a BOXT boiler engineer stands next to a white boiler taking a reading

Explore the factors contributing to high gas prices in the UK, how your bill is calculated, and whether analysts predict a rise or fall in gas prices in 2024.

The rise in energy prices in 2022 put many people under a significant financial strain and forced us all to review how much energy we use.
In this guide, we explore why gas prices have increased and what the future could hold for our energy bills as we look ahead to 2024. But first, let's explore how energy prices are calculated and what affects the price of our gas bills.
<h2>How are energy prices calculated?</h2>
Energy prices are made up of different charges, including unit rates, standing charges, and taxes, including VAT.
<ol>
<li>Unit rates are the price charged per unit of electricity or gas, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh).</li>
<li>The standing charge is set by your energy provider and is incurred daily. Essentially, it&rsquo;s what you pay for being connected to the grid. Even if you don't use gas or electricity, you'll still have to pay a standing charge.</li>
</ol>
<h3>What are wholesale energy prices?</h3>
Energy suppliers buy gas and electricity from companies on the wholesale market, and these fees make up about a third of your energy bill.
Wholesale energy prices are based on the global gas and electricity market, meaning they can fluctuate very quickly. Demand also plays a significant role in prices, so gas and electricity prices are typically higher in winter. &nbsp;
<h3>What other factors affect gas prices?</h3>
As well as the wholesale cost of gas and electricity, your energy provider will charge network costs - these contribute to the upkeep of the gas pipes and infrastructure that carry energy into your home or business.
Network costs vary from year to year; e.g. they may be increased to reflect usage or how funds need to be allocated to different parts of the network. Additionally, network costs cover 'balancing' charges, which help to ensure the constant supply and demand for electricity and gas can be accommodated.
Secondly, large suppliers are required to help pay for Government energy policies. These could cover schemes to support energy efficiency improvements and help vulnerable people.
Other costs that will impact your gas bills include:
<ul>
<li>Meter maintenance and installation</li>
<li>Third-party services, including sales commissions</li>
<li>Smart metering programme costs</li>
<li>Administration from data and settlement services</li>
</ul>
<h2>What is the energy price cap?</h2>
The energy price cap was introduced by Ofgem in 2019 and is designed to prevent people from being overcharged on their gas and electricity bills.
The price cap limits what you pay for the gas and electricity you use and sets a maximum daily standing charge. Amongst other things, the energy price cap is based on wholesale prices, but it only applies to the rates, so the more you use, the more you pay.
As of April 1st 2024, the current price cap level is &pound;1,690 per year for an average household paying by direct debit.
If you own your own company, you will already know that business energy prices are not capped and although business energy rates are falling, Government support has also been cut.
<h2>Why are gas and electricity prices so high?</h2>
Despite the energy price cap, prices have fluctuated for several reasons that have all created an array of problems, from Russia invading Ukraine to the energy crisis. These things have all seemingly happened at once, too, and, unfortunately, have impacted our energy bills considerably.
To help you understand why your bills have increased so much, here are the key reasons gas prices are so high.
<h3>Long winters</h3>
Over the last few years, it has felt like winter started in October and lasted right through until March. These longer cold spells have led us all to rely more on our heating. It's not just affected the UK, but the rest of Europe and parts of Asia.
These chillier temperatures have led to increased demand worldwide for gas, which in turn has reduced supplies more quickly.
<h3>The war in Ukraine</h3>
In solidarity with Ukrainians following the Russian invasion in February 2022, many European countries decided to cease purchasing oil and gas from Russia. Until then, Russian supplies accounted for approximately 40% of the EU&rsquo;s oil and gas, meaning countries have been forced to look elsewhere.
This now global supply versus demand deficit has contributed to price increases and caused panic buying, furthering the rate of inflation.
<h3>Increased demand in other countries</h3>
In recent years, Asian nations like China, Japan and South Korea have all bought large quantities of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to reduce their reliance on coal.
Similarly, South American countries have imported significantly more LNG. This increased demand has meant the UK cannot access the same supplies of LNG as it needs to keep prices down.
This combination of problems has increased the demand for gas worldwide, ramping up the pressures on gas exporters and driving up the cost of gas.
<h2>Will energy prices be reduced?</h2>
As the demand for gas reduces during the spring and summer months and we rely on our heating less, the energy price cap will most likely fall to reflect the differences in our heating habits. The price cap is also expected to rise during the winter; however, it is expected to be lower than in recent years.
While it is hard to estimate what will precisely happen to UK energy prices, many experts are forecasting that the energy price cap will fall over the next year. <a href="https://www.cornwall-insight.com/predictions-and-insights-into-the-default-tariff-cap/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Cornwall Insight</a>, for example, has predicted that we could finish 2024 with an energy price cap of &pound;1,521.02, a reduction of over &pound;400 compared to the start of the year.
So, after the financial pressures of the last few years, we may have some good news to look forward to when future energy price cap levels are announced in the coming months.
<h2>How can you keep your energy bills low?</h2>
The first thing you can do is look at how much energy you're currently using and identify improvement areas. This could include spending less time in the shower or boiling the kettle with less water. These changes may seem small, but over a year, they will positively impact your bills.
Additionally, to help you save money on your energy bills, you can:
<ul>
<li>Turn your thermostat down by one degree.</li>
<li>Use a smart meter to track usage and habits.</li>
<li>Invest in thermostatic radiator valves.</li>
<li>Ensure your boiler and heating system is suitable for your home.</li>
<li>Switch to alternative energy sources, e.g. by having <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/solar">solar panels</a> installed.</li>
</ul>
Read our guide for <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/guides/simple-ways-to-save-money-on-your-energy-bills">ten more ways to save money on your energy bills</a>.
Another way you could reduce your gas bills is by investing in a <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/boiler-replacement" rel="follow">new boiler</a>. With higher gas prices, switching to a more energy-efficient appliance could help you save. So, if your boiler's on the blink, use our <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/find-a-boiler/">find a boiler tool</a>, and we could install your new appliance as early as tomorrow.

