If you receive Pension Credit or other qualifying benefits, you may be eligible for a free boiler replacement for pensioners.

The financial strain on pensioners across the UK is worsening. According to a recent report by Age UK, 4.1 million or one in three pensioners are less financially secure in 2025 than they were a year ago. Energy prices remain high, and inflation continues to drive up the cost of essentials, causing groups such as older renters, disabled pensioners, and those living on modest incomes to suffer the most.

Many have to cut back on heating or electricity for their homes due to rising living expenses. To make it worse, they live in properties with ageing boilers that waste energy and drive up running costs. Amid this pressure, government-backed schemes are offering a vital lifeline.

A free boiler replacement can mean the difference between a cold winter and a warm, safe home. These programmes aim to help vulnerable households stay warm through the winter while cutting energy costs and reducing carbon emissions.

But how do programs offering free boiler replacements for pensioners work, and are you eligible?

Key Takeaways on Free Boiler Replacement for Pensioners:

• A free boiler replacement for pensioners is available through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme.
• You can qualify if you’re a homeowner on a Pension Credit (an income-related benefit made up of Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit) or are aged 60 or older and receiving a Working Tax Credit.
• You can also qualify for a free boiler replacement for pensioners through ECO4 Flex if you don’t receive any benefits.
• The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) also allows you to access £5,000 off the cost of installing a biomass boiler.

Important note: if you are not a pensioner but are still interested in a boiler grant, you may be interested in other grant types. Check out our guide on oil boiler grants, storage heater grants, and boiler grants for landlords.

Is There A Free Boiler Replacement For Pensioners?

Yes. Government boiler replacement schemes aim to protect vulnerable households from cold, inefficient homes. The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) is currently the main national initiative providing free or heavily subsidised boilers for those on low incomes or state benefits. It operates by requiring large energy suppliers to fund home efficiency improvements, helping reduce both household bills and carbon emissions.

For pensioners, this support can make a critical difference. Many live in properties built decades ago, where outdated boilers consume far more gas than modern A-rated systems. By upgrading through ECO4, eligible pensioners can significantly reduce their heating costs while improving comfort and safety at home.

Another important route is LA Flex (Local Authority Flexible Eligibility). This allows local councils to assist residents who don’t receive benefits but are still struggling financially or have health conditions made worse by cold housing. Depending on where you live, the council may cover the full installation cost or part of it through partnerships with approved installers.

Together, these schemes aim to ease financial pressure, improve energy efficiency, and ensure that older adults can stay warm without sacrificing other essentials.

Why Are Pensioners Prioritised?

Across the UK, older adults are disproportionately affected by rising fuel prices and poorly insulated homes. Many pensioners spend a larger share of their income on heating than any other age group.

According to the  End Fuel Poverty Coalition, 3.2 million pensioner households are facing unaffordable energy costs, with around 964,000 households in deep fuel poverty, meaning they spend more than 20% of their income on energy. Outdated gas boilers can waste up to a third of the energy they consume, turning heating a home into a costly exercise rather than a comfort.

For those with long-term health conditions, living in a cold home can be dangerous. Conditions such as arthritis, respiratory illness, and circulatory problems often worsen when indoor temperatures drop below recommended levels.

To address this, government initiatives place pensioners at the top of their eligibility lists. The aim is to protect those who are both financially and physically at risk to reduce hospital admissions during winter, improve comfort, and lower national carbon emissions.

What Is The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) Scheme?

The Energy Companies Obligation Scheme is the most common government initiative. It was set up to help those needing financial assistance to replace their boilers.

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) requires big energy suppliers with over 150,000 domestic customer accounts to install energy-efficient heating measures in homes in Great Britain.

These measures help households warm their homes and reduce energy bills and carbon emissions.

The Government states that these large companies are responsible for ensuring that pensioners and low-income families can access heating and hot water.

This scheme allows pensioners to apply for a grant to replace their old or inefficient boiler for free, helping them reduce their heating bills in the long term.

The ECO scheme was launched in 2013 and delivered over 3.2 million measures in over 2.3 million homes. The fourth installment of the scheme, ECO4, has been running from 1 April 2022 and will continue until 31 March 2026.

