Government Boiler Help In 2026

The ECO Scheme in 2026 (Energy Company Obligation)

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a government-backed scheme that requires large energy suppliers to fund energy efficiency improvements in qualifying homes.

ECO has been running since 2013 and is now in its fourth phase, known as ECO4.

ECO4 scheme timeline

• ECO4 launched: August 2022
• Scheduled to end: 31 March 2026

Unlike previous versions, ECO4 places much less emphasis on gas boiler replacements and focuses instead on:

• Insulation improvements
• Low-carbon heating measures
• Whole-house energy efficiency upgrades

Under ECO4, boiler repairs and replacements are capped, with support limited to cases where a boiler is beyond economic repair.

Official overview: ECO4 Guidance – GOV.UK (opens in a new window)

Are free boiler grants still available in 2026?

In limited cases, yes — but they are far less common than under earlier schemes.

Under ECO4:

• Boiler replacements are not routinely funded
• Support is generally only available if:
  • The boiler cannot be repaired
  • The household meets strict eligibility criteria
  • The replacement forms part of a wider energy efficiency upgrade

By comparison:

• Over 130,000 boilers were installed under ECO3
• ECO4 limits boiler replacements to around 5,000 homes nationwide

This reflects a policy shift away from funding gas boilers directly.

Who qualifies for ECO4 support?

ECO4 is targeted at low-income and vulnerable households.

You may qualify if you receive one or more of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit
• Pension Guarantee Credit
• Income Support
• Income-related ESA or JSA
• Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Disability Living Allowance
• Attendance Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance
• Armed Forces Independence Payment

You may also qualify if:

• Your home has an EPC rating of D, E, F or G
• Your local authority has referred you through ECO Flex

Check EPC ratings here: Find an Energy Performance Certificate (opens in a new window)

What is ECO Flex?

ECO Flex allows local councils to widen eligibility to households not receiving benefits but who:

• Are on low incomes
• Live in inefficient homes
• Are at risk of fuel poverty

Availability varies by council.

ECO Flex explained – Ofgem (opens in a new window)

Does ECO still cover gas boilers?

In some cases, yes — but only where repair is not possible and where the replacement supports wider efficiency improvements.

ECO4 places greater emphasis on:

• Insulation first
• Reducing heat demand
• Low-carbon heating where suitable

Gas boilers are no longer the default funded option.

Help with renewable heating: Boiler Upgrade Scheme

If you’re considering moving away from gas entirely, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) remains available in England and Wales.

Under BUS, eligible homeowners can receive:

• Up to £7,500 towards:
  • Air source heat pumps
  • Ground source heat pumps
  • Biomass boilers (rural properties only)

BUS runs until December 2027.

Boiler Upgrade Scheme – GOV.UK(opens in a new window)

Social housing and ECO4

ECO4 support is available for social housing tenants where:

• The property has an EPC rating of D, E, F or G
• Measures improve energy efficiency or reduce heating costs

More details Ofgem ECO Scheme Overview(opens in a new window)

Is ECO available nationwide?

Yes. ECO4 operates across:

• England
• Wales
• Scotland

(Separate schemes operate in Northern Ireland.)

Off-grid and rural homes

ECO includes a rural sub-obligation, allowing support for:

• Oil-heated homes
• LPG-heated homes
• Off-grid properties

Support is capped and highly conditional.

Private finance options (non-government)

If you don’t qualify for ECO or BUS, many homeowners now turn to private finance options, including:

• Home improvement loans
• Energy-efficiency loans
• “Green” personal loans

Examples include:

• Barclays Green Home Loan
• NatWest Energy Efficiency Loans
• Lloyds Home Improvement Loans

These are not government schemes, and approval depends on credit status.

Conclusion

Government help with boilers in 2026 still exists, but it is far more targeted and limited than in previous years.

For households on qualifying benefits or living in inefficient homes, ECO4 may still provide support, particularly where a boiler cannot be repaired. However, most funding is now focused on insulation and long-term efficiency improvements, rather than like-for-like gas boiler replacements.

Homeowners considering renewable heating can explore the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, while others may need to rely on private finance or standard replacement options.

If your boiler is over 10 years old, understanding your options early can help reduce costs and avoid unexpected breakdowns — especially as energy efficiency standards continue to tighten.

Useful links

For more helpful information please follow the links below, they include official government consultation outcomes (Q&As) and the history of the ECO scheme.

ECO4 Guidance (GOV.UK): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-company-obligation-eco4-guidance

Ofgem ECO microsite: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-and-social-schemes/energy-company-obligation-eco

Boiler Upgrade Scheme: https://www.gov.uk/apply-boiler-upgrade-scheme