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Why are gas prices so high?

a BOXT engineer installing a new boiler and filter

Save money on your energy bills with a new boiler, and other tips to keep your bills down and improve your energy efficiency. 

Heating and hot water account for over half of your annual spend on energy bills, and with current energy prices and the cost of living crisis, we&rsquo;re all looking for ways we can be more energy efficient in our homes.
<h2>Cut your bills with a new boiler</h2>
Depending on the efficiency rating of your current&nbsp;<a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers">boiler</a> and the type of home you live in, you could save over &pound;500 a year on your energy bills simply by upgrading to a <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/boiler-replacement" rel="follow">new A rated boiler</a> &ndash; without having to change the way you use it. Have a look at the graphs below to see what you could save based on your circumstances*.
<h3>Detached house</h3>
If you live in a detached house you could save up to &pound;540 a year on your energy bill if you're upgrading from a G-rated to an A-rated boiler &ndash; over a fifth of the cost of the average new boiler installation. And with the added energy-saving technology in the Google Nest Learning Thermostat, which comes in our tech bundle, you could save over &pound;700 per year by upgrading!
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/7PXARXHcSjKOtBAoMCNh" alt="undefined">
<h3>Semi-detached house</h3>
Upgrading your boiler in a semi-detached house could save you &pound;342 annually, a massive 20% of the <a rel="follow" href="https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/new-energy-price-cap-level-starts-today">average UK energy bill</a> which comes in at &pound;1,690 a year. Add to that the 10% saving from using a Google Nest Learning Thermostat, and you could save over &pound;460 a year on your energy bills!&nbsp;&nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/nQY3LcHcSA7amvcbQ3td" alt="undefined">
<h3>Bungalow</h3>
If you live in a detached bungalow, you could save up to &pound;299 a year on your energy bill simply by upgrading your boiler to a new A-rated one, and if you add Google Nest Learning Thermostat to your package, you could save an additional 10% on your energy bills, taking the total savings to over &pound;400 per year!
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/3MH5u4SMRBaKPpUVnu9u" alt="undefined">
<h3>Flat</h3>
Upgrading your boiler in a flat could save you up to &pound;125 a year on your energy bills &ndash; more than the average monthly energy bill for property this size! Plus, with the added energy-saving technology in the Google Nest Learning Thermostat, your annual energy savings could be up to &pound;175 per year.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/yRK6nI1ST22Zvf7VUqjX" alt="undefined">
<h3>Mid-terrace house</h3>
In a mid-terrace house you could see annual savings of up to &pound;280 simply by upgrading to a boiler with an A efficiency rating. Plus, if you add a Google Nest Learning Thermostat, you could save an extra 10% per year on your energy bills, taking the total saved to &pound;380!
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/coZs3ZCKQDWndqErMzve" alt="undefined">
*savings shown based on data from&nbsp;Ofgem for <a href="https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/average-gas-and-electricity-use-explained" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">typical energy consumption</a> and <a href="https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/energy-price-cap" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">energy unit rates</a>, and using data from&nbsp;<a href="https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/9254386?hl=en-GB" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Google</a>&nbsp;on energy saving using a Nest Learning Thermostat
While the cost of a new boiler may seem daunting, rising energy prices mean the savings you make on your energy bill will go a long way to offsetting this and you&rsquo;ll make your money back in energy savings in less time than you might think&hellip;
According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/boilers/article/buying-a-new-boiler/boiler-prices-how-much-does-a-new-boiler-cost" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Which</a>, the average cost of a new gas combi boiler including installation is &pound;2,597 &ndash; so if you live in a detached property and upgrade from a boiler with a grade G efficiency rating, you could have saved back the cost of your new A rated boiler in just over 4 years!
Even better, here at BOXT we offer a range of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/finance" rel="follow">finance options</a>** to help spread the cost of your new boiler, as well as a <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/the-boxt-price-promise">price promise</a>&nbsp;that if you find a like-for-like offer that&rsquo;s cheaper than we&rsquo;ve quoted you, we&rsquo;ll either beat the price or give you a &pound;50 Amazon voucher &ndash; it&rsquo;s win-win!