Check out our video on how to vet boiler brands/models in the UK:

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Who Is Eligible for Free Boiler Replacement for Pensioners?

Unfortunately, the ECO4 scheme is not open to everyone, and you must meet certain criteria. These include:

• The applicant must be the property owner, e.g., not a landlord.
• The current boiler in the property must be at least 8 years old. If the boiler has a fault affecting its operation and efficiency or is broken, it can be 5 to 8 years old.
• The property must be connected to the main gas supply.
• The applicant must receive a qualifying benefit.

What Types Of Benefits Are Accepted?

A free boiler replacement for pensioners is available to homeowners or private renters, to whom either of the following applies:

• On Pension Credit (income-related benefit made up of Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit)
• Aged 60 plus and receiving Working Tax Credit

Other qualifying benefits include:

• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income Support (IS)
• Child Tax Credits (CTC)
• Universal Credit (UC)
• Housing Benefit (new eligible benefit under ECO4)
• Child Benefit – depending on income threshold

What Are The Income Thresholds?

To be entitled to the ECO grant funding for a new boiler under Child Benefits, you must also fall within any of the following income thresholds:

If you are claiming as a couple:

Number of Children	Income Threshold
One	£27,300
Two	£32,100
Three	£36,900
Four or More	£41,700

If you are a single parent claimant:

Number of Children	Income Threshold
One	£19,800
Two	£24,600
Three	£29,400
Four or More	£34,200

Qualifying for a Free Boiler Replacement for Pensioners Through ECO4 Flex

You can also qualify for a free boiler replacement for pensioners through ECO4 Flex if you don’t receive any of the above benefits.

LA Flex stands for Local Authority Flexible Eligibility, an extension of the core ECO4 scheme. It allows participating local authorities to refer private households living in fuel poverty or on low income and vulnerable to the effects of living in a cold home.

LA Flex aims to widen the net and reach households who may not be able to afford the costs of a new, efficient boiler.

With LA Flex, you can qualify for free funding to cover the costs of energy-saving measures like replacing inefficient or broken boilers.

According to Ofgem, suppliers can deliver up to 50% of their obligation under this mechanism.

How Do You Qualify Under LA Flex?

The LA Flex aims to help:

• Those in fuel poverty. This involves households spending at least 10% of their net income on heating the home.
• Those who are vulnerable and at risk during the cold weather.

You can qualify for LA Flex funding to pay for a new boiler through the following routes:

• Route 1 (Low household income): An annual household income under £31,000.
• Route 2 (Health): People with health issues exacerbated by living in a cold home. These include cardiovascular, respiratory, and mobility problems, and those with immune-suppressed conditions.
• Route 3 (Multi-proxy eligibility): A household in Energy bands E, F, or G and meeting any two of the following criteria:
• The home is in the LSOA 1-3 area.
• The householder receives a Council Tax rebate based on low income only.
• The householder is vulnerable to living in a cold home, as identified in the NICE Guidance.
• The Local Authority scheme, which aims to support vulnerable and low-income households, has referred the householder.
• Household members get free meals in school.
• The household struggles with sustained debt on mortgage payments and utility bills. The mortgage lender, the energy supplier, or Citizens Advice has advised the household to seek support from the local authority.

How Do You Apply for Free Boiler Replacement for Pensioners?

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply by contacting your current energy supplier or by following these steps:

Step 1: Visit the Free Boiler Scheme Application Website

The website FreeBoilerGrantsUK.com is responsible for receiving, reviewing, and approving applications for free boiler grants from the ECO Scheme. Just visit it to start the application process.

Some pensioners may find the process of applying online difficult. If you require help with applying, you can ask a family member, carer, or friend to apply on your behalf.

Step 2 – Fill out the Free Boiler Scheme Form

The application form will require information such as:

• Email address
• Phone number
• Household income
• Household health issues
• Post Code
• Type of Ownership
• Household benefits
• EPC rating of your property
• Details about your boiler
• Previous ECO funding

Ensure you’re as detailed and precise as possible. This will allow FreeBoilerGrantsUK.com to review and approve your application faster if you’re eligible to claim this grant.

After filling out all the required information, click “Submit” to send your application, and the team of specialists will review it.

