What to do if you can't afford a new boiler

Buying and installing a new boiler is expensive, especially if the news comes as a shock to you and you haven’t yet had a chance to put money aside.

Luckily, to help you manage the cost of a new boiler, there are things you can do, including accessing government schemes, spreading the cost, and exploring short-term alternatives to using your boiler.

Grants and funding available to help you pay for a new boiler

The Government offers several boiler grants and schemes to help people stay warm and reduce the nation's carbon emissions. These are specifically designed to help low-income households most at risk of fuel poverty and the effects of the cost of living crisis.

It’s worth noting that the availability of any schemes may change over time, with certain offerings coming to an end each tax year. Be sure to check on the official website for the most up-to-date guidance.

Energy Company Obligation (ECO)

Sometimes known as the free boiler scheme, the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) was initially set up in 2013 and is now in its fourth and final phase, which is set to end on March 31st 2026.

This 'free boiler grant' was set up to help people living in households with an energy performance certificate rating of D-G access funding to pay for things like energy-efficient boilers, cavity wall insulation, and double glazing.

Energy suppliers pay for the ECO scheme, and those eligible for funding can access money to improve their home’s energy efficiency rating.

Local Authority Flex & Delivery Scheme (LADS) funding

Another part of the ECO4 is LA Flex, which allows councils and local authorities to widen the scheme's eligibility criteria to provide support for residents in their areas. Using LA Flex, households can still buy new boilers and take steps to reduce fuel poverty and energy bills.

Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)

This scheme was set up to help people replace an old oil or gas boiler with a new, low-carbon heating system, like a heat pump or biomass boiler.

Depending on the type of appliance you want to buy, you'll either be able to get grants for £7,500 (air or ground source heat pumps) or £5,000 (biomass boiler).

Discover more information about all of these funding schemes and their eligibility criteria in our 'Everything you need to know about boiler grants' guide.

Spreading the cost of your new boiler

If paying for a new boiler in one upfront sum isn’t possible, there are ways you can spread the cost to make it more affordable. 

Using buy now pay later services

Spreading the cost of your boiler using BOXT’s buy now pay later enables you to put down a deposit of between 0-50% on your new boiler, pay nothing for another 12 months, and then spread the remaining cost over 48 months. This gives you time to save and keep your bills manageable while ensuring your home remains warm.

 Getting a new boiler on finance

At BOXT, we’re working to make the home heating and cooling industry fairer and more affordable, one A-rated appliance at a time. One of the ways we do this is by giving you the chance to spread the payment of a new boiler over a period of 12-120 months. 

This enables you to get an A-rated boiler and pay it off in manageable instalments. 

Better still, there’s 0% interest charged when you spread the cost over up to 2 years.

Signing up for a boiler subscription service

With a subscription to BOXT Life, you can get an A-rated boiler installed by a Gas Safe registered engineer, as well as annual servicing and unlimited boiler repairs for £340 per month. That's complete heating and hot water peace of mind for less than the average phone contract. And, the price is fixed for the full 10 years, so there are no price increases to worry about, just one flat rate and a boiler service you can trust. 

What are the signs you need to replace your boiler?

Boiler breakdowns rarely happen out of the blue. Usually, there are telltale signs that something isn’t working as it should, and acting on these promptly can reduce the likelihood of irreparable failures or even prevent the need for a replacement altogether.

Repeated low pressure

Several things, including water leaks or a faulty pressure relief valve, can cause low boiler pressure. Read ‘Why does my boiler pressure keep dropping?’ for guidance on how to check if your boiler pressure has dropped and how to increase pressure to the optimal level.

However, if your boiler's losing pressure quickly, even after repeated repressurising, it may be a sign there's a more severe issue at play. Get in touch with a Gas Safe registered engineer to investigate as soon as possible.

Running out of hot water

Not only is a lack of hot water frustrating, but it may also be a sign that your boiler can't cope with your home's demands. If this is because your family has grown and more people want to use the bathroom, it may be time to consider a new boiler.

If you find that your boiler is on but not providing any hot water, this is also a sign that you might need a replacement. Read our complete guide on what to do if you find yourself with no hot water for more information and potential diagnoses.

Higher than expected energy bills

Modern boilers are much more effective than their predecessors, with all new boilers being condensing and A-rated for energy efficiency. Essentially, this means that for every pound you spend on heating your home, only around 10p is wasted.

However, if you've had your current heating system installed for over 10 years, your boiler could be rated D or lower, meaning it wastes a large amount of energy when working to keep your home warm.

If you've noticed your energy bills getting more expensive, it could be a sign that you have an inefficient boiler, and it may be time to upgrade to a newer, more energy-efficient model.

Check out 7 signs you need to replace your boiler guide for more indicators that it may be time for an upgrade.

Learn more and sign up for our all-in-one boiler subscription.