FIRST TIME CENTRAL HEATING GRANT
First Time Central Heating Grants are offered to homes that currently lack, and have never had, a central heating system installation.
All new central heating system installations are carried out by a certified home heating engineer
Verify your eligibility today.
Apply for a first time central heating grant
A first time central heating grant requires that the new central heating system is installed in domestic property which has never had a central heating system before.
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How do I know if I qualify for a ECO4 first time central heating grant
To qualify for first time central heating grants, the new central heating system to be installed must be a system which provides space heating through a boiler connected to radiators. If your home has a mains gas supply and gas meter (which were both installed prior to 1st April 2022) you can apply for gas central heating, if not you can apply for an air source heat pump to be installed.
To be eligible for first-time central heating grants, the newly installed central heating system must offer space heating through a boiler connected to radiators. If your home is connected to both a mains gas supply and a gas meter installed before April 1, 2022, you may qualify for the installation of gas central heating. Otherwise, you have the option to apply for the installation of an air source heat pump.
To be eligible, you must be in receipt of one of the qualifying State Benefits, Tax Credits, or Other Allowances unless you meet the criteria specified under ECO Flex Rules, which are outlined below.
You must receive one of the qualifying UK Government Benefits, Tax Credits or Other Allowances:
- Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit
- Child Tax Credits
- Child Benefit
- Housing Benefits
- Income Related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pensions Savings Credit
- Income Support or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
You need to either own a home or be a tenant in a privately rented home
To qualify for a first time central heating ECO4 grant you must be a homeowner, or a tenant in a privately rented home.
Homeowners
Homeowners seeking eligibility for an ECO4 central heating grant must have a home with an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G. However, it's important to note that certain homes in the upper range of band D may not meet the qualification criteria.
Private Tenants
Privately rented home must have an EPC rating of E, F or G to be eligible for Central Heating Grants.
Types of existing heating system which are eligible for a first time central heating system grant
Your home must have either no existing heating system or one of the following heating systems to qualify for ECO4 grant:
- Gas warm air heating system
- Electric room heaters
- Electric underfloor or ceiling heating
- LPG room heaters
- Solid fossil fuel heaters
- Wood/biomass heaters
- Oil room heaters
- Direct acting room heaters
- Fan heaters
- Gas room heaters
- Back boiler heaters
The heating system in your home which is considered for eligibility for First Time Central Heating Grants is the one identified as the ‘Main Heating’ system on your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
ECO Flex Grant Scheme
The ECO Flex Grants scheme assists individuals who, while not receiving one of the qualifying benefits above, are on a low income and susceptible to the impact of living in a cold home. Local Authorities have the ability to establish their own criteria for determining eligibility for First Time Central Heating grant within the ECO Flex Grants scheme.
There are four ways in which you may qualify under ECO Flex rules, but it must be first approved by your Local Authority:
Household Income
Households with limited income allocate a higher proportion of their earnings to maintain a warm home. As a result, low-income households without one of the qualifying benefits may be eligible for the Local Authority ECO Flex Grant Scheme.
Grant eligibility is for households with an income below £31,000.
If you do not qualify for the ECO Flex Grant Scheme, you may be able to apply for an ECO4 free boiler grant.
Vulnerable Households
Homes with an EPC rating of E, F, or G require more energy to heat. You may qualify for the ECO Flex Grants Scheme if your home has a low EPC rating, and you meet two of the following criteria:
- You receive a Council Tax rebate (single person rebate does not qualify).
- Someone in your household has been referred under a scheme managed by the Local Authority, aimed at providing support to low-income and vulnerable households.
- Someone from your household is vulnerable to living in a cold home.
- Someone from your household receives free school meals.
- Your household has been identified as struggling with ongoing debt related to utility bills and mortgage payments. A referral for support has been made to the Local Authority by Citizens Advice Bureau, your Energy Supplier, or your Mortgage Lender.
NHS Referral
The NHS has directed you to contact your Local Authority due to the potentially severe effects of residing in a cold home.
Typically, individuals with respiratory issues, cardiovascular problems, limited mobility, or weakened immune systems are affected by such conditions.
Fuel Poverty
This is a broad option that enables Local Authorities to establish their own initiative targeting households grappling with fuel poverty.
Your Local Authority needs to present its proposals to the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy for review and approval.
Home Insulation
To be eligible for First Time Central Heating Grants, your home should be properly insulated.
This entails having sufficient loft insulation, and if your home features cavity walls, it must also have cavity wall insulation.
If your home lacks either of these installations at the time of your application, the installer responsible for your new central heating system may coordinate the necessary arrangements for you.