There are several hidden costs of the free boiler grants. The households need to pay them while the installation is going on. However, the homeowners can reduce them. In the following blog post, there is a detailed discussion about the free boiler grants, hidden costs, and the ways to reduce them. 

Which Grants Provide Free Boilers? 

Some most popular grants which provide free boilers are the following: 

Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) 

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) is a UK government scheme. In this scheme, the UK government collaborates with several energy companies to provide energy benefits to low-income households. The main objective of this scheme is to help low-income households in the following ways: 

• First of all, they will help them install free-of-cost energy-efficient heating systems. 
• Second, they will decrease their energy consumption, resulting in low energy bills.
• At the same time, they want to promote renewable heating systems and resources. These boilers release less carbon dioxide and result in low carbon emissions. 

The ECO4 scheme provides free boilers only to those households who fulfills their eligibility criteria. Some of the main eligibility factors of the ECO4 scheme are the following: 

• The households who are low-income are eligible. They should have an annual income of less than £31,000. 
• The properties of the households should have an EPC rating lower than D. It can be D, E, F, or G. 
• They can only get the new boilers if their boilers are a minimum of 8 years old.
• The households should benefit from the government benefits, such as the Universal Credit, income credit, jobseeker allowance, child credit, etc. 
• If the households are affected by the vulnerabilities, they can also become eligible for this scheme. 

Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) 

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is another government scheme which is providing free of cost boilers. They are specifically targeting the inefficient boilers in low-income households. These inefficient boilers consume more fuel and result in high energy bills. At the same time, it will produce more carbon emissions. 

That’s why they are providing heat pumps and boilers which consume renewable energy resources and result in minimum carbon emissions. The boiler replacements in the Boiler Upgrade Scheme are the following: 

• They provide £5000 for the installation of an Air Source Heat Pump. 
• In the case of the Ground Source Heat Pump, they provide £6000. 
• If they provide the biomass boilers, they provide £5000. 

To get these boilers for your home, you need to follow the steps given below: 

• First of all, confirm that you are eligible for the scheme. You can use the online eligibility checker or ask the customer service team of Boiler Upgrade Team. 
• Then, consult a certified Installer from a Microgeneration Certification Scheme. They will check your property and heating requirements. They will conduct this survey and send reports to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. 
• They will apply for this scheme on your behalf and submit all the documents on their online platform. 
• After approval, the same installer will start the installation of the respective boiler or heat pump. 

In this way, you can get a free boiler through these grants. 

Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) 

The Home Upgrade Grant is a comprehensive scheme in which they provide different heating improvements. They consider low-income households and help them improve the energy efficiency of their homes. The local authorities control these grants and consider the local heating requirements for this purpose. 

The Home Upgrade Scheme provides the following types of boilers: 

• Air Source Heat Pump 
• Ground Source Heat Pump 
• Biomass Boiler 
• Hybrid Heating Systems
• Electric Boilers 

They provide several other home improvements for eligible households. However, they confirm their eligibility before applying for this scheme. Some of the key eligibility factors for this scheme are the following: 

• This scheme provides free boilers only in England. 
• The homes which have an EPC rating lower than D are eligible for this scheme. These can be any of D, E, F, or G. 
• Any of the family members of the household should be the receiver of the eligible government benefits. 
• At the same time, they provide new boilers only to those households that have coal, oil, gas, fossil fuel, and electric boilers. 

Are there any Hidden Costs Associated with Free Boilers Grants?

Removal of the Old Boiler 

When households have old boilers, they need to remove them for the installation of new boilers. In some cases, the respective boiler scheme provides this scheme. However, when the scheme doesn’t provide any such service, the households need to remove their old boilers at their own expense. 

Additional Costs for Boiler Upgrades 

There are several additional boiler upgrades which are necessary for the proper installation of the boiler. The necessary boiler upgrades involve the following: 

• New radiators 
• Radiators valves 
• Smart heating controls 
• Magnetic filters 
• Insulation upgrades 
• Flue replacement 

Every free boiler scheme doesn’t cover these upgrades. That’s why households need to pay these expenses. 

Cost in Application Process 

The households need to pay all the expenses involved in the application process. 

• Fees of EPC rating assessment 
• Home survey fees 
• Administration fees 

Maintenance Costs 

The free boiler grants provide free-of-cost boilers. However, they need proper maintenance. These maintenance include the inspection, cleaning, repairing, and replacement of parts.

These practices are necessary to maintain the boiler for a long period. The homeowners need to pay for all things. 

Boiler Type Limitations 

The free boiler grants don’t provide all the types of boilers. There are limitations in their type. If you need a different boiler which is not present in their list of boilers.

At the same time, if this boiler is more expensive than their listed boilers. The household needs to pay for the extra cost of their desired boiler. 

Limited Funding 

There are several grants which provide a limited financial support. In such cases, the households need to pay for the extra charges in the installation process. 

How to Avoid the Hidden Costs of Free Boiler Grants?  

You can avoid these hidden and extra costs of the boiler grants by following the tips given below: 

• There are several grants for free boilers. Each provides different types of boilers and other heating benefits. You have to select the grant which provides your desired boiler.
• Do some extra research to screen the most appropriate grant for your home. 
• Take help from the experienced installers to guide you about the grants which can fulfill all your needs.