Written by Kate Hallewell
Does your home rely on a back boiler for heating? If yes, you may not have heard about a generous grant opportunity for homeowners just like you.
Currently, there is a fully-funded back boiler removal grant available to homeowners in England, Scotland and Wales. Not only does the grant include removal of the existing back boiler, it also covers the installation of a new A-Rated efficient mains gas boiler (if you’re connected to gas) or a heat pump (if you don’t have mains gas in your area).
So, if you’re looking to upgrade your back boiler, improve your home’s energy efficiency and save money on your utility bills, you’ve come to the right place.
What is a back boiler?
Back boiler options were once a popular choice for heating systems, especially in older homes. They were typically situated behind fireplaces and relied on a chimney to vent the combustion gases. While they provided warmth, these were fossil fuel systems. Over time, advancements in technology have introduced more energy-efficient alternatives, making back boilers obsolete.
Here at Energy Saving Genie, we’re dedicated to:
- helping homeowners find ways to make their homes more energy-efficient
- promoting UK Government grant schemes (often the most cost-effective way to improve your home, reduce your energy bills and minimise your carbon footprint).
Why is removing back boilers important?
Removing the back boiler, a process known as back boiler conversion, is a crucial step towards improving the energy efficiency of your home. By replacing it with a modern and more efficient heating system, you can enjoy a range of benefits:
- Financial savings: Switching to a modern heating system can save you up to £300 per year on energy bills, due to improved efficiency and lower fuel consumption. This means the money you save on heating costs can be put towards other basic living needs.
- Enhanced energy efficiency: New heating systems offer higher energy efficiency ratings, which means reduced energy consumption. For instance, modern condensing boilers are typically over 90% efficient, while older back boilers can be as low as 60% efficient.
- Improved heating performance: Modern boilers provide better heat output, ensuring a consistent and comfortable indoor temperature throughout your home.
- Eco-friendly solution: Upgrading from a back boiler to a modern condensing boiler can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around 1.7 tonnes per year for an average home. By upgrading to a more energy-efficient system, you can rest easy knowing you’re playing your part in helping combat climate change.
- Increased property value: For homeowners, upgrading your heating system adds value to the property, making it more attractive to potential buyers.
Back boiler removal grant
The good news is that homeowners can get a 100% funded and free back boiler removal and replacement grant under the government’s Energy Company Obligation grant scheme. This scheme aims to encourage the removal of outdated back boilers and promote the adoption of more energy-efficient heating systems, without householders having to outlay their own money.
According to the UK Government’s legislation of the ECO order (passed in 2022), “For the period … ending with 31st March 2026 the overall home-heating cost reduction target is £224.3 million in annual cost savings” to households.
Many have already accessed the grants, such as Ian, who used our free checking tool earlier this year to see whether he would qualify for the back boiler removal grant to remove his inefficient boiler. Happily, the answer was yes, and a new energy-friendly heating was installed in his home as a result.
Key facts about the back boiler removal grants:
- Eligibility: The grant is available to homeowners throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Your home will need to have a low energy efficiency rating to qualify, and if you have a back boiler this is likely to be the case. Someone living at the property will also need to be eligible for funding through one of the 6 ways to qualify such as through receiving benefits, meeting income rules, having a health issue or being vulnerable.
- Financial support: The grant typically provides 100% funding to cover the cost of removing the back boiler and installing a more efficient heating system. The amount of funding may vary depending on your location, your individual circumstances and your property. Additionally, you could qualify to have free insulation installed as part of the grant package (if your home isn’t already insulated).
- Government-backed: These grants are available as part of the government’s Energy Company Obligation scheme, which has £4 billion available to upgrade inefficient homes across the UK.
- Uptake: In total, as of June 2024, there have been 39,929 measures implemented in households in the category of “Boiler – Upgrade of an inefficient heating system” in the ECO4 phase of the scheme. This is very strong evidence of the impact and success of the program to date.
How to access a back boiler removal and upgrade grant
To take advantage and secure your back boiler removal and upgrade grant, follow these simple steps:
- Use our free grant checker to check your eligibility and apply. We have a network of 30+ registered installers, and they have contracts with all of the major energy companies funding the grants.