See how much you could save with a new boiler

Cut your energy bills by up to £60/month with a new boiler & smart thermostat

<h2>Stay on top of the temperature in your home&nbsp;</h2>
<h3>Google Nest Learning Thermostat</h3>
Using smart technology like the Google Nest Learning Thermostat can help with ensuring you aren't wasting any energy on heating your home, as you can set schedules around your usual routine and lifestyle to make sure your heating is only on when someone will be at home. Or, if you're not sure what the best times are to schedule the Nest Learning Thermostat can even learn from your routine and make changes to ensure you're being as energy efficient as possible. Data from Google suggests that you can save up to 10% annually on your energy bills by using a Nest Learning Thermostat! If you don't have a smart thermostat, still make sure you make full use of the thermostat controls to programme your boiler to only come on when you need it.&nbsp;
<h3>Turn the temperature down</h3>
When you do have your heating on, try turning the temperature&nbsp;<a rel="follow" href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/one-degree">one degree</a>&nbsp;lower than you usually would. You could saving over &pound;100 a year on your energy bill without feeling much of a difference, if any! You can also use&nbsp;<a rel="follow" href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/guides/radiator-valves">Thermostatic Radiator Valves</a>&nbsp;(TRVs) to control the temperature in each individual room. Experts recommend some rooms, such as the bedroom, are kept slightly cooler than others, and so by setting different temperatures throughout the home you can make sure there's no energy being wasting keeping rooms warmer than they need to be. Find out more about the ideal temperatures in your home with our&nbsp;<a rel="follow" href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/guides/optimal-boiler-calendar">Optimal Boiler Calendar</a>.&nbsp;
<h3>Check the flow temperature</h3>
You can also control the temperature of the water that's supplied to your radiators and hot water taps directly from the boiler and hot water cylinder, if you have one. If these are currently set pretty high, turning down the flow temperatures can help you make savings on your energy bills without feeling a difference to your comfort levels around the house! If you have a combi boiler, it's important that you don't set the temperature any lower than 55&deg;C, and if you have a system or standard boiler with a separate hot water cylinder then the minimum temperature is 60&deg;C. Any lower than these and there is a risk of bacteria forming which can be hazardous to yours and your family's health.
<h2>How else can you reduce your energy usage?</h2>
<h3>Service your boiler and make savings</h3>
Making sure you get a&nbsp;<a rel="follow" href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/boiler-service">regular boiler service</a> will ensure that it continues to run as efficiently as possible as well as helping to prolong the lifespan of your boiler, so you keep your energy bills low and don't have to think about paying for a new boiler for even longer. With our&nbsp;<a rel="follow" href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/home-cover">Service plan</a> you can spread the cost of your service and we'll arrange it for you, so once you've had your new boiler installed you can sit back and relax safe in the knowledge we've got you covered.&nbsp;
<h3>Get a system flush and install a filter</h3>
Having a&nbsp;<a rel="follow" href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/guides/magnetic-boiler-filters">magnetic filter</a>&nbsp;installed, if you don't have one already, will help keep your system clean and running efficiently as possible, as well as getting a&nbsp;<a rel="follow" href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/guides/power-flush">system flush</a>&nbsp;to give your system a really good deep clean. With BOXT when you get a&nbsp;<a rel="follow" href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/boiler-replacement">new boiler</a>&nbsp;we perform a chemical system flush and install a filter as standard.&nbsp;
<h3>Benefit from a smart meter</h3>
Installing a smart meter can help you better understand your energy usage - so you know when you're using the most energy, and which appliances are the biggest culprits of driving up your energy bill. Once you know this, you can look at ways you can makes small day-to-day changes to use less energy and keep your bills down.
<h3>Top up the&nbsp;insulation</h3>
Insulating&nbsp;elements of your heating system such as&nbsp;<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/insulating-tanks-pipes-and-radiators/" data-sk="tooltip_parent" delay="150" data-stringify-link="https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/insulating-tanks-pipes-and-radiators/" target="_blank">water tank, pipes and radiators</a> is a quick and easy way to save money on your bills, as well as ensuring your roof, wall and floor insulation are up to scratch. Plus, with the Government charging <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-the-vat-treatment-of-the-installation-of-energy-saving-materials-in-in-great-britain" data-sk="tooltip_parent" delay="150" data-stringify-link="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-the-vat-treatment-of-the-installation-of-energy-saving-materials-in-in-great-britain" target="_blank">0%&nbsp;VAT&nbsp;on energy saving materials</a> like insulation until 2027, as well as the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/apply-great-british-insulation-scheme" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Great British Insulation Scheme</a> offering financial support, now is a great time to invest.

Get a quote for your new boiler with next-day installation available

**finance options are subject to status, T&amp;Cs apply.

How much energy can you save with a new boiler?

The Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM) is a Government policy that aims to improve energy efficiency in the home to meet carbon emission targets. 

A new government policy, known as the Clean Heat Market Mechanism, has seen many boiler manufacturers increase their prices from 1st January 2024. You might have heard this price increase being referred to as a new &lsquo;boiler tax&rsquo; or &lsquo;boiler levy&rsquo;.
The price increase is as a result of the government setting targets to increase the number of ground and air source heat pumps installations, and manufacturers who fail to meet these targets will be fined. To combat the anticipated fines, some manufacturers have increased their prices for customers from January 2024. However, following initial industry response, there has been speculation around whether the policy will go ahead from April, but no formal announcement has been made by the government.
<h2>What is the Clean Heat Market Mechanism? (CHMM)</h2>
The Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM) is a government policy that aims to improve energy efficiency in the home to meet carbon emission targets. The focus of the policy is to increase the installation of ground and air source heat pumps as an alternative to gas and oil heating systems.&nbsp;
<h2>How does the Clean Heat Market Mechanism work?</h2>
The Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM) is due to start in April 2024. Manufacturers such as Worcester Bosch will earn &lsquo;credits&rsquo; for heat pump installations and have a minimum number of &lsquo;credits&rsquo; that they need to achieve or face fines. Each manufacturer&rsquo;s target will vary as it will be relative to the number of gas and oil boilers they sell, and if the target is not met, then the manufacturer will be fined &pound;3,000 per missing credit by the government.&nbsp;
<h2>What is the Clean Heat Market Mechanism levy?</h2>
Many manufacturers, including Worcester Bosch, Baxi and Vaillant, have confirmed that, as a result of potential impending fines as a result of this policy, from 1st January 2024 there has been price increases across their boiler ranges - in some cases by as much as &pound;120 per boiler. This is widely being referred to as a Clean Heat Market Mechanism levy (CHMM levy), or "boiler tax".&nbsp;
Leading manufacturers have commented that these price increases are based on demand in the UK heat pump market not yet being at a sufficient scale to meet the government's proposed targets, meaning it's inevitable that manufacturers will face fines.
<h2>What does the Clean Heat Market Mechanism mean for UK households?</h2>
Despite the policy being designed to place more accountability on boiler manufacturers to increase sales of heat pumps, it is also impacting UK households who are looking to upgrade their heating system.&nbsp;
Mel Butler, Founder of BOXT, said: &ldquo;Whilst the move to cleaner heating in the UK is something we are absolutely supportive of, the people who are ultimately paying with this policy is homeowners. In particular, lower income households looking to upgrade their old boiler to a new, more energy efficient one to help save on energy bills, are now facing as much as a 10% price increase on entry level models. This creates a substantial financial barrier that could result in customers opting for a less efficient or reliable boiler with a shorter warranty to help reduce the initial outlay, but is likely to ultimately cost them more in the long run in maintenance, repairs, and potentially having to replace it again sooner."

