Boiler Guides

Boiler grants

If you need a new boiler, or want to install some renewable energy products like solar panels or ground source heat pumps, but don’t think you’ll be able to afford it, don’t despair.

There are loads of grants and discounts available to help with everything from insulation, heating bills and even your boiler’s annual safety check.

• Warm Front
• Renewable energy grants
• Microgeneration grants
• Priority Services Register
• Winter Fuel Payments
• Energy supplier finance
• Search for grants

Warm Front

The Government is keen to encourage people to replace their old, inefficient boilers in favour of new, A-grade boilers that will not only help to cut the UK’s rising energy bills, but will also give off fewer CO2 emissions.

Warm Front grants are available to both homeowners and people renting from private landlords who would otherwise struggle to replace their old heating systems or have their home insulated. Those that qualify can get up to £3,500 towards a new boiler, improvements to their heating system or insulation to make their home more energy efficient. This goes up to £6,000 if you have an oil-fired heating system.

To qualify you must be 60 or over, have a disability or long-term ill health or a child under 16 years old and be in receipt of certain benefits.

To find out if you can get a grant, simply visit the Warm Front website or read our guide to heating grants.

Renewable energy grants

If you’re thinking of installing some renewable energy products such as solar panels, ground source heat pumps, a biomass heater or even a small wind turbine, you might be able to get a grant from your energy provider.

All of the major energy providers offer these types of products - and grants to go with them - and you don’t have to take your gas and electricity from them to qualify, so check out their latest offers online, or call your local installer for more information.

Microgeneration grants

The government’s Low Carbon Building Programme has been extended until June 2010 for homeowners, so if you like the idea of generating your own energy at home using renewable sources, apply for a microgeneration grant of up to £2,500 from the Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform.

Priority Services Register

Your boiler’s annual safety check is essential to keep you safe in your home, as well as keeping down the cost of your heating bills. But according to Corgi, it costs between £60 and £90 each time. If you’re worried that you won’t be able to afford this, check the Energy Saving Trust website to see if you qualify for a free service under the Priority Services Register scheme.

Winter Fuel Payments

The government’s Winter Fuel Payments plan is aimed at reducing fuel poverty in people aged over 60.

Last year, anyone aged between 60 and 79, and entitled to receive a Winter Fuel Payment, got a tax-free payment of either £125 or £250, depending on their circumstances in the qualifying week of 15 to 21 September 2008.

Those aged 80 or over and entitled to a Payment, got either £200 or £400, depending on their circumstances in the qualifying week.

The Government will again be making Winter Fuel Payments to most people aged 60 or over for winter 2009/10. Further information will be available on this site from July 2009.

Energy supplier finance

Most energy suppliers offer finance plans to help cover the cost of a new boiler or upgrades to your central heating system, but even if you’re struggling to get the cash together, don’t be tempted to use them.

They charge extremely high interest rates - around 30% in most cases - and you would be far better off getting a credit card that has an interest-free purchases offer or a low rate bank loan.

Search for grants

The Energy Saving Trust website offers a search mechanism so that you can find out exactly which grants are available in your postcode and for your home and circumstances. Visit the website and search for grants.

Unfortunately some of the grants listed above are no longer running. To see an up-to-date list of all the boiler grants available visit the Energy Saving Trust