Free Boiler Scheme (LEAP) Explained
- Last updated date: August 3, 2024
Written by Kate Hallewell
April 2024 Update: The free boiler scheme is now closed in England and Wales. It is still open in Scotland.
The LEAP (Local Energy Advice Partnership) scheme is a free service that is helping people keep warm and reduce their energy bills. The scheme is designed to assist people who are in, or are at risk of falling into fuel poverty by offering at-home energy saving consultations to eligible applicants.
Free boiler scheme: LEAP grants explained
Depending on your circumstances, you could be eligible for a new energy efficient boiler if your current boiler is broken. At Energy Saving Genie we have created a free grant checker to check your eligibility for all relevant energy efficiency improvement grants (including the LEAP scheme).
In addition to checking your eligibility for a replacement boiler grant, we’ll also check if you could have other energy savings measures installed in your home (e.g. loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, internal wall insulation, air source heat pump, ground source heat pump, biomass boiler and solar PV). There are a number of home heating measures available under the various UK government energy efficiency grant schemes. It might sound complicated, but Energy Saving Genie helps to navigate the often complicated rules and eligibility criteria.
Eligibility for the LEAP free boiler scheme
If you currently claim eligible benefits, or your household income is under £31,000, or you have someone in your household who is classed as vulnerable, you may be eligible for the LEAP scheme. It is open to homeowners, private renters and social housing tenants.
How does the Local Energy Advice Partnership (LEAP) free boiler scheme work?
The Local Energy Advice Partnership (LEAP) free boiler scheme is a tailored service to help eligible residents save on their energy bills, and to install free boilers with no hidden costs. LEAP experts offer a free-of-charge comprehensive energy service to the eligible residents which include energy efficiency advice, a home energy check and money management guidance.
Under the scheme, qualifying participants will be offered a replacement boiler. LEAP is a more inclusive scheme, giving a wider range of people the opportunity to apply for funding. Its main objective is to alleviate fuel poverty by reducing energy costs and thereby improve living conditions.
Despite having a higher approval rate, the LEAP scheme is only funded until March 2024. Although it is anticipated that the end date will be extended, it is best to apply now to avoid missing out.
The Benefits of Upgrading Your Boiler
1. Lower Heating Bills
One major advantage of upgrading your boiler through these schemes is the potential to significantly reduce your heating bills. According to estimates, an old boiler could cost an average of £200 – £355 extra a year (for a semi-detached house). By upgrading to an energy-efficient model, you can heat your home at a fraction of the cost. The energy saving trust has more information on boiler heating costs and potential savings.
An efficient heating system requires less energy, effectively reducing your bills. Moreover, with a new boiler, the chances of frequent costly repairs are reduced. All of these cost-savings measures can, over time, amount to considerable savings.
2. Improved Efficiency with New Boiler Models
New A-rated boiler models are significantly more efficient compared to older boilers. Modern boilers have an energy efficiency of 92%-94%, compared to boilers older than 20 years which have an efficiency rate of around 65%. This implies for every £1 spent on heating, only around 6p is wasted with a new boiler, compared to 35p wasted with an older model.
Enhanced efficiency is not only good for your wallet, but also great for the environment. Less energy drawn translates to reduced carbon emissions, contributing to the UK government’s target of minimizing carbon emissions. With a new boiler, the energy you consume is utilized more effectively, providing you the same amount of heat while using less energy overall.
FAQs about Free Boiler Scheme (LEAP)
Can anyone access the LEAP scheme?
While the LEAP free boiler scheme is accessible to many, not everyone can automatically receive a free boiler.
Your eligibility largely depends on whether you receive certain income-related benefits, among other factors such as health conditions, the age of the people in your household, and your overall household income.
If you receive the designated benefits or meet the other qualifying criteria, you could potentially get a free boiler grant.
What happens after I apply for a free boiler?
After you apply for a free boiler, the submitted application is reviewed for eligibility. If you qualify, the application is accepted, and a local, government-approved installer contacts you.
Is the installation process disruptive?
The installation process of a new boiler is usually swift and minimally disruptive. The installation team arranges a suitable installation date and time that works for you.
Once on site, the team carries out the work efficiently, ensuring your home is disturbed as little as possible.
Are there any other energy efficiency grants available?
There are a number of other energy efficiency grant schemes available for eligible applicants in the UK including:
- Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) – A UK government grant scheme designed to help residents in England, Wales and Scotland reduce their energy bills. The GBIS focusses on delivering single insulation measures to eligible households (such as loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and internal wall insulation). The UK government estimates that the scheme will make around 300,000 homes more energy efficient, and those receiving insulation upgrades will see their bills reduce by around £300-400 on average per year.
- Energy Company Obligation Scheme (ECO4) – The UK government introduced The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme to tackle fuel poverty, rising energy and heating costs, and climate change. This government ECO scheme is administered through Ofgem and has been through 4 different iterations, and the latest version called ECO4 has £4 billion of funding for eligible applicants. The ECO4 scheme takes a whole-house approach to energy efficiency, and can offer free grants between £7,000 – £20,000.
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) – The UK government introduced Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) to tackle fuel poverty, rising energy and heating costs, and climate change. The scheme has £1.5 billion of funding for eligible applicants to install ground source heat pumps, and air source heat pumps or biomass boilers. It is administered by Ofgem and provides funding for homeowners and businesses to install heating measures in their homes at a discounted price.
Energy Saving Genie’s free grant checker will check all available grant schemes on your behalf. This ensures that you get the most funding for energy efficiency improvements to your home, based on your individual circumstances.
For more information on energy saving grant schemes you can visit the Ofgem website, or alternatively the UK Government’s Department of Energy Security and Net Zero website.