<h2>Why was the Clean Heat Market Mechanism introduced?</h2>
The Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM) has been introduced as around half of the UK&rsquo;s natural gas usage comes from heating homes and commercial buildings. Policymakers hope this reduction will lower the UK's carbon emissions and positively impact on climate change to meet global targets.
Reducing the use of fossil fuels such as gas and oil to heat the home is seen as an important step to help reach the government's Net Zero 2050 commitment. In order to meet this, the government has set a target of 600,000 heat pumps to be installed each year by 2028. However, <a href="https://post.parliament.uk/research-briefings/post-pn-0699/">in 2022 there were only 72,000 heat pumps installed</a> in the UK, and despite grant funding of up to &pound;7,500 now being provided, there were only 28,000 installations in the first 9 months of 2023. The level of demand for heat pumps vs their targets is adding to the pressure on the government to reach the number of installations they need, in the next 5 years.
The introduction of the Clean Heat Market Mechanism means that the government is asking manufacturers of heating appliances to meet government targets for the number of heat pumps the manufacturers sell, relative to the number of gas or oil boilers they also sell, with fines if manufacturers fall short of these heat pump targets.&nbsp;
The government&rsquo;s focus on ground and air source heat pumps is now supported by grants of up to &pound;7,500 via the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) since October 2023. However, whilst the CHMM counts the installation of hybrid heat pumps towards its targets, the BUS grants available don&rsquo;t yet cover hybrid heat pump systems in England and Wales, financial support is only available for hybrid heat pumps in Scotland.
<h2>Should I get a new boiler or a heat pump?&nbsp;</h2>
There is a lot of noise in the press and from the government about the most cost efficient and energy efficient way to upgrade your heating system. Ultimately, it&rsquo;s about getting the best product for your home at the best price.&nbsp;
<h3>Should I get a new heat pump?&nbsp;</h3>
Ground or air source pumps are definitely more pocket friendly than they used to be, due to the government funding (BUS) however, they are not suitable for every home in the UK. They work differently to a traditional gas/oil boiler system in heating the home with lower operating temperatures and are at their most energy and cost efficient in well insulated or &lsquo;new build&rsquo; type homes that have large radiators, solar panels or underfloor heating. Most of the older homes in the UK are not as well suited to the wider heating system it requires and drafts and poor or old insulation might result in an inefficient heating output.&nbsp;
<h3>What is a hybrid heat pump?</h3>
Another great option for those that are looking at heat pumps but live in less insulated, older homes that might not get the most efficient output, should look at a <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/guides/what-is-hybrid-heating">hybrid heat pump</a>. This heating system uses a highly efficient combination of a hybrid heat pump and a boiler to power the heating system that connects into the home's existing gas pipes. Daikin&rsquo;s hybrid heat pump intuitively switches between heat pump only, heat pump and gas combined or gas only depending on which is the most cost effective at the time, to keep efficiency high and costs low.&nbsp;
<h3>Should I get a new boiler?</h3>
When it comes to a new boiler, for those homes that aren&rsquo;t well insulated or a non-new build, upgrading your old boiler to a <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers">new boiler</a> could be the most cost-effective option, and by upgrading your old boiler it could still help to <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/boiler-energy-saving">save over &pound;550 a year on energy bills</a> through improved efficiency.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/january-price-freeze-terms-and-conditions" rel="follow">*Terms and Conditions apply.</a>

What is the Clean Heat Market Mechanism? (CHMM)

Our experts at BOXT have analysed data from the Child Poverty Action Group and the UK government to reveal the state of fuel poverty in England.

Since the energy crisis began in the Autumn of 2021, the proportion of fuel-poor houses in the UK has absolutely sky-rocketed. According to the Child Poverty Action Group, in 2019/2020, 19.2% of UK households were fuel-poor; by <a href="https://cpag.org.uk/news-blogs/news-listings/fuel-poverty-estimates-uk">January 2023 this had increased to 55.8%.</a>
Households now living in fuel poverty have impossible choices to make, which usually result in going hungry or slipping into debt. The average <a href="https://www.endfuelpoverty.org.uk/surge-in-energy-disconnections-and-debt/">electricity bill debt in the UK is around &pound;1,214</a>. Whilst the government did put vital energy crisis support in place last winter, more than <a href="https://www.nea.org.uk/news/vulnerable-households-missed-out/">one million eligible households </a>missed out on this crucial support. According to the chief executive of the National Energy Action, around &pound;440 million went back into the treasury when it should have gone to households struggling with the cost of energy. Furthermore, according to The Trussel Trust, over <a href="https://www.trusselltrust.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/02/The-Trussell-Trust-Fuel-Poverty-Briefing.pdf">90% of food banks in their network had people referred to them who were experiencing fuel poverty</a>. And four in five food banks in their network identified fuel poverty as a significant concern. Our experts at BOXT have analysed data from the Child Poverty Action Group and the UK government to reveal the state of fuel poverty in England. We have looked at the regions in the UK that are most affected by fuel poverty, as well as offering a breakdown of fuel poverty by house type, income, and what fuel your <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers">boiler</a> uses for England.
Key findings:&nbsp;
&bull;&nbsp;Much of Northern England is worst affected by fuel poverty, as the North East, North West, and Merseyside, and Yorkshire &amp; the Humber all have fuel poverty rates above 67%.&nbsp;
&bull;&nbsp;Residents of converted flats suffer fuel poverty more than residents of other property types, at a rate of 24.82%.&nbsp;
&bull;&nbsp;The fuel poverty gap for fuel-poor residents of detached houses is around &pound;702, almost double the average UK fuel poverty gap of &pound;337.&nbsp;
&bull; Houses fueled by electricity have the highest rate of fuel-poor households, with a rate of around 21%.&nbsp;

