You hear the word ‘free’ and you automatically think ‘this is too good to be true’, right? Understandably, most of us are cautious whenever we hear free in a sentence.
You hear the words, ‘free boiler scheme’ and you think it’s a con? Why would anyone offer a boiler for free – what’s the catch?
Still sceptical? Don’t be. Householders who meet the qualifying criteria, may be eligible for a free boiler.
This blog will hopefully reassure you, by empowering you with knowledge. Giving you the background information to why there is funding available for boiler replacements, how the funding is calculated and importantly, how you may qualify.
What is the free boiler scheme about?
One way the government is trying to tackle fuel poverty, is through energy efficiency schemes.
One such scheme, is the Energy Company Obligation. This scheme is designed to help save money on householder’s energy bills, reduce carbon emissions, and at the same time help the environment.
The Energy Company Obligation is an obligation placed by the Government on to the major energy companies, to provide funding to qualifying households. This isn’t just a free boiler scheme, moreover, it is a scheme which provides funding for insulation measures too.
Where does the funding come from?
Good question, and one which will reassure many people who worry that the free boiler scheme is a con.
Energy companies have a legal obligation to provide funding for energy saving measures, including more efficient heating and insulation. Therefore, that’s where the funding is from.
TrustMark registered installers, who have partnerships with the energy companies, have access to this funding.
Energy companies have targets to meet, which are set out by Government. That’s why you may have seen information on the free boiler scheme pop up on your social media, online or perhaps you’ve read about it in the newspaper. The funding needs to be spent and qualifying households need to access it and take advantage of it, whilst it is still available.
How do you qualify for the free boiler scheme?
It is easy to see if you qualify, before even contacting a TrustMark registered installer.
It’s very simple. If you are a homeowner, your boiler is over 8 years old and intermittently working, and you receive one of the benefits below, you could qualify for the free boiler scheme. The funding available is for replacement of non-condensing boilers and central heating systems.
The EPC rating of your home also is taken into consideration. For instance, you may qualify if your home is E, F or G rated.
- Universal Credit
- Income based jobseekers allowance
- Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance
- Tax Credits (Child Tax and Working Tax Credits)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit Guarantee
- Pension Credit Savings
- Housing Benefit
There is another way you can qualify for the free boiler scheme
The great thing about the current free boiler scheme, funded through the Energy Company Obligation, is that your Local Authority has authorisation to extend the qualifying criteria, to suit the needs of their communities. This means that you may qualify, even if you are not on one of the qualifying benefits listed above.
The criteria laid out by your Local Authority often takes into consideration those on low incomes, your health, age or simply the area you live in.
If you wish, you can easily access online, the criteria within your Local Authority area. Basically, put the name of your Local Authority in a search engine followed by the wording ‘ECO Statement of Intent’. This will take you through to a document on your Local Authority’s website, that lists the chosen qualifying criteria for residents in your borough.
Don’t worry. TrustMark registered installers should be able to advise if you meet the criteria and apply on your behalf because of the direct links with Local Authorities across the country.
How much funding do you get?
You do not receive the funding directly. The TrustMark registered installer that you decide to appoint, will carry out a technical survey and assessment, which are usually free and no obligation. This is to determine two things. Firstly, to look at your existing boiler and the work required to replace it. Secondly, to assess how much funding can be attracted.
Calculating the amount of funding that can be attracted, can be quite complex. Put simply, it all depends on the property type and what is known as the lifetime savings. This is the typical bill savings the new boiler replacement will attract, over its lifetime.
Most of the time, boiler replacements are fully funded through the Energy Company Obligation scheme, however sometimes, the customer will be asked to make a contribution based on the shortfall in funding.
Once it is established that you qualify, the installer will arrange the boiler replacement installation and apply for the funding directly with the energy company.
“I benefitted from a free boiler, so could you”
These are the words of Jack. Jack and his wife Laura, a retired couple living in Cheshire, recently had their boiler replaced through the free boiler scheme, installed by Dyson Energy Services. It was funded by the Government backed Energy Company Obligation scheme.
Read our blog to find out more about Jack’s personal story and how he recommends others to take advantage of the available funding free boiler scheme.
Use a TrustMark registered Installer
Whether you have a free boiler or insulation installed through the Energy Company Obligation scheme, you have peace of mind that it is installed by a TrustMark registered installer. As it must be.
As a registered TrustMark approved installer, Dyson Energy Services delivers government-endorsed quality. It’s one of the reasons why we’re chosen by householders across the UK, as their installer of choice.
Not only are we a TrustMark registered installer, but we’re celebrating over 40 years of trading. Over the past four decades, we’ve grown into a nationally recognised installer – with over 3 million energy-saving measures delivered across insulation, heating, and renewables.
