Boiler and Heating Grants: What Is Open in Each UK Nation
Last checked November 2026. Offers and rules change: confirm with the provider before you rely on them.
There is no single "free boiler scheme" for pensioners. Help with heating comes from several separate schemes that differ in each nation of the UK: some are grants towards a heat pump for any homeowner, and others pay for heating and insulation in full for people on a low income or certain benefits.
Before you start
England and Wales: Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a government grant towards replacing a fossil fuel heating system (gas, oil, LPG or direct electric) with a low-carbon one. Despite the name, it does not pay for a new gas boiler. It is not means-tested: your age, income and benefits do not matter.
At the time of writing (November 2026), GOV.UK lists these grants:
| System | Grant |
|---|---|
| Air source heat pump (heats radiators and hot water) | £7,500 |
| Ground source heat pump | £7,500 |
| Biomass boiler (rural homes off the gas grid only) | £5,000 |
| Air-to-air heat pump (blows warm air; does not heat water) | £2,500 |
You must own the property. Social housing and most new-build homes are excluded. You do not apply yourself: you choose an installer certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), the installer applies for the grant and takes it off your bill, and you confirm to Ofgem, which runs the scheme, that you agreed to it. The grant covers part of the cost only, so get at least three quotes, and ask each installer for a written estimate of running costs in your home, not just the price of the equipment.
England: Warm Homes: Local Grant
The Warm Homes: Local Grant is run by councils in England for privately owned homes, whether you own yours or rent from a private landlord. GOV.UK says the home must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D to G and that household income should usually be £36,000 a year or less, though you may still qualify above that if you receive certain benefits or live in certain postcode areas.
If you are eligible and your council has funding, it arranges a survey and then organises and pays for the agreed work. That may include insulation, an air source heat pump, smart heating controls or solar panels. There is nothing for you to pay, although a landlord may have to contribute. You can apply online on GOV.UK or by phoning the government helpline on 0800 098 7950.
Great Britain: Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
Under ECO, larger energy suppliers have paid for heating and insulation in the homes of people on benefits such as Pension Credit, where the home has a poor energy rating. GOV.UK states that the scheme is closing on 31 December 2026, so there is very little time left and many installers have stopped taking new cases. If you think you qualify, ring your energy supplier now and ask whether it is still accepting applications. Do not pay anyone a fee to "secure a place".
Scotland
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme does not cover Scotland. Instead, ring Home Energy Scotland free on 0808 808 2282. It is funded by the Scottish Government and is the single way in to two schemes:
- Warmer Homes Scotland — heating and insulation, usually paid for in full, for homeowners and private tenants who have lived in the home for at least six months and meet the conditions. These include a household member receiving a qualifying benefit such as the guarantee part of Pension Credit, or someone aged 75 or over who has no working heating.
- Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan — open to homeowners whether or not they are on benefits. At the time of writing it offers a grant of up to £7,500 towards a heat pump, with an optional interest-free loan on top and an extra amount for rural and island homes. Funding is first come, first served.
Wales
Homeowners in Wales can use the Boiler Upgrade Scheme above. In addition, the Welsh Government's Nest scheme gives free, impartial energy advice to anyone, and may provide free improvements, such as a heat pump, insulation or solar panels, to eligible lower-income households in homes that are hard to heat. If you have no working heating or hot water, Nest may be able to repair or replace a boiler or storage heaters. Ring Nest free on 0808 808 2244. See also over-60s in Wales.
Northern Ireland
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme does not cover Northern Ireland. Help for lower-income owner-occupiers and private tenants has been provided through the Affordable Warmth Scheme, delivered by councils and the Housing Executive, and the Department for Communities has said it plans to replace this with a new Warm Healthy Homes Fund from April 2027. Because the arrangements are changing, we do not list rules or amounts here. Ring the Housing Executive's NI Energy Advice line free on 0800 111 4455 to find out what is open to you today. See also over-60s in Northern Ireland.
Common questions
Can I get a free gas boiler because I am over 60?
Not on age alone. The schemes that pay for heating in full are based on income, benefits and the state of the home, and most now favour insulation and low-carbon heating over new gas boilers.
I rent privately. Can I apply?
For several schemes, yes, with your landlord's permission. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is for property owners, so your landlord would need to apply.
Where can I get impartial advice?
In England and Wales, start with the GOV.UK page on improving your home's energy efficiency, or the helpline on 0800 098 7950. In Scotland ring Home Energy Scotland, and in Northern Ireland the NI Energy Advice line.