In the UK, free heating grants are available through various government-backed schemes designed to improve home energy efficiency and support households in reducing their heating costs.

These grants are aimed at helping low-income households, those living in energy-inefficient homes, and individuals receiving certain government benefits. To qualify for free heating grants in the UK, individuals must meet specific criteria outlined by various schemes:

The UK government offers free first-time central heating grants through the ECO4 Scheme, targeting low-income households.

Homeowners or private tenants receiving qualifying benefits can access grants for boiler replacements, central heating installations, and more.

Eligibility criteria:

If you receive any of the following benefits, you could be eligible for ECO4 funding:

• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income Support (IS)
• Universal Credit (UC)
• Housing Benefit
• Working Tax Credit (WTC)
• Child Tax Credits (CTC)
• Pension Credit Guarantee
• Pension Credit Savings Credit

The Child Benefit income threshold to qualify for ECO4 varies depending on how many children you have and whether you’re a single or two-parent household.

Single-parent households:

• One child – £19,900
• Two children – £24,800
• Three children – £29,600
• Four or more children – £34,500

Two-parent households:

• One child – £27,500
• Two children – £32,300
• Three children – £37,200
• Four or more children – £42,000

Individuals with health conditions exacerbated by living in cold homes, such as cardiovascular or respiratory conditions, disabilities, mental health issues, or being elderly or having young children, may also qualify for grants.

If your total household income (before tax) is less than £31,000 per annum, you could be eligible for a grant under the ECO4 Flex Scheme.

This income-based route to eligibility requires evidence of household income like bank statements, payslips, or tax returns to apply for the grant.

To qualify for an ECO grant during the ECO4 phase of funding, your property must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F, or G if you own your home.

For rented properties from private landlords or housing associations, an EPC rating of E, F, or G is required to be eligible for a grant.

Individuals considered vulnerable due to debts, age, having young family members, or other factors can access funding if they meet specific conditions like receiving Council Tax rebate or living in designated areas.

HUG 2 provides grants from an allocation of up to £700 million, with funding being delivered from early 2023 to 2025.

The scheme aims to improve energy efficiency, reduce fuel poverty, and contribute to the UK’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

To be eligible for heating grants under the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) Scheme in the UK, individuals must meet specific criteria as outlined by the scheme:

Properties eligible for HUG 2 funding must be domestic off-gas grid dwellings with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of band D or lower.

Eligible households for the scheme must either have a combined gross annual income of under £31,000 or be located in economically deprived neighborhoods based on data from the Indices of Multiple Deprivation 2019.

Homeowners who are on a low income, live off the main gas grid, and have an EPC rating ranging from D to G could receive a home upgrade grant under the HUG Scheme.

Private rented sector dwellings are also eligible, but landlords with a portfolio of four properties or fewer must contribute one third of the total cost of any upgrades.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), which will run until 2028, is a UK Government program. It helps by giving money upfront for the installation of heat pumps and biomass boilers in homes and buildings in England and Wales. This is to help reduce carbon emissions from heating.

To be eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) in the UK, you must meet the following criteria:

Property ownership: You must own the property you’re applying for, which can include a business, a second home, or a property you rent out to tenants.

Installation date: The new heating system must have been installed (or you plan to install it) on or after 1 April 2022.

Replacement of fossil fuel systems: You must be replacing fossil fuel heating systems, such as oil, gas, or electric heating systems.

Energy performance certificate (EPC): Your property must have a valid EPC with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation. If your property has recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation, you must address these before applying unless installing such insulation would be unlawful or there are other exemptions.

Biomass boilers: You can get a grant for a biomass boiler if your property is off the gas grid, in a rural location, and the boiler has an emissions certificate showing that polluting emissions are kept to a minimum. Biomass boilers are not eligible for grants in new build properties or self-builds.

Exclusions: You cannot get a grant for most new build properties, social housing, or properties that have already received government funding or support for a heat pump or biomass boiler.

Grant amounts: The scheme offers £7,500 off the cost and installation of an air source heat pump, £7,500 off the cost and installation of a ground source heat pump, and £5,000 off the cost and installation of a biomass boiler.

VAT reduction: From 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2027, there is 0% VAT on the installation of energy-saving materials including heat pumps and biomass boilersc

To be eligible for the Great British Insulation Scheme in the UK, individuals must meet specific criteria based on their income, property type, and energy efficiency needs. Here are the key eligibility requirements for the scheme:

Eligibility:

Property type: Residents must live in a home within council tax bands A to D in England or A to E in Scotland and Wales, with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D to G.

Ownership: Homeowners or tenants (including private renters) can apply for the scheme. Tenants need permission from their landlord before proceeding with insulation installations.

Contribution: Participants may be required to contribute a small amount towards the installation costs, typically around 10% of the total cost.

Qualifying benefits: Individuals must receive specific benefits such as Child Benefit, Pension Guarantee Credit, Tax Credits, Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, or Pension Credit Saving Credit.

Energy efficiency: Homes must have an EPC rating of D to G and be identified as least efficient in terms of energy performance.

Health conditions: Eligibility may extend to households where a member has severe health conditions like cardiovascular issues, respiratory diseases, limited mobility, or immunosuppression adversely affected by living in a cold home.

The Nest scheme in Wales, part of the Welsh Government Warm Homes program, offers free home energy efficiency improvements to eligible households. Here are the key eligibility criteria for the Nest scheme in Wales:

Means-tested benefit:

Households where someone is on a means-tested benefit or living with specific health conditions and on a low income may be eligible for funded home energy efficiency improvements.

Property type:

The property must be residential and not have been used for business purposes in the 12 months prior to the application.

Energy efficiency rating:

Homes rated D, E, F, or G for energy efficiency are considered for support under the scheme.

Ownership/rental:

Both homeowners and private tenants are eligible. Landlord permission is required for rented properties, and landlords must be registered with Rent Smart Wales.

Previous benefits:

Properties that have already benefited from free home energy efficiency improvements under the Welsh Government Warm Homes program are not eligible for further improvements at the same property.

The Nest scheme aims to lower energy bills, reduce carbon footprints, and improve health and wellbeing by providing funding for energy efficiency improvements to low-income households and those in deprived communities across Wales. The scheme supports the Welsh Government’s goals of reducing climate change, eradicating fuel poverty, and boosting economic development.