Do you qualify for Free Central Heating Grants in Wales?
Free Central Heating Systems are available throughout Wales.
We have just (27/5/22) moved from the Eco3 grant scheme to Eco4. And there have been some major changes to the Free First Time Central Heating grant.
Under Eco3, we were able to connect homes to the gas network free of charge, and install a free gas central heating system. Under the new Eco4 grant scheme this will not be possible, unless there was gas at the property before 1/4/22. And, that there has never been a “wet” central heating system at the property, at any point in the past.
This is all a part of the Government’s policy to move away from Mains Gas.
Details of free central heating systems using Air Source Heat Pumps are covered below.
How do I qualify for a free central heating system?
To have a free gas central heating system in Wales, you and your home have to qualify.
You qualify if:
- 1. There has never been a “wet” central heating system at the property, at any point in the past.
- 2. The property must have been connected to the Mains Gas supply before 1/4/22.
- 3. You will not qualify if your property has an EPC rating of A, B or C. If you don’t have an EPC on your property we can arrange for one to be done.
- 4. You are in receipt of a qualifying benefit, or you satisfy the criteria set under the Local Authority Flexible Funding scheme in your area.
- 5. If the walls of the property are cavity walls, then they must be insulated. There are some exceptions.
- 6. If there is a loft space which is assessible, then it must be insulated.
Free Air Source Heat Pump Grants.
The Government’s new “Boiler Upgrade Scheme“
As we have already said, the Government are refusing to fund any more mains gas connections. This is in line with Government policy with regards to fossil fuels.
However, they have made grants available towards the cost of Air Source Heat Pumps, Ground Source Heat Pumps and Biomass Boilers through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS).
There is a limited number of grants available under this scheme, so don’t miss the BUS.
The Government has said that the Boiler Upgrade Scheme from April 2022 is to encourage homeowners to install low carbon heating systems, and that the Grant will help homeowners to overcome the upfront cost of low carbon heating technologies.
NB. We also have access to additional funding for Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP’s) in Wales. This can be used in tandem with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. This should mean that the total cost of installing an ASHP would be covered. *
*To qualify for the additional funding you must satisfy the following criteria
- 1. There has never been a “wet” central heating system at the property, at any point in the past.
- 2. You are in receipt of a qualifying benefit, or you satisfy the criteria set under the Local Authority Flexible Funding scheme in your area.
- 3. If the walls of the property are cavity walls, then they must be insulated. There are exceptions.
- 4. If there is a loft space which is assessible, then it must be insulated.
When will the Boiler Upgrade Scheme Wales start?
- The Boiler Upgrade Scheme from April 2022 to March 2025
- There is enough Boiler Upgrade Scheme Grant funding to install 90,000 Air Source Heat Pumps across England & Wales .
- The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is scheduled to run for 3 years – that’s 30,000 Air Source Heat Pumps per year.
How much is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme Grant?
You would qualify for the following
- You would receive £5,000 off the cost of installing an Air Source Heat Pump. We have access to additional funding for Air Source Heat Pumps. If you qualify for this funding it should cover the shortfall.
- You would receive £5,000 off the cost of installing a Biomass Boiler *
- You would receive £6,000 off the cost of installing a Ground Source Heat Pump**
* The Biomass Boiler is only available in rural areas and in homes that are not connected to the Mains Gas Grid.
** It is possible to connect more than 1 property to a Ground Source Heat Pump. Each property connected would receive the £6,000 grant. However, the cost of installing a Ground Source Heat Pump is in the region of £25,000. So it would take a few homes to be connected to cover that cost.
How do I qualify for a Boiler Upgrade Grant?
You will qualify for a Boiler Upgrade Grant if:
- you live in Wales or England
- you own your property
- your property has an installation capacity up to 45kWth, which covers the vast majority of homes
- your property must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)*. It must not have any outstanding recommendations for loft insulation and/or cavity wall insulation**.
- “New Build” properties will not normally qualify. However, if you are “building your own home”, that will qualify.
- you must be fully replacing your existing fossil fuel system, i.e. Oil, Electric or Gas (including LPG)
*If your property does not have an EPC, we can do one for you.
** There are insulation exemptions.
You will not qualify for a Grant to replace an existing low carbon heating system.
If you want to find out a bit more about Air Source Heat Pumps, this should help. There is also further information with regards to Ground Source Heat Pumps and Biomass Boilers.
Give us a call now on 0800 8 10 10 60 or 07960 799681 and speak to an expert adviser