Andy Kerr, Founder at BOXT, comments:
&ldquo;It is sadly unsurprising but, nonetheless, shocking that such a high proportion of people in the UK are living in fuel poverty.&nbsp;
&ldquo;This year, the UK government will be offering some help to those struggling to pay their energy bills. The Winter Fuel Payment scheme, a one-off payment of up to &pound;600, is available to those born before September 25, 1957. There is also the Warm Home Discount Scheme, which is expected to run again this year, offering a one-off &pound;150 discount to those eligible.
&ldquo;That being said, it is clear that the support offered by the government is not enough to help most households, as the cost of living is still high in other areas too. We need to prioritise the development of long-term solutions to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and make more sustainable energy solutions more accessible and affordable for households in the UK.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<h3></h3>
<h2>Regions in the UK worst affected by fuel poverty</h2>
The Low-Income Low Energy Efficiency indicator measures fuel poverty in England. A household is considered fuel-poor if the property they live in has an energy efficiency rating of band D or below, and when they spend the required amount to heat their home, they are left with a residual income below the official poverty threshold. The threshold for fuel poverty is defined as spending ten percent or more of the total income after housing costs on fuel.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/DLf0qqQqQLqSSb5V3f5I" alt="undefined">
1. North East
Estimated % of households in fuel poverty: 73.1%
The North East of England is the region worst affected by fuel poverty, as almost three-quarters of households are expected to be fuel-poor by April 2024. This is a massive increase of one quarter (25%) on the estimations from the year prior when 58.6% of households were predicted to be fuel-poor by the start of 2023.

2. Northern Ireland
Estimated % of households in fuel poverty: 71.6%
Coming in as the region with the second-highest level of fuel poverty in the UK, we have Northern Ireland. Current estimations predict that 71.6% of the country&rsquo;s households are fuel-poor, a 0.14% decrease from the previous year's estimations.

3. Scotland
Estimated % of households in fuel poverty: 70.1%
Scotland is the third-worst fuel poverty-affected region in the UK, with 70.1% of households predicted to be fuel-poor by April 2024. This represents a 14% increase from the predictions made the year prior, which stated that 61.5% of households would be fuel-poor in Scotland by January 2023.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/gfCzVpjCQUSoYbHCoqK9" alt="undefined">
<h2>Regions in England with the largest fuel poverty gap</h2>
The fuel poverty gap is the reduction in required fuel bills that the average fuel-poor household needs to be no longer classed as fuel-poor. The following estimates on the fuel poverty gap in each region of the UK are taken from government data relating to fuel poverty in 2022 and how the situation has changed since the previous year.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/mNWsItyjRfGYGDtyfSOR" alt="undefined">
1. South West
Average fuel poverty gap: &pound;521
The South West of England, home to Bournemouth and Bristol, is the region with the country's most significant fuel poverty gap. As the latest data shows, the fuel-poor households in the area would need a &pound;521 reduction in energy bills to no longer be considered fuel-poor. This gap is 54% higher than the &pound;338 average for all of England. The fuel poverty gap in the South West has increased by almost half (48%) from 2021.

2. North West
Average fuel poverty gap: &pound;442
The area in England with the second-highest fuel poverty gap is the North West. Fuel-poor households in this region would need a &pound;442 reduction in energy bills per household to no longer be fuel-poor, which is almost a third (31%) higher than the average for England. In 2021, the fuel poverty gap in the North West was &pound;347, meaning that it has increased by 27% in 2022.

3. East
Average fuel poverty gap: &pound;435
And rounding out the top three areas in England with the highest fuel poverty gap, we have the East of England, which includes cities such as Cambridge, Luton and Peterborough. This area&rsquo;s fuel-poor households would need a &pound;435, which is 29% higher than England&rsquo;s average, reduction in fuel spending to no longer be considered as such. The year prior, the East of England had a fuel poverty gap of &pound;248, meaning that in 2022 the gap increased by 75%. This can largely be attributed to the skyrocketing energy prices the UK had endured in late 2022.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/8AQ741U9RUabewmEeyN0" alt="undefined">
<h2>Property types in England most affected by fuel poverty</h2>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/zB144eB6SO6wvt0UpQ7F" alt="undefined">
1. Converted flat
Proportion of fuel-poor households: 24.82%
The property type with the highest proportion of fuel-poor households in 2022 was converted flats, with 24.82% of families living in this property type in England being fuel-poor. This is over 10% higher than the average for properties in England, which is 13.4%.

2. End-terrace
Proportion of fuel-poor households: 19.81%
End-terrace houses are the property type with the second highest proportion of fuel-poor households as of 2022. Somewhat similar to semi-detached houses in that you are only connected to one other house, they are classified differently due to their terraced status. Of the people in England who reside in this property type, 19.81% are fuel-poor.

3. Mid-terrace
Proportion of fuel-poor households: 15.38%
The property type with the third-highest proportion of fuel-poor households is mid-terraced houses. These houses are essentially any house on a terrace, except for the two on the end; they are connected to another house on both sides. As of 2022, 15.38% of mid-terraced houses are fuel-poor.

<h2>Property types in England with the largest fuel poverty gap</h2>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/gvv5KU6DRpmp639zrnEI" alt="undefined">
1. Detached
Average fuel poverty gap: &pound;702
By far, detached houses have the most significant fuel poverty gap amongst property types in England. Fuel-poor households living in detached houses would need a &pound;702 reduction in energy bills, as of 2022, not to be considered fuel-poor. This gap is 108% higher than the average fuel-poor gap in England.

2. Converted flat
Average fuel poverty gap: &pound;436&nbsp;
Converted flats, the property type with the highest proportion of fuel-poor households, have the second-highest fuel poverty gap. For fuel-poor families living in this property type to no longer be fuel-poor, they would need a &pound;436 reduction to their energy bills, as of 2022, 29% higher than the average.

3. End-terrace
Average fuel poverty gap: &pound;309
The property type with the third-highest fuel-poor gap is end-terraced houses. Fuel-poor households in this property type would need a &pound;309 energy bill reduction as of 2022 to escape fuel poverty. This is 9% lower than England's average fuel-poor gap of &pound;338.

