Many oil-fired boiler owners want to know if they can get a grant to help cover a new one. As the UK works to minimise carbon emissions, there are methods to get many government grants available, but they are more restrictive for oil than for gasoline.
Oil-Fired Boiler Grants in the UK: What’s Actually Available?
Oil boiler grants are schemes funded by the government or big energy companies designed to cover the cost of free boiler replacement or upgrading to new, high energy-efficiency, or low-carbon heating systems that will provide long-term heating.
Typically there are not any national grants that fund a new oil boiler replacement like gas boiler schemes. Most of the current government funding programmes are aimed at getting rid of fossil fuel boilers, like oil, while promoting cleaner technologies like:
- Air-source heat pumps
- Ground-source heat pumps
- Biomass boilers
Why Replace an Old Oil Boiler?
Oil boilers are considered one of the least efficient and most polluting types of heating systems that are unfortunately still used in most rural and off-grid homes in the UK. They cost more to operate and are less eco-friendly. Here are four major reasons why it’s beneficial to replace your oil boiler right now.
1. High fuel costs and low efficiency
Older boilers usually work at 60–70% efficiency, which causes a lot of fuel to be wasted because heat escapes through the chimney. Modern heating systems, like heat pumps and biomass boilers, can be 90% or even more efficient.
2. More carbon emissions
Oil is one of the heating fuels that releases the most carbon. When you burn it, it releases a lot of CO2 and dangerous particles into the air. Households can help the UK reach its net-zero carbon goal by transitioning to low-carbon alternatives like heat pumps or biomass boilers.
3. Phase-Out of Oil Boilers
The UK government has declared that by 2026, no new homes will be able to have oil boilers installed, and by 2035, all existing oil boilers will be taken out of service.
Eligibility Criteria for Oil Boiler Replacement Grants
Income & Benefits Criteria
If you receive any of the following benefits, you might be able to qualify:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
Household & Property Criteria
You can qualify for schemes like BUS even if you don’t get benefits if:
- Your property has an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G (we can check this for you).
- Your total household income is below £31,000 (before tax).
You’re part of any of these groups:- Elderly
- Disabled
- families with young children
- Your home currently uses expensive heating methods such as electric, LPG, oil, or solid fuel.
C. NHS Referral for Health Conditions
If living in a cold house makes your health worse, your doctor or the NHS Trust may tell you to get help from ECO4. This is applicable to the situation like
- Cardiovascular disease
- Respiratory issues (e.g., asthma, COPD)
- Limited mobility or chronic illness
- Immunosuppressed conditions
Not sure if you are eligible?
Some homes assume they don’t meet the requirements, although they actually do. Our specialists will look into all of your options to get you the money you need if you apply today.
ECO4 Scheme Eligibility
“100% Free Check – No Hidden Fees”
Available Grants to Replace Oil Boilers in the UK
There are a number of grants that can help you replace your old oil boiler with a more environmentally friendly one:
1. ECO4 Scheme (Energy Company Obligation)
The ECO4 grant is initiated to help low-income and rural families to make their homes more energy efficient. ECO4 is the UK’s primary free boiler scheme; it can cover the entire cost of replacing an old oil boiler with:
- Air-source heat pumps
- Ground-source heat pumps
- Biomass boilers
Key Benefits of ECO4:
- Covers up to 100% for eligible households
- Prioritises low-income homes that are in need and located off-grid
- Helps raise Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings from D, E, F, or G
- Includes both boiler installation and boiler upgrades
2. Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is one of the major government programmes that helps UK homeowners transition from fossil fuel heating systems like oil, gas, or LPG.
BUS is not centred on income; instead, it targets property owners that are looking to get an environmentally friendly heating solution.
The programme offers grants of up to £7,500 to help pay for the cost of installations.
Key Benefits of BUS:
- Available to all homeowners in England and Wales
- Encourages the use of renewable energy
- Helps minimise carbon emissions and make homes more efficient
- intends for the UK to have no net carbon emissions by 2050
3. Local Authority and Regional Grants
Many local councils in the UK provide regional energy-efficiency programmes to help households that use oil boilers, especially those that live in rural or off-gas areas.
These local programmes often work with government grants like the Energy Obligation Company or BUS and include:
- Grant for replacing high-carbon heating systems
- Better insulation for your home, like in the attic, walls, or cavities
- Help for families that are in need or cannot afford fuel
Some councils in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are offering support for a heat pump or biomass boiler.
Through The Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) programme Local Authority Delivery (LAD) helps rural authorities in England.
Why Local Grants Matter:
Local funding helps families who don’t qualify for UK government programmes but still need help upgrading their heating. But these programmes usually only last for a short time, so it’s a good idea to apply for the grant now. Sometimes LA Flex can offer boiler grants for disabled individuals who get qualifying benefits like personal independence payment (PIP).
How to Apply for an Oil Boiler Replacement Grant
Check Eligibility
- To check your eligibility, fill out a short form (name, email, postcode, and mobile number).
- After reviewing your information, we verify your qualification within a minute.
Submitting Application
- You only need to provide a few simple papers, such as proof of income or benefits, the age of your boiler, your EPC rating, and confirmation that you own or rent your property.
- Our team of professionals will fully help you in this process to make sure that everything is accurate to avoid delays or rejections.
Retrofit Test
- A certified professional will inspect your property to verify your heating system and property.
- This is to ensure that we choose the ideal type of boiler or heating replacement for you which will work efficiently.
Approval and Verification
- After assessing your application, you will be notified whether or not you qualify for a free boiler grant.
- If you get the grant, we’ll set up your installation right away and make sure you get it.
Installation
- Installation is done by certified engineers, who usually do it in 1 to 3 days.
- We follow all guidelines for regulation, so you face no hurdles.
Why CO2 Reduction?
CO2 reduction helps families to get government-funded free boiler grants with fewer hurdles. Our aim is to ensure that your new energy-efficient boiler is safe; nonetheless, we desire to be certain that your home can save on energy bills and lower carbon emissions for several years to come. When you choose us, you get a reliable partner who will help you save as much money as possible while also helping the UK move towards a greener, more sustainable future.
