Free Boilers For Pensioners With The ECO4 Scheme and Energy Company Obligation: What You Need to Know

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme is a UK government-backed initiative designed to help low-income and vulnerable households improve their homes’ energy efficiency.

For many pensioners, this can mean qualifying for a free boiler replacement, helping to reduce heating bills, improve comfort, and cut carbon emissions. The application process is streamlined and can be completed through a super easy online system.

In this guide, we explain who is eligible, what support is available, and how pensioners can apply for a free boiler through ECO4, so you can quickly understand whether you or a loved one could benefit from the scheme.

The application process is streamlined and can be completed through a super easy online system.

What is the Free Boiler Scheme?

The boiler scheme is part of the government’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO4), which was set up to help low-income households, including pensioners. The ECO4 free boiler grant replaces old boilers with energy-efficient new boilers that reduce carbon emissions and lower heating costs.

Your energy provider may be part of this programme, and it will fund free boiler replacements for eligible pensioners in England, Scotland and Wales. Installation is carried out by qualified Gas Safe-registered engineers.

Why Pensioners are a Key Audience

Many pensioners live in older homes with boilers that are more than 15 years old. These boilers are often G-rated and expensive to run. Ofgem says the average gas and electricity fuel bill for a typical two-to-three-bedroom home in 2025 is around £1,755 a year. This equates to about £146 a month or just under £34 a week.

Upgrading from an old, inefficient boiler to a modern, energy-efficient model can result in lower energy bills. With a new boiler, the Energy Savings Trust say you could save between £300 and £630 a year. This can make a real difference to pensioners on a fixed income.

Am I Eligible?

Not every pensioner will qualify for a free boiler replacement. This pension age benefit does depend on whether you meet certain criteria to qualify. including an assessment of your current heating system and existing boiler to determine if they meet the scheme's requirements:

Eligibility Checklist – Including Pension Credit

• You own your home, or you are a tenant
• You are 60 years of age or more
• The property’s EPC rating is D or below
• Your property should come under a council tax band from A to D or A to E in Scotland and Wales
• You receive at least one of the following benefits: Pension guarantee credit, Savings credit, Universal credit, Working tax credit, Housing benefit.
• Your boiler is inefficient or requires an expensive repair or replacement, and is 8 years old or more
• You live in England, Wales or Scotland

Benefits like Disability Living Allowance can also help you qualify for the scheme.

Pensioners who claim pension credit or claim working tax credits may be eligible for additional support or grants, even if they do not qualify for a free boiler directly.

Those with a health condition may be prioritised for the scheme to help ensure they stay warm and comfortable during colder months.

Age Concern Boiler Grant - A New Helping Hand

The Age Concern Boiler Grant is an excellent way for pensioners to get a free boiler replacement - a big help in cutting back their heating bills and making their home a warm & toasty place to be.

This grant is part of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme, which tries to make life a bit easier for low-income households, many of whom are Pension Credit claimants or have other means-tested benefits - people who really need a helping hand to make their homes a bit warmer and more energy efficient.

To qualify for the Age Concern Boiler Grant, you'll have to tick a few boxes. First, you'll need to be on Pension Credit or another benefit - we mean the real qualifying ones, not just any old benefit. Your boiler needs to be at least 10 years old and pretty rubbish at getting any decent heat out - is that your old boiler, you know the one that's always being a bit of a scunner?

And either you must own your home or be a private tenant. The people running the scheme are also committed to helping only those who need it, so they have a total household income limit in place. And the cherry on top is that you will have had to have been rejected for a boiler grant in the past, or maybe this is your first time trying to get one.

So, what are the benefits of the Age Concern Boiler Grant then? Well, for starters, if you qualify, you'll get a brand spanking new boiler - one that's got a serious energy efficiency rating - an easy 90% or higher.

That old, energy-sucking boiler you've got will be out, and you'll be left with a shiny new one that will not only save you up to £350 a year on your heating bills but also leave a nice, small footprint on the environment.

