Central heating and boiler grants are being offered now to help pay the costs of a boiler replacement or a completely new heating system if there is no pre-existing system installed. The grants are being provided via the Energy Companies Obligation (ECO) scheme. Homeowners who receive a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) benefit may be able to access a grant to cover the expense of any work required and the grant will not need to be paid back.
In accordance with the government-supported ECO scheme, the country’s major energy suppliers like British Gas and Npower among others will front the costs of any work needed to help fight fuel poverty here in the UK. The “Affordable Warmth” part of the ECO scheme aims to make certain that households on a low income have energy-efficient heating systems resulting in smaller energy bills.
How do people on Personal Independence Payment qualify for a heating grant?
The grants available for central heating from the ECO scheme can be accessed by private tenants, as well as homeowners and landlords, providing that someone living at the property receives one of the qualifying benefits listed by ECO.
Personal Independence Payment is counted as a qualifying benefit that entitles a householder to support through the ECO central heating scheme, so if an individual is receiving this type of support, they’ll be able to access an ECO grant.
A Personal Independence Payment benefit is awarded to people who have a disability or a long-term health condition, to assist with additional costs. Those in receipt of the benefit can be given up to £151.40 per week, providing they are not receiving a state pension and are at least 16 years of age or older.
How do the heating grants work for those on PIP?
If a householder is in receipt of a PIP benefit, they can apply via an online form and arrange a free, no-obligation survey of their current heating system. Following the survey, an approved ECO installer will then install the new energy-efficient heating system and the homeowner can recoup the costs using the ECO scheme.
As well as the applicant, the boiler that requires replacing must qualify as well, for a home to receive a free central heating grant via the ECO scheme.
In order to answer the established criteria, the boiler that needs replacing must be operating with an efficiency level no greater than 86 percent of its top capacity. Boilers that are operating with this standard of efficiency are typically rated from C to G, with the most efficient boiler carrying an A rating. Boilers that are around five years old or more are commonly found in this category and will meet the set criteria.
If boilers are confirmed to be damaged beyond viable repair expenses, they are also eligible for a grant as well as those with faults in functionality. Common faults in older models of boiler that could see them qualify include constantly requiring repressurising, pilot lights that won’t stay lit, models that leak water and produce considerable noise or those that are not able to provide basic central heating and hot water.
Even if a boiler has none of these issues, if it is C rated or lower for efficiency or is five years or older, it should be eligible to be replaced for free.