Do You Need to Be Off-Gas to Get a Boiler Grant? The Truth About Eligibility

Do You Need to Be Off-Gas to Get a Boiler Grant? The Truth About Eligibility

Understanding the Boiler Grant Schemes

In the UK, most boiler grants are offered under the  Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme — now in its fourth phase, known as ECO4, running from 2022 to 2026. The program requires major energy suppliers to fund energy efficiency improvements  in homes, with a focus on vulnerable or low-income households.

There are two key distinctions when it comes to boiler grants:

• On-Gas Properties: Homes that are connected to the mains gas grid.

• Off-Gas Properties: Homes not connected to mains gas — they may use oil, LPG, coal, electricity, or other alternative fuels.

Do Off-Gas Properties Have More Options?

Yes to an extent. Off-gas homes often qualify for different kinds of upgrades. For example:

• If your home is off the gas grid, you might be eligible for electric storage heaters, air source heat pumps, or even solar panels, depending on your location, insulation, and income status.

• In many off-gas cases, the grant doesn’t just replace the heating system — it may include comprehensive energy efficiency measures, like insulation or renewable tech.

This is because off-gas homes typically have higher heating costs and lower energy efficiency, which makes them a priority under government carbon-reduction targets.

Can On-Gas Homes Qualify for Boiler Grants?

Absolutely. If your home is connected to mains gas and has an old, broken, or inefficient boiler, you may still qualify for a replacement under the ECO4 scheme, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.

Typically, ECO4 support for on-gas homes focuses on:

• Replacing non-condensing boilers (older systems)

• Upgrading broken heating systems

• Installing first-time central heating where no system exists

However, ECO4 also encourages a "whole-house" approach, which means a boiler upgrade is often offered as part of a wider package including loft or cavity wall insulation, ventilation, and smart controls.

Key Eligibility Criteria (Regardless of Fuel Type)

Whether your home is on-gas or off-gas, the following criteria usually apply for boiler grants:

1. Household Income

• Generally, you need to have a low income (specific thresholds vary depending on your location and energy supplier).

• Some schemes also use a Local Authority Flexible Eligibility (LA Flex) route to include households that don’t receive benefits but are still vulnerable to fuel poverty.

2. Benefits Qualification

• Receiving one or more of the following can make you eligible:

  • Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

  • Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

  • Universal Credit

  • Pension Credit

  • Working Tax Credit

  • Child Tax Credit, etc.

3. Property Type and EPC Rating

• Your property must generally have a low EPC rating (E, F, or G for owner-occupied homes).

• Private tenants may also qualify, but landlord consent is required.

What If You’re Not on Benefits?

If you’re not on benefits, you may still qualify through LA Flex — a route that lets local councils define their own rules to help households in fuel poverty. LA Flex eligibility may include:

• Low household income

• Health conditions worsened by cold homes

• Elderly residents or young children

This means being off-gas or not doesn’t automatically exclude or include you — your income and circumstances are far more important.

Common Misconceptions

Myth 1: “Only off-gas homes can get boiler grants”

No. While off-gas homes may receive different types of upgrades, on-gas homes are very much eligible under ECO4, especially for replacing older boilers.

Myth 2: “You need to install a heat pump to qualify”

Not always. While heat pumps are increasingly promoted, many homes still qualify for boiler replacements — particularly if the old boiler is broken or inefficient.

Myth 3: “Boiler grants are only for homeowners”

Not true. Private tenants can qualify with landlord permission, and social housing tenants may be eligible under certain conditions.

What Are the Alternatives for Off-Gas Homes?

For off-gas properties, the grant may be used to:

• Install electric heating systems

• Switch to renewables like solar or heat pumps

• Improve insulation and ventilation to cut down on heat loss

While boiler replacements are more common in on-gas homes, off-gas homes may receive a broader upgrade package because their existing heating methods (like oil or coal) are less efficient and more polluting.

Summary: Do You Need to Be Off-Gas?

No, you don’t need to be off-gas to qualify for a boiler grant. On-gas homes may still be eligible for support under ECO4, especially if:

• The current boiler is broken or inefficient

• The household receives qualifying benefits

• The home has a low EPC rating

That said, off-gas properties might qualify for a different range of measures, particularly those that improve long-term energy efficiency or involve switching to low-carbon heating.

Final Thoughts

Fuel type is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to boiler grant eligibility. The real determining factors are your income, benefits status, and property condition. So, whether you're on-gas or off-gas, it's worth checking your eligibility if you’re struggling with heating costs or have an outdated system.