<h2>England fuel poverty by central heating fuel type</h2>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/zRRq1ZCXRr6LMjBxsMyQ" alt="undefined">
1. Electricity
Proportion of fuel-poor households: 20.9%
Households with electrically fueled central heating have England's highest proportion of fuel-poor households. Almost 21% of homes that are primarily fuelled by electricity are fuel-poor. Electricity is the second-most common energy source for central heating in England, with 5.64% of households using this energy source.

2. Oil
Proportion of fuel-poor households: 19.4%
Oil is the fuel type with the second highest proportion of fuel-poor households in England, with 19.4% of households using this fuel type for their central heating are fuel-poor. It is England's third-most commonly used fuel source for central heating, with 3.51% of all households using it.

3. Other
Proportion of fuel-poor households: 12.5%
Other fuel sources have the third highest proportion of fuel-poor households. This includes families that use propane, community heating systems and solid fuels, such as wood and house coal. More than 12% of households that use other fuel sources to heat their homes are fuel-poor, though only 3.06% of all households in England with central heating use it, making it the least commonly used.

<h2>England fuel poverty gap by central heating fuel type</h2>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/6p3HBv9QdOBtH0p93Zg5" alt="undefined">
1. Other
Average fuel poverty gap: &pound;1,508
The central heating fuel type with England's largest fuel poverty gap is all fuel sources regarded as other. This fuel type often includes homes that use heating oil, smokeless fuel like house coal and anthracite nuts, propane, or community heating either from a CHP or waste heat heating system. Fuel-poor households with other fuel as their primary source of central heating fuel would need a &pound;1,508 energy bill reduction to no longer be fuel-poor. This gap is 383% higher than England&rsquo;s average of &pound;312.

2. Oil
Average fuel poverty gap: &pound;801
Oil is the fuel type with England's second-largest fuel poverty gap. Fuel-poor households using this fuel type need a &pound;801 energy bill reduction to no longer be classed as such; this is 157% higher than England&rsquo;s average fuel poverty gap.

3. Electricity
Average fuel poverty gap: &pound;636
And rounding out the top three, we have electricity as the fuel source with the third-highest fuel poverty gap. This shouldn&rsquo;t come as a surprise with how much the cost of electricity has increased for England and the rest of the UK. As such, fuel-poor households using electricity as their main energy source would need a &pound;636 bill reduction to escape fuel poverty. This is 104% higher than England&rsquo;s average fuel poverty gap.

Methodology -&nbsp;
Using the UK Government &ldquo;<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fuel-poverty-detailed-tables-2023-2022-data">Fuel poverty detailed tables 2023 (2022 data)</a>&rdquo; dataset, we were able to source fuel poverty gaps by region (Table 6), property type (table 7) and primary fuel source (table 13). We also sourced the proportion of households in fuel poverty by property type and primary fuel source. For the estimated proportion of households that are fuel-poor by region in the UK, we used the Child Poverty Action Group &ldquo;<a href="https://cpag.org.uk/news-blogs/news-listings/fuel-poverty-estimates-april-2023-following-autumn-statement-including">Fuel Poverty Estimates For April 2023 Following The Autumn Statement, Including Social Security Mitigations</a>&rdquo;. We then ranked each region, property type and primary fuel source on their proportion of fuel-poor households and their fuel poverty gap.

Fuel Poverty Report

BOXT Gas Safe Registered technician stands next to van outside a home

Read about our boiler cover plans and why they are important when protecting your home. 

<h2>What is boiler cover?</h2>
During the cold winter months, all sorts of problems with your <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers" rel="follow">boiler</a> can arise - such as the dreaded frozen condensate pipe. This can cause leaks, blockages, and all sorts of headaches that can lead to callout and repair costs adding up.&nbsp;
If your <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers">boiler</a> or heating system breaks down, boiler cover or central heating insurance will cover the expense of calling an engineer to repair it. Some insurance companies will make you pay for the callout fee, as well as parts and labour - if your boiler then needs further work.&nbsp;
<h2>BOXT Home Cover Service plan</h2>
Our busy lives can make remembering to book an annual service easy to forget. When you get your <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/boiler-servicing" rel="follow">boiler serviced</a>, it keeps your warranty valid and up to date. If you don&rsquo;t and your boiler does break down, repairing it may cost you a fair bit as you won&rsquo;t be able to have the manufacturer come out and <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/boiler-repair">repair it</a> for free.
This is one of the many advantages of choosing <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/home-cover" rel="follow">BOXT boiler cover</a>. Once you sign up, you don&rsquo;t need to worry about remembering a thing. When the time comes for your annual service, we contact you, offer dates that fit around your busy life and book you in.<a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/home-cover%5C"></a>
<h2>Who needs boiler cover?&nbsp;</h2>
If you&rsquo;re a homeowner or a landlord then you&rsquo;ll definitely need to consider getting boiler cover if you don&rsquo;t already. Not only does it provide you with peace of mind in the colder months, but boiler cover gives your property the ultimate protection. For any boiler nuisances, staying protected gives you the support you need during these stressful moments.&nbsp;
<h3>Boiler cover for homeowners</h3>
Whilst it&rsquo;s not a requirement by law, making sure your boiler is covered as a homeowner is a wise investment. If something was to go wrong with your boiler or central heating system, you&rsquo;ll be paying a lot less in call-out charges, on top of labour, parts and repairs if you have suitable cover in place.&nbsp;
<h3>Boiler cover for landlords</h3>
As a landlord, it is important not only to keep on top of all the appliances in your rented accommodation but to also make sure they are protected should something go wrong. Not only for your peace of mind but for the tenants too. By ensuring the home is habitable and problems are dealt with efficiently - ensures happy tenants.&nbsp;

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Boiler cover - why is it important?

Are you Interested in learning more about air source heat pumps? Read our in depth guide to find out everything you need to know about air source heat pumps. 

