There are plenty of ways to keep yourself warm and comfortable in winter. The best you can do is to turn on the heating system and wait until the room turns warm. But one thing that would pinch you is a whopping high energy costs.
The problem is that an old heating system such as a boiler will increase your budget with hefty bills. It’s because they are highly inefficient and take more time to heat up your home and make it feel comfortable.
Upgrading an old boiler with a new one requires a hefty amount that is almost impossible to afford for many households. That is where the free ECO4 Boiler Grant comes to rescue you. If you are living in the UK and haven’t heard about it yet, don’t worry, we are going to help you understand what the ECO4 Boiler Grant is. Here’s everything you need to know about the ECO4 boiler grant and how working tax credit recipients can benefit from it.
What is ECO4 Boiler Grant UK?
The ECO4 Boiler Grant in the UK is the fourth stage of the boiler grant that started in 2022 and will end in 2026. The primary goal of the scheme is to:
- Enhance Heating Efficiency of UK Households
- Reduce Energy Bills and Make it Affordable for Everyone
- Reduce Fuel Poverty and Lower Carbon Emissions
The government of the UK has stepped out in a move to help low-income households deal with the rising cost of bills and living by offering free boiler grants. It helps vulnerable and needy homeowners to get equipped with new boilers by funding them through major energy providers in the UK.
The ECO4 boiler grant scheme is available for residents of England, Wales, and Scotland. The scheme is closely monitored by the government so that energy providers deliver what’s expected. Failing to deliver may result in hefty fines from the government.
Who is Eligible for the ECO4 Boiler Grant Scheme?
ECO4 Boiler Grant Scheme requires you to submit details about your financial situation and living conditions. It requires certain criteria to meet the eligibility of the ECO4 Boiler Grant Scheme. O make it simple, you have to be a homeowner or living as a private tenant. The EPC rating of your home is D or below. The boiler must be at least 15 years old to be eligible for the Boiler Grant Scheme UK. Moreover, you must be receiving qualifying benefits from the government. Here’s the list of benefits that you must be getting in order to be eligible for the ECO4 Boiler Grant Scheme.
- Income-based jobseekers allowance or JSA
- Income Related Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support (IS)
- Pension Credit Guarantee
- Working Tax Credits (WTC)
- Child Benefits
- Universal Credit (UC)
- Housing Benefit
- Pension Credit Savings
ECO4 Boiler Grant Scheme for Working Tax Credit Recipients
As we have mentioned earlier the list of qualifying benefits you must be receiving to qualify for free boiler grant. This also includes Working Tax Credit Recipients. Who are working tax credit recipients? Here’s an overview.
Working Tax Credit Overview
To be eligible for a Working Tax Credit, it is compulsory that you are already receiving Child Tax Credit. However, if you are unable to apply for Working Tax Credit, you can go for Universal Credit. Some other details you need to know about Working Tax Credit are mentioned below.
Number of Working Hours
To qualify for Working Tax Credit, you are required to meet a minimum number of working hours. Here’s how many hours you need to work according to your age.
Age/Condition | Number of Hours per Week |
---|---|
Aged 25 to 59 | Minimum 30 hours per week |
Aged 60 or over | Minimum 16 hours per week |
Disabled | Minimum 16 hours per week |
Single with 1 or more children | Minimum 16 hours per week |
Couple with 1 or more children | Minimum 24 hours per week (One of you must work at least 16 hours) |
Total Income
There is no such condition on how much income you earn as it depends on your financial conditions. For a couple without children income limit is £18,000. Whereas a single person’s income limit is £13,000. However, it can be higher if you are paying for child care, you are disabled, or you have kids.
Benefits of a Free Boiler Grant
The ECO4 Boiler Grant Scheme is not just going to pay you off for a few days or months. Rest assured, if you apply for a free boiler grant, you can reap the benefits in the coming years. At least a decade or two. But how is a free boiler grant beneficial apart from getting free boiler replacement? Here is a list of benefits of a free boiler grant you will get.
Don’t Need to Pay Hefty Amount
Imagine buying a new boiler that costs thousands of dollars without including installation cost. Calculate the amount and you will be scratching your head to figure out how to pay such a huge cost. That’s where the ECO4 Boiler Grant Scheme comes to rescue you and your financial troubles.
In some cases, it won’t be totally free as you may contribute a little. But don’t get discouraged and think about how you can save your hard-earned money by paying partially.
However, in some instances, you could be required to make a small contribution to the cost, so it is not always 100% free, but nonetheless would still bring you a significant saving overall on the cost of a new boiler.
Savings for Many Years to Come
If you are not applying for an ECO4 boiler grant just because you have to pay partially, think again. The energy rates have increased in the UK over the past few years. Every year, winter brings lots of cold and nightmares in the form of energy bills. And it is almost impossible to keep oneself warm in the extreme weather when snowfalls and chilling wind blows.
Old boilers are less energy efficient and require more energy to heat the home. ECO4 Boiler Grant Free Scheme delivers a new boiler that is highly efficient and controls your heating bills. Make sure to check boiler grant elgibility by entering the postcode.
Maintenance Cost is Minimum to None
It’s not possible for any machine to work in a lifetime without any faults. Old boilers can turn faulty over the years, which includes leakages, corrosion, and low heating. All it takes is a huge amount of money out of your pocket to get it repaired and fixed. Moreover, you never know when the old boiler will turn faulty again and you have to spend more money to get it fixed.
The ECO4 boiler grant scheme offers you a free boiler, which can last up to several years. You don’t need to set funds aside just to get it repaired or fixed. However, annual maintenance will surely increase its life and prevent you from costly damages. One thing that keeps you worry-free is the warranty that can be claimed for a year or two. So if things are not working properly, you can claim your warranty without paying a dime.
Optimal Efficiency
Old boilers can add to your miseries when it comes to maintenance costs, bills, and performance. Once you turn on your heating system, just wait for hours to feel the warmth in your home. Especially if your boiler is 15-25 years old.
Applying for ECO4 scheme boiler grant UK will help you to achieve maximum efficiency without bragging. That means you are going to feel the warmth after a short period as new boilers consume less energy and produce more heat.
Reduces Carbon Emissions
Old boilers normally burn fossil fuels to heat up the home. This results in the emission of harmful gases, posing a threat to the environment. Moreover, it is normally observed that low-efficient boilers take too much time to heat up and consume a lot of energy.
Lowering carbon emissions is the main objective of the ECO4 Boiler Grant Scheme. By applying for this grant, you will not only be saving on your bills but also play a role in reducing carbon emissions for a healthy environment.
Improve EPC Rating and Increase Home Value
If you have been planning to move somewhere else after selling your home, it is the right time to apply for the ECO4 boiler scheme. The reason is you need to submit an Energy Performance Certificate when selling your home. If the rating is good, more potential buyers will approach you and offer you a handsome amount.
However, on the contrary, if the EPC rating is D or below, it may end up decreasing its value. Don’t delay it as the boiler grant scheme will end in 2026. This is a huge opportunity for you to improve your EPC rating without bearing an extra financial burden.
Summing Up
In this post we have discussed everything about the ECO4 boiler grant scheme and who qualifies for it. Whether you are a working tax credit recipient or receiving Pension Credit Savings, the ECO4 Boiler Grant Scheme is here to give you relief and comfort in the winter. The long-term benefits are numerous that you would see in the coming years by replacing your boiler. Apply now after checking your eligibility for the ECO4 Boiler Grant Scheme.
If you want updates on ECO4 Scheme Boiler Grants, make sure to visit ecoenergyservices.co.uk. Our team is also waiting to assist you in case of any queries or problems.