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The government’s ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation) scheme currently serves oil-fired boiler replacement grants in the UK. Oil-fired boilers are bad for the environment. Thus, the UK government has to ban it in the future. Oil boiler replacement grants are developed to replace inefficient oil boilers with heat pumps, biomass, or condensing gas boilers.
Free oil boiler replacement grants are initiated to achieve a net zero carbon emissions goal by 2050. Thus, it is advisable to replace your home heating system immediately.
In short, many of you will want to replace them to help save money on your energy expenses. And they also aim to increase your home’s energy efficiency. Imagine replacing them at a fraction of the cost or even free. Oil-fired boiler replacement grants can do that. Continue to read further for the query’s answer, ‘Is there a grant for oil boiler.’
What is an Oil Boiler?
Most families in the UK use oil-fired boilers to heat their homes and provide hot water. However, around 4 million homes in the UK aren’t linked to the Gas Grid. Various alternative heating types are used for these 4 million homes, including LPG, oil, solid fuels, electricity, and sun.
An estimated 1.5 million homes in the UK today run on oil heating. Oil heating is also called a ‘wet’ method. Because it burns liquids (oil). Oil boiler fuel is cheaper than electricity and LPG.
Why Should You Replace Your Oil Boiler?
Over 1.5 million off-grid homes in the UK are warm with oil boilers. But oil boilers pollute the air. Thus, they are expected to be banned in the UK by 2026, and have no future. Due to environmental concerns, the government is phasing out oil boilers as part of its promise to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Thus, replacing oil-fired boilers with renewable energy options like heat pumps is good for the community and the environment.
The Environmental Impact of Oil Boilers
The Environmental Impact of Oil Boilers Regulations adopted in 2007 require all condensing oil boilers to have an energy efficiency grade of 86%+. Nowadays, most advanced oil boilers achieve an energy economy rate of 92%+.
On the other hand, oil boilers are worse for the environment than gas boilers because burning oil makes twice as much carbon as gas.
If you’re looking for environmentally friendly heating options, you might want to consider heat pumps, hydrogen boilers, and electric boilers. So read our outline here.
The Future of Oil Boilers
The UK has pledged to cut carbon pollution to zero by 2050 and become a carbon-neutral country. With one-third of the UK’s CO2 emissions coming from heating our houses, it’s clear that to achieve the carbon-neutral goal, change is coming to the heating business.
The government’s Heat and Buildings Strategy aims to phase out all fossil fuel-based heating systems, including oil boilers.
Specifically, the plan will start by removing fossil fuel systems in homes not tied to the gas grid. The government plans to halt the installation of fossil fuel heating in households outside the gas grid by 2026 (and non-domestic buildings by 2024).
It’s not hard to see why. An IEA (International Energy Agency) study suggested that heating homes with oil or gas is responsible for about 20% of total carbon dioxide pollution in the UK(source: news).
To handle this problem, the UK Government has suggested the following plan:
- An end to putting new fossil fuel heating in homes off the gas grid from 2026.
- A ‘heat pump first’ method to replace heating systems from 2026.
- They offer high-performing new heating systems where heat pumps cannot reasonably be installed.
There are worries regarding heat pumps’ cost. However, the UK Government started a free oil-fired boiler replacement grant plan to install 25-50% more heat pumps by 2026. Read below to learn ‘Is there a grant for oil boiler’ and how it works.
Understanding ECO4 Oil-Fired Boiler Replacement Grants
The UK government has established the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme. It is initiated to support the lowest-income households in improving their energy efficiency. One way to do this is by replacing oil boilers with heat pumps, which are much more efficient than oil-fired boilers.
The ECO4 Scheme is designed to ensure the big energy companies in the UK support their customers in switching to more energy-efficient measures at home to reduce energy bills and increase comfort. Under this scheme, you can replace oil boilers because a heat pump will help improve your EPC ratings and reduce your home’s carbon emissions—the ultimate goal of ECO4.
What Grants Are Available?
You can receive:
- £5,000 on air source heat pump installation
- £5,000 on the installation of a biomass boiler
- £6,000 on ground source heat pump installation
Will ECO4 Cover The Full Cost Of Oil-Fired Boiler Replacement?
The ECO4 oil boiler grant scheme could cover the total replacement cost. Still, it’s important to know that, based on your income, needs, etc., you might only be eligible for partial funds under ECO4.
