Your old boiler should be over 8 years old.
• Be a resident of your own home or living in a privately rented property.
• You should be receiving some form of Pension Guaranteed Credit.
• Be a pensioner who is at least 60 years old and above.
• Be living in England, Scotland, or North Ireland (Keep in mind that some grants are location specific. We’ll discuss more details later in the article).

There are two main options available for you

• The ECO Scheme operating in England, Scotland, and Wales.
• The Age Concern Boiler Replacement Grant operating in North Ireland.

The Energy Company Obligation Scheme (ECO Scheme)

The government introduced the ECO Scheme some time back in 2017. It has been around since. Basically, the scheme brought together some of the county’s leading boiler suppliers and installers often referred to as the “Big Six.” They purposely established the ECO Scheme to help the financially constrained in society like pensioners. Consequently, the targeted homeowners will get new energy-efficient boilers that will help them keep their houses warm, save money, and reduce their carbon emissions.

Most people assume that the ECO scheme only caters for boiler replacement and installations. That’s a myth. You can also qualify for free boiler repairs and property insulation.

Are interested in more information about free property insulation? We advise you to take a look at the insulation segment of the ECO Scheme. Additionally, it will also help if you searched for more on the Carbon Emissions Reduction Obligation.

Likewise, if you want to know more about boiler grants, you should look at the Home Heating Cost Reduction Obligation (HHCRO) section of the ECO Scheme.

Nonetheless, there is an important piece of information we want to put across. Even though you might qualify for the ECO Scheme, it doesn’t automatically mean you’ll get the full boiler grant. Over the years, we’ve seen more people acquire grants that partially account for the replacement costs. Either way, that’s still a win.

Qualifications

Sure, Pension Guarantee Credit is acceptable. However, it’s not the end for those who aren’t receiving it. You’ll still qualify if you receive one of the following:

• Employment Support Allowance.
• Job Seekers Allowance.
• Regular income support.
• Tax Credits. However, take note that there are dictating conditions depending on your household’s income levels.
• Universal Credit. Just like Tax Credits, there are conditions.

Take note that you may not qualify if you only receive Savings Credit.

The government will replace gas, oil, and LPG boilers over 8 years old, broken, or inefficient.

No, you’ll not qualify for the scheme if you’re accommodated in social housing. You’ll have to own the home or rent a private property.

Who pays for the boiler replacement and installation costs?

For a small to medium-sized house, boiler gas replacement will cost around £2,300. Take note the amount only accounts for the boiler’s cost and instalment. In some cases, the installers might deem it necessary to make some repairs and upgrades.

As mentioned earlier, the ECO Scheme was funded by the “Big Six” boiler suppliers and installers in the country. It’s a scheme that seeks to help lower-income households keep warm and catch up with the government’s energy targets.

Additionally, we also said that 100% financing isn’t guaranteed. You might have to contribute some amount for the boiler replacement. You should also take note that the ECO Scheme only caters to boiler replacements. All other additional updates and repairs are up to you. For example, if your central heating unit needs updating. You’ll pay for that separately.

That being said, that doesn’t mean you are tied down once you’ve applied for the boiler grant. After inspecting your property, if the technicians ask for extra repairs, you are free to opt-out of the program. Everything is straightforward, and you’ll not be rudely bombarded with extra costs.

How do I apply for the ECO Scheme boiler grant?

Different boiler suppliers and installers have varying application procedures. However, most of them will require you to enter your postal code on their website. Before you do so, make sure you research the company and find it to be trustworthy.

Also, before making the call, make sure you have the following documents within reach:

• All the necessary paperwork for your Pension Credit or Working Tax Credit.
• Documents that state your boiler’s make and model.
• If you are a private tenant, make sure you have your landlord’s contact details.

After submitting your postal code, the installation company will work on your application. Usually, they’ll have a customer care agent reach out to you within 24 to 48 hours. He or she will take you through the entire process. If you qualify and get accepted, they’ll send a Gas Safe engineer to your place.

Age Concern Free Boiler Replacement Scheme

The Age Concern Free Boiler Replacement Scheme is only available for those living in North Ireland. It’s somewhat similar to the ECO Scheme in that they both aim to help pensioners replace their broken or inefficient boilers. Nonetheless, there are some significant differences.

For example, the Age Concern Free Boiler Replacement Scheme doesn’t offer full boiler replacement. In fact, £1000 is the maximum amount that can be offered to a beneficiary.

Indeed, £1000 isn’t enough to pay for total boiler replacement plus installation costs. Nonetheless, it will help you repair or even replace your boiler if you intended to do so in the first place. Currently, over 18,000 people have benefited from the scheme and upgraded to more energy-efficient boilers.

Qualifications

• To qualify for a full £1000 grant, your household income should be less than £40,000.
• To qualify for a £700 grant, your household income should be less than £20,000.
• To qualify for a grant ranging from £400 to £500, your household income should be somewhere between £20,000 – £40,000.

The boiler requirements for the Age Concern Free Boiler Replacement Scheme are a bit more specific. For example, if you own an old gas boiler, your mains connection needs to be at least 15 years old.

As far as property is concerned, you may only apply if you own the house you are currently occupying.

Are you interested in other money-saving supplements? You can also apply for the Warm Home Discount and Cold Weather Payment schemes.

Energy Bill Supplements

There are government schemes designed to help you save money on boiler fuel costs. Fortunately, they help more than just pensioners.

Warm Home Discount

If you are a pensioner, you’ll be eligible if you receive Pension Guarantee Credit. It provides a fuel discount of up to £140 annually.

Cold Weather Repayment

This scheme specifically caters to the colder months of the year. It will help subsidize your boiler fuel cost by £25 for every 7 days of extreme cold weather.

Are interested? Visit the Government website for more about the Warm House Discount and Cold Weather Repayment schemes.

Will a boiler grant affect my winter fuel repayment supplements?

No. Boiler replacement grants will not negatively affect your fuel repayment supplements. As a matter of fact, you’ll save more money.

Once you’ve installed a modern energy-efficient gas boiler, you’ll be able to save up to £310 annually on heating costs. Therefore, your fuel supplements will help cover more of your heating expenses.

Conclusion

Free gas boiler grants are real. In summary, you need to be over 60 years old, have an old gas boiler, live in your own house or be an occupant of private rented property, and finally, you should also be receiving some form of Pension Guaranteed Credit.