If you're on a mission to live a more eco-conscious lifestyle, or if you&rsquo;re simply looking for alternative ways to heat your home, you may have heard of heat pumps.&nbsp;
Air source heat pumps are just one of the types of heat pump available in the UK. But what are air source heat pumps, and how do they work?&nbsp;
Whether you're looking to do your bit to help the environment or on the hunt for new methods of heating your home, we'll tell you everything you need to know about air source heat pumps in this guide.
<h2>What are air source heat pumps?</h2>
Air source heat pumps (ASHP) help transfer heat from outside air into your home. The air is compressed and used to generate more heat which can circulate around your central heating systems.
This low-carbon method comes in two forms: air-to-water and air-to-air.
<ul>
<li>Air-to-water refers to heat being generated to produce hot water for your radiators, showers, underfloor heating and any other appliance that uses water.</li>
<li>Air-to-air, on the other hand, refers to heat being directly transferred into the home via a fan or air conditioning system.</li>
</ul>
Air source pumps also come in types: monobloc and split. A monobloc is a bit like a combi boiler and is literally a &lsquo;single block&rsquo; system, where the heat pump has all of its components (apart from the hot water cylinder which is installed in the home) located inside a heat pump unit situated outside the home. A split heat pump unit, however, has both an outside unit, which incorporates the heat exchanger and refrigerant, and an internal unit, which sits inside the property, usually in a utility or boiler room.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h2>How do air source heat pumps work?</h2>
Much like a refrigerator, air source heat pumps use electricity to absorb heat from the air and use it to generate heat for the home, but how does it all actually work?
1. Air blows into the heat pump. Inside the heat pump is a heat exchanger and a refrigerant which helps absorb heat from the air. This heat is warm enough to turn the refrigerant liquid into a gas. This gas is then compressed to increase the temperature.
2. This compressed gas is then transferred over to the cool air/water to make it warm. It will then circulate around your home, heating radiators and providing hot water.
3. Once enough heat has been transferred, the refrigerant will condense back to a cool liquid for the cycle to repeat again.
<h2>The pros and cons of air source heat pumps</h2>
If you're unsure about whether air source heat pumps are a valuable investment, here are a few advantages and disadvantages for having them help heat your home:
<h3>The pros of air source heat pumps</h3>
Air source heat pumps are able to provide homeowners several benefits. These include:
<h4 role="presentation">1. Environmentally-friendly heating</h4>
Since you'll be using outside air to generate heat for your home, air source heat pumps can help reduce your carbon footprint. In comparison to fossil fuels like oil and natural gas (and, in some instances, electrical energy that has been generated through unsustainable means), air is a fully renewable energy source.
<h4 role="presentation">2. Help with reducing energy bills</h4>
It&rsquo;s not only your carbon footprint that air source heat pumps can reduce, though, they can also help to bring your home&rsquo;s energy bills down. As the name suggests, air source heat pumps operate using the outside ambient air temperatures to meet your heating and cooling needs. This means you won&rsquo;t be reliant on more traditional energy sources, many of which are becoming increasingly expensive. Whilst the upfront costs of getting an air source heat pump will be significantly higher than those of a boiler, it&rsquo;s possible that it could save you money in the long run.
<h4 role="presentation">3. Government funding</h4>
In an effort to make homes more sustainable, the UK government has introduced a Boiler Upgrade Scheme. This allows participants to receive &pound;5,000 towards the upfront costs of an air source heat pump.&nbsp;
Just bear in mind that after applying for a voucher through this scheme, you must redeem it within three months or else it will expire. So, if you receive a voucher through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme at the beginning of May, you will need to have organised for your new air source heat pump to be installed by the beginning of August.
<h4 role="presentation">4. Ability to heat and cool your home</h4>
Air source heat pumps aren&rsquo;t just used for heating your home, though, they can also be used to provide much-needed air conditioning during the summer months, too!
With temperatures reaching record-breaking highs in recent years (a trend that shows no signs of slowing), more and more of us are looking to install air conditioning systems in our homes.
Not all air source heat pumps are able to operate as cooling systems, though, so you&rsquo;ll need to check your make and model carefully in order to be sure that it will be able to provide air conditioning.&nbsp;
<h4 role="presentation">5. No fuel tanks</h4>
Since you're using outside air, there is no need for fuel tanks or storage. If you were using biofuels, for instance, you would need to have large stores of organic fuels sitting outside or close to your home in order to keep your central heating system operating properly.
<h3>The cons of an air source heat pump:</h3>
Despite their environmental benefits, air source heat pumps aren&rsquo;t always a perfect solution to your home&rsquo;s heating requirements. Let&rsquo;s take a look at some of the disadvantages of getting a heat pump installed in your home.
<h4 role="presentation">1. Installation can be expensive</h4>
Air source heat pumps are considerably more expensive to install than traditional gas or oil boilers. On average, installation costs range from &pound;8000 all the way to &pound;18,000 - a great deal more than the &pound;1000 to &pound;2000 it typically costs to install a boiler.
This means that, for many homeowners, the cost of installing a heat pump is simply unaffordable, even with a government grant.
<h4 role="presentation">2. Low heat supply</h4>
Compared to oil and gas boilers, air source heat pumps don&rsquo;t produce as much heat at the same rate. This means that the water running through your home&rsquo;s radiators or underfloor heating won&rsquo;t be as hot as if it were produced by a boiler.
In larger homes especially, the reduced heating capabilities of ASHP systems tend to mean that more or larger radiators are required.
<h4 role="presentation">3. Good insulation needed</h4>
In order to maximise the potential of your air source heat pump, you'll need to ensure your home is well-insulated. If heat can escape easily via windows and doors, you&rsquo;ll end up using more energy than you need to in order to keep your home warm. This, in turn, will see your energy bills increase beyond what might otherwise be the estimated costs.
4. They lose efficiency in temperatures below 0&deg;C