Step 3 – Get Approved to Upgrade Your Boiler

You can expect to hear back from FreeBoilerGrantsUK.com in 24 hours or less, to discover if you can claim a grant to replace your boiler for free thanks to the ECO Scheme.

Once approved, you will get more details about the free funding and what you will obtain through the government initiative.

Step 4 – Set a Property Survey Date

Following the approval notice, you must set a date for the property survey.

This process is completely free, and it’s necessary to verify if your boiler needs replacement and what other upgrades will make your home more energy efficient, such as wall and loft insulation, solar panels, and storage heaters.

Ensure you’re available to give the assessor access to different areas and have your energy bills or any energy improvement records handy.

Step 5 – Get A Plan and Set an Installation Date

After conducting the property survey, you’ll receive a report outlining the energy efficiency improvements recommended for your home, which can include a boiler replacement.

The assessor will calculate the grant funding you can get and whether it covers the full cost of a boiler or the majority of the cost, and you can set up an installation date.

They’ll visit your home again to install your new boiler for free, along with other necessary upgrades such as insulation and storage heaters.

Got a common boiler problem? Check out our quick fix guide for boiler lockout, boiler ignition faults, boiler PCB faults, faulty diverter valves, and boiler timer issues.

Why Should You Consider A Free Boiler Replacement for Pensioners?

You must replace your boiler if it’s old, broken, or inefficient.

A broken boiler is useless and cannot heat your home or provide hot water. It can even be dangerous if the system is leaking gas or overheating.

It’s vital that if you notice any signs that your boiler is broken, you get it fixed or replaced immediately.

An efficient boiler will use the least energy possible to heat your home and hot water, saving you money on your heating bills.

Inefficient boilers will cost more to run and tend to be unreliable, leaving you vulnerable to tepid water and a cold home in the winter.

Boilers’ level of efficiency reduces heavily as they age. Most boilers will each have a rating that can indicate how efficient they are from A to G, with A being at least 90% efficient and G being less than 70% efficient.

Generally, boilers should be E or above, and it is now against the law to rent out a property with an F or G efficiency rating.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, replacing an old gas boiler with a new A-rated condensing boiler with a programmer, room thermostat, and thermostatic radiator controls (TRVs) can save from £130 to £500 annually based on July 2025 fuel prices.

Got a common boiler problem? Check out our quick fix guide for boiler lockout, ignition faults, PCB faults, faulty diverter valves, and boiler timer issues.

Which Other Free Boiler Schemes Are Available?

Apart from the ECO scheme, other boiler grants are available for which you may be eligible. These include:

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)

The BUS scheme provides upfront capital grants of up to £7,500 to encourage property owners to replace existing fossil fuel heating systems with low-carbon, more efficient heating systems.

It aims to support the installation of heat pumps and biomass boilers in homes and non-domestic buildings in England and Wales.

The scheme operates similarly to the Green Homes Grant Scheme. The government contributes a fixed sum to the upfront costs of low-carbon heating technologies, and you pay for the rest.

The scheme opened for grant applications on 23^rd May 2022 and will run up to 31 December 2027. Grants of £5,000 are available for biomass boilers and are offered at a flat rate.

You’ll also benefit from a 0% VAT rate on purchasing and installing low-carbon heating technologies.

Who Qualifies for A Boiler Grant Under BUS?

You can qualify for a new boiler grant under BUS if:

• You own the property you’re applying for, including a second home, business, or rental property.
• Your property is rural and not connected to the gas grid.
• Your property has no outstanding insulation recommendations and has a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Changes to the grant eligibility rules allow you to qualify even with recommendations from May 2024.
• You have an emissions certificate for your boiler showing that you keep polluting emissions to a minimum.
• You have a property with an installation capacity of up to 45kWth.

Do All Properties Qualify for A New Boiler Grant Under BUS?

No. Grants are not available under the scheme for:

• Properties already supported or funded by the government for a biomass boiler or heat pump.
• Social houses, like rentals or accommodations provided at a lower market value
• New build properties apart from particular self-builds. If you own a self-build property and wish to be eligible, you must have built it or paid a builder to do the job. You’ll need to provide proof that the property is self-built.

How Do You Apply for A Boiler Grant Under BUS?