- Provide photos of your back boiler to expedite your application.
- Answer the call when you are contacted by the registered installer and answer any questions they may have.
- If your property is eligible, the registered installer will arrange the removal of your back boiler and installation of your new heating system. On completion, they’ll issue all guarantees and warranties, and you’ll have a new A-Rated heating system with lower energy bills.
Take the next step:
Upgrading your back boiler through the ECO4 scheme is a great way to enhance your home’s energy efficiency, reduce your carbon footprint, and save on your utility bills. If you have a back boiler (or any other inefficient heating), all you need to do is complete the free grant checker.
Can I get a grant to remove a back boiler?
If you have a back boiler, it is likely your property will be classed as having inefficient heating. There are £4 billion of grants available to upgrade old heating systems, and back boilers can be removed and upgraded for free if you meet the eligibility criteria. Check if you qualify with our free grant checker
Is it illegal to sell a house with a back boiler?
While you could potentially sell your house with a back boiler or broken boiler (providing you disclose it), you could also upgrade it before you move. Energy Company Obligation grants don’t need to be repaid if you move, so you could apply for a grant for your existing home, and again in your new property. A new heating system will also be more attractive to potential buyers.
What are the removal costs of a back boiler?
If your property qualifies for these generous back boiler grants, your back boiler will be:
- removed for free, and
- new heating (including radiators and potentially insulation) will be installed for free, as the grants cover 100% of the cost.
Why do I need to replace my gas back boiler with a different type?
Replacing your gas back boiler with a different heating system is necessary for several reasons. Firstly, gas back boilers are known to be inefficient compared to modern heating systems.
By upgrading to a more efficient boiler, you can reduce energy consumption and lower your utility bills. Additionally, modern boilers provide improved heating performance, ensuring a more consistent and comfortable temperature in your home.
Lastly, replacing your gas back boiler with more efficient heating systems allows you to embrace eco-friendly solutions and reduce your carbon footprint, contributing to a greener environment.
Where do the back boiler upgrade grants come from?
Back boiler upgrade grants are available through the Energy Company Obligation grant scheme. The current phase of the scheme, ECO4, is administered by Ofgem.
The scheme obligates the UK’s large and medium energy suppliers to promote and fund measures that improve the ability of low-income, fuel-poor and vulnerable households to heat their homes.
Along with generous grants for boiler upgrades to renewable heating systems, including combi boilers and air source heat pumps, there are many other energy-efficiency measures available to qualifying households as part of the scheme, including:
- first time central heating to renewable (and non-renewable) systems grants
- heating controls grants
- cavity wall insulation grants
- solid wall insulation grants
- loft insulation grants
- underfloor insulation grants.
To access the range of eco grants on offer, you need to complete a short grant application form. This form provides information on eligibility criteria and guides you through the application process.
How much does back boiler replacement cost, including all pipework?
The installation costs of a back boiler replacement, including all pipework, can vary depending on factors such as the type of new boiler, the complexity of the installation, and your geographical location. When you apply for the grant, the installer will assess your specific requirements and provide you with details of what will be covered by the grant scheme.
The installer will act on your behalf so that there is nothing to pay towards the installation (if the property is eligible for funding).
You can be assured of first-rate service and reliability thanks to our network of 30+ Trustmark-accredited installers, who will take care of each step of the process, from initial contact with you, to ensuring you have the warranty for all measures installed at the end of the process.
How can I apply for a free boiler grant or a boiler replacement grant?
To apply for a free eco boiler grant or a boiler replacement grant, use our free grant checker. The form will ask you to provide information about your current heating system, your eligibility based on specific criteria (such as income or property type, as well as current Energy Performance Certificate – EPC – rating), and any documentation that may be required to support the application.
The process is simple, and you will usually get an immediate indication of eligibility. If you are eligible, you will be connected with a registered installer with funding to upgrade back boilers in your area.
If you have any further questions, please email us or go ahead and check your eligibility today.
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Energy companies are funding home upgrades, but these grants will end once they’ve met their legal obligations—so they won’t be around for long.