And it's not like you'll be splashing out a load of cash upfront either. The grant covers the lot, boiler installation, and no hidden charges or unpleasant financial surprises.

Getting an Age Concern Boiler Grant is simple. You can either do it online or contact your local authority and answer a few questions about your heating system, old boiler, and your financial situation.

If you qualify, they'll hook you up with a local company that meets UK government standards, and they'll do a free energy survey and then install your new boiler for free. It's a quick and easy process, and you'll be all sorted with a new heating system in just a few days.

But that's not all - if you're a pensioner, you might also be eligible for other bits of help like the Boiler Replacement Scheme or Local Authority Flexible Eligibility (LA Flex) scheme. These could give you a bit more financial assistance with heating system upgrades, or even help if you're getting Working Tax Credits or Child Tax Credit.

The Age Concern Boiler Grant is a great opportunity for pensioners to get a new boiler put in, cut back on their energy bills and make their home a nice and toasty place to live - whether you own your home or rent from someone. If you meet the criteria, just go online or get in touch with your local authority, and you'll have a decision within a few weeks.

And don't worry about the cost - there isn't one, and no sneaky hidden fees either. It's a straightforward way to optimise your heating system, reduce your carbon footprint, and save real money on your energy bills.

What Happens if I Qualify?

A certified surveyor will make an appointment for a free home visit to assess your insulation, energy efficiency rating and your boiler. Once your eligibility is confirmed, a Gas Safe-registered engineer will then arrange to replace your old boiler with a new A-rated model. This typically takes a day to install, and once it’s complete, you’ll receive the paperwork confirming the boiler's warranty.

From the time you apply to the boiler installation will take between 3 and 6 weeks. The timeline will depend on the energy company's workload with applications and installation work.

Savings and Value – What You Might Get

A new boiler without any financial support costs between £1,500 and £4,500 including installation.

Under the ECO4 scheme, all qualifying pensioners should get the cost of a new energy-efficient boiler and the installation free of charge, unless new pipework or system upgrades are needed, and then you might have to contribute a small amount.

An A-rated boiler will lower your energy bills with average savings of between £300 and £630 per year. Your home should also be warmer as a new boiler will work more efficiently. Plus, you’ll be helping to reduce your carbon footprint as modern boilers produce fewer gas emissions.

Limitations – Caveats and Tips

• Time - An important point to remember is that you need to apply soon. ECO4 only runs until March 2026.
• Eligibility - It is also important to know that not every pensioner will meet the criteria for a free gas boiler. Fill out the criteria questionnaire from your energy provider (if they are part of the ECO4 programme) to find out your eligibility.

If your energy provider isn’t part of the scheme, you can apply through another energy company. You don’t have to stay with your own supplier.

If you live in rented accommodation, you need permission from your landlord before you can have a boiler installed and some private rentals are excluded from the scheme.

Only deal with an accredited installer who is part of the official ECO4 scheme and has gas safe-registered engineers. It is easy to check that an engineer or a company in your area is on the gas safe register. Log in to the Gas Safe website and enter your postcode or the name of your town. Click search, and you will see a list of registered businesses.

How to Apply/Next Steps for Pensioners

Go to the website of any one of the heating companies offering free boilers for pensioners under the ECO4 scheme. You can find a list on the Ofgem website. Fill in their eligibility questions.

The energy company will then confirm if you meet the criteria and if you do a qualified assessor will visit you at home to review your application and go over your documents. The documents you’ll need to have prepared are:

• Benefit/s documents
• Proof of home ownership
• Your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
• Your council tax band information
• Your boiler’s installation certificate, if you have i,t or information as to the boiler's age

Once everything is confirmed, a Gas Safe-registered engineer will come to install your boiler, which will take around a day.

Final Thought

If you are a pensioner living with an old, unreliable boiler, you are probably paying more than you should to heat your home. A new boiler will make a real difference to your heating bills and your comfort.

Even if you’re not sure about eligibility, it is worth checking. You never know, in a matter of weeks, you could have a new gas boiler, a warmer, cosier home and hundreds of pounds shaved off your annual bill.