BUS is an installer-led scheme, meaning you’ll need an installer to apply for the grant on your behalf.

Your installer will advise on the suitable heating system for your property, apply to Ofgem for a grant voucher, and complete the installation according to scheme requirements and industry standards.

Low-carbon heating systems installed, thoroughly checked, and commissioned by the installer on or after 1st April 2022 are eligible for funding under the scheme. The new heating system must:

• Replace an existing fossil fuel heating system, like an oil, gas, electric, or LPG boiler.
• Be capable of meeting your home’s whole space hot water and heating requirements.
• Meet specific technical standards like minimum efficiency requirements. The installer will advise you on these.

Home Energy Scotland

Home Energy Scotland offers grant funding, interest-free loans, or a combination of both to help homeowners and self-builders in Scotland install renewable systems like biomass boilers.

Upon proving that a heat pump is unsuitable for your property, you can access up to £15,000 in funding, which consists of a £7,500 grant plus an optional £7,500 loan.

The grant rises to £9,000 if you live in a rural or island home.

Does The Free Boiler Replacement for Pensioners Affect Winter Fuel Payments?

No. If you qualify for a free boiler replacement for pensioners, it will not affect your winter fuel payment.

The Winter Fuel Payment is a tax-free sum between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2025 to 2026. Anyone receiving a state pension who was born before 22 September 1959 is entitled to this payment.

If you qualify for a free boiler replacement, you’ll benefit from a more fuel-efficient boiler, so your winter fuel payment will stretch even further.

Have you heard about the gas boiler ban and are wondering what the alternatives to gas boilers are? Read our complete guide to replacing your gas boiler with a heat pump.

Final Thoughts on Free Boiler Replacement for Pensioners

If you’re struggling to heat your home due to an inefficient boiler or high energy costs, a free boiler replacement for pensioners can help!

The Government has introduced several schemes that aim to help pensioners replace their boilers, if not for free, at a heavily reduced price.

Whilst the requirements for a free replacement are quite stringent, other schemes are worth considering.

It is important to ensure that your boiler is efficient and heats your home effectively. This will reduce your heating bills, save you money, and make the system far more sustainable and long-lasting.

FAQs on Free Boiler Replacement for Pensioners

Do Pensioners Qualify For A New Boiler?

Yes. Pensioners aged 60 and above may qualify for a free or subsidised boiler under the ECO4 or LA Flex schemes. Eligibility depends on household income, benefit status, and the energy efficiency of the home. Those receiving Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance, or Housing Benefit are often automatically eligible.

Who Is Eligible For a Free Boiler Grant in the UK?

Households on low incomes or receiving qualifying benefits can apply for a free boiler grant through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4). Pensioners, single-parent families, and residents with health conditions made worse by cold homes are given priority. Applicants must usually live in properties with an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G and have an existing boiler that is at least eight years old or inefficient.

How Do I Qualify For A Replacement Boiler?

To qualify, applicants must meet income or benefit thresholds and live in an eligible property. Most pensioners qualify by providing:

• Proof of benefits or income below £31,000 per year
• EPC certificate showing a low-efficiency home
• Evidence that their boiler is old, broken, or non-condensing

Is The Free Boiler Scheme Real?

Yes. The free boiler scheme is part of the government’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO4), regulated by Ofgem. It is a legitimate initiative requiring large energy suppliers to fund home efficiency upgrades for low-income and vulnerable households. Always apply through TrustMark-registered installers and never pay upfront fees to ensure your application is genuine.

What Is The Average Price For A Replacement Boiler In The UK?

In 2025, the average cost of replacing a boiler in the UK ranges from £3,700, depending on the type, brand, and installation complexity. The ECO4 and LA Flex schemes can cover part or all of this cost for qualifying pensioners, making energy-efficient heating accessible without financial strain.

Sources and References

• Age UK – The Growing Financial Struggles of Pensioners in 2025
• End Fuel Poverty Coalition – MPs warned of hidden pensioner poverty as Winter Fuel Payment u-turn confirmed
• Ofgem – Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
• Home Energy Scotland – Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan
• Energy Saving Trust – Boiler types explained
• UK.GOV – Boiler Upgrade Scheme
• UK.GOV – Winter Fuel Payment