First, you’ll need to ensure you are qualified for the funds. Check your status with( Company name) today for a quick answer. Further, read the qualifying standards and information below.
Who Is Eligible For a Free Oil-Fired Boiler Replacement Grant?
You must be a homeowner or private tenant to apply for the ECO4 free oil boiler replacement grant. And your home must be with an energy performance certificate rated D-G. You will also need to be considered a low-income family and meet one of the following criteria:
Be in receipt of government benefits OR someone in your home or a tenant is (a list of relevant government benefits can be found below)
Applicable Government Benefits
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Housing Benefit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support (IS)
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit (PCGC)
- Working Tax Credit (WTC)
- Child Tax Credit (CTC)
- Universal Credit (UC)
- Pension Credit Savings Credit (PCSC)
- Child Benefit*
- Properties with an EPC rating of lower D, E, F, & G.
How do I Apply for Oil-Fired Boiler Replacement Grants in 2024?
To improve your heating system as soon as possible, ask for an oil boiler replacement grant in only five steps, here’s how.
Visit Grant Boilers official Website
We are an approved site for ECO4 oil-fired boiler replacement grants. We can help you through the process. Use our free eligibility test at grantboilers.org.uk/check-eligibility
Fill Out the Application Form
After that, you will find an application form you must finish with some basic information.
After finishing it, click “Submit” to send your application so our team can continue next.
Find Out If You’re Eligible
If you qualify for the grant, we will tell you that you are eligible to replace your oil-fired boiler. The waiting time between sending the application form and getting approval can take up to 24 hours.
Schedule and Conduct the Property Survey
After being accepted for the oil-fired boiler replacement grant, you will be able to arrange a free property study to check your house, taking you one step closer to improving your home heating system.
Once you’ve set a date for this required process. A team of experts will visit your home to decide. If your oil boiler needs replacement, check that your house needs additional upgrades such as insulation, etc.
Schedule the Installation Date and Enjoy the Benefits of Heat Pump
After conducting the free survey, the specialists will schedule a date for installing the heat pump and all the additional upgrades. Finally, you will enjoy all the benefits of a brand-new heat pump, insulation, and cutting-edge heating controls.
Benefits of Upgrading Your Oil Boiler
Hence, exploring ‘Is there a grant for oil boiler’ can lead to approach benefits of replacement grants.
Upgrading your oil boiler through a free grant scheme not only helps reduce initial costs but also offers several long-term benefits:
Reaching Net Zero Emissions!
Energy Efficiency
Swapping oil boilers with heat pumps with more energy-efficient designs allows them to generate heat using less usage, resulting in significant savings on heating bills over time.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
An efficient heat pump can reduce your home’s carbon emissions. This supports a more environmentally friendly atmosphere and lessens the effects of climate change.
Improved Home Comfort
Improved heating efficiency from heat pumps assures that your property remains warm and pleasant even in the coldest months. Improved technology means more steady and effective warmth.
Increased Property Value
Energy-efficient changes, such as a heat pump, can improve the value of your home. Potential sellers often look for homes with modern, efficient heating systems, making it a good investment.
Conclusion
Oil boiler replacement grants offer useful financial help for homes looking to improve their energy economy and lower heating costs. The above guide may help you discover the answer to ‘Is there a grant for oil boiler?’ and why you should replace your oil-fired boiler with heat pumps.
Claiming the free oil boiler replacement grant will offer you many perks. It will allow you to update your old heating system with new, energy-efficient choices, such as heat pumps. You can eliminate fuel poverty. And you can keep your home comfortable throughout the year. Heat pumps can help you save up to 70% on energy bills compared to oil boilers every year.
(Company Name) is here to help you with every step, from checking your eligibility for grants to arranging professional installation. Use these free government-backed schemes today to make your home more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, free oil boiler replacement grants are available in the UK. Thanks to the UK government’s ECO4 scheme for low-income and rural families who need help to replace their oil-fired boilers with a more efficient and eco-friendly option like heat pumps.
80% of the UK’s oil boilers are being phased out by 2035, leaving up to 6% of UK households needing a replacement heating method. That could mean buying a new gas boiler, but as most of these households are disconnected from the gas grid, they would have to look at other heating methods like heat pumps.
Heat pumps, solar thermal heating, and biomass boilers are the most common alternatives. Researching each choice is vital to selecting the finest one for your requirements.