ASHPs can work at lower temperatures but they will lose efficiency as a result. This means that, if the ambient air temperature falls below freezing, an air source heat pump may struggle to provide enough heat for your home.&nbsp;
Of course, this is a bigger problem in the winter months when the UK&rsquo;s weather regularly drops below 0&deg;C and could lead to homeowners relying on ASHPs needing to install additional heating methods to meet their hot water requirements.
<h4 role="presentation">5. They can sometimes be a tad noisy</h4>
This sound from an air source heat pump is produced by the fan moving air to the heat exchanger. It&rsquo;s usually only the same volume as a fridge, however, if the fan is working extra hard, it can be noisier.
This issue, however, is something engineers are looking to improve upon in the coming years.
<h4 role="presentation">6. UK homes aren't designed for them</h4>
UK homes were not built for ASHPs. Since the vast majority of UK homes use a gas boiler, the air source heat pump installation process can be complex to ensure they can be used effectively to heat your home.&nbsp;
You need to consider the amount of plumbing that will need to be replaced as well as having sufficient space to store your water tank.
<h2>Is it worth getting an air source heat pump?</h2>
Now you know the what, why and how of air source heat pumps, let&rsquo;s weigh up whether or not getting one is the right choice for your home.&nbsp;
Being such a big investment, there are a lot of factors you'll need to consider before installing an ASHP, including:
<ul>
<li>Cost:&nbsp;First and foremost for many of us will be the cost considerations of a new central heating system. Air source heat pumps certainly aren&rsquo;t cheap, so you must do the maths before deciding to purchase one in order to work out whether it&rsquo;s going to be worthwhile financially. In the table below, we&rsquo;ve outlined the average costs of all the elements required for an ASHP heating system.</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 86.5672%; height: 419px; border-width: 1px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 33.3333%;"><col style="width: 33.3333%;"><col style="width: 33.3333%;"></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19.5938px;">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 19.5938px;">Item</td>
<td style="text-align: center; height: 19.5938px;">Cost range</td>
<td style="text-align: center; height: 19.5938px;">Average cost</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5938px;">
<td style="height: 19.5938px; text-align: center;">Supply air source heat pump: Air-to-water (5kw - 17kw)</td>
<td style="height: 19.5938px; text-align: center;">&pound;4,000 - &pound;8,000</td>
<td style="height: 19.5938px; text-align: center;">&pound;6,000</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5938px;">
<td style="height: 19.5938px; text-align: center;">Install air source heat pump: Air-to-water</td>
<td style="height: 19.5938px; text-align: center;">&pound;5,000 - &pound;10,000</td>
<td style="height: 19.5938px; text-align: center;">&pound;7,500</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5938px;">
<td style="height: 19.5938px; text-align: center;">Supply and install air-to-air air source heat pump (heating capacity 5kW)</td>
<td style="height: 19.5938px; text-align: center;">&pound;1,600 - &pound;3,100</td>
<td style="height: 19.5938px; text-align: center;">&pound;2,350</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5938px;">
<td style="height: 19.5938px; text-align: center;">Option - upgrade to larger radiators (assume 10 in property)</td>
<td style="height: 19.5938px; text-align: center;">&pound;1,000 - &pound;3,000</td>
<td style="height: 19.5938px; text-align: center;">&pound;2,000</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5938px;">
<td style="height: 19.5938px; text-align: center;">Option - underfloor heating throughout</td>
<td style="height: 19.5938px; text-align: center;">&pound;5,000 - &pound;15,000</td>
<td style="height: 19.5938px; text-align: center;">&pound;10,000</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5938px;">
<td style="height: 19.5938px; text-align: center;">Option - replace all heating system pipework (i.e. microbore to larger diameter)</td>
<td style="height: 19.5938px;"></td>
<td style="height: 19.5938px; text-align: center;">&pound;2,000</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5938px;">
<td style="height: 19.5938px; text-align: center;">Upgraded insulation - cavity wall</td>
<td style="height: 19.5938px; text-align: center;">&pound;500 - &pound;1,000</td>
<td style="height: 19.5938px; text-align: center;">&pound;750</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5938px;">
<td style="height: 19.5938px; text-align: center;">Upgraded insulation in roof (blanket roll)</td>
<td style="height: 19.5938px; text-align: center;">&pound;500 - &pound;1,000</td>
<td style="height: 19.5938px; text-align: center;">&pound;750</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5938px;">
<td style="height: 19.5938px; text-align: center;">
Upgraded floor insulation
</td>
<td style="height: 19.5938px; text-align: center;">&pound;1,000 - &pound;5,000</td>
<td style="height: 19.5938px; text-align: center;">&pound;3,000</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
With the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, however, 90,000 homes in the UK can save around &pound;5,960.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Insulation: You need to make sure your home is well-insulated, otherwise your home might not be able to retain the heat that your air source heat pump generates. Poor insulation can lead to higher energy bills if not addressed.</li>
<li>Size: Will your ASHP be able to provide enough heat and hot water for your home given its size? Smaller and more compact spaces will benefit from air source heat pumps much more than larger homes, with the latter typically needing to supplement the hot water generated by a heat pump with additional electric or gas-powered heaters.</li>
<li>Space: Air source heat pumps can be quite large pieces of kit, so you&rsquo;ll need to assess whether you actually have enough outside space to fit the unit. As it&rsquo;s usually smaller properties that are best suited to ASHPs, this issue becomes all the more acute since they will likely have smaller garden areas and smaller interior rooms, too.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h2>How can the Boiler Upgrade Scheme help with funding an air source heat pump?</h2>
In an effort to reduce carbon in our homes, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) provides grants and funding for 90,000 homes in the UK to install environmentally friendly devices.&nbsp;
Property owners can apply for a &pound;5,000 grant to pay for the installation of an air source heat pump.&nbsp;
If you&rsquo;re looking for ways to save and want to reduce the threat of climate change, the BUS is a great service you should definitely consider using.&nbsp;
<h2>Help keep your house warm with BOXT</h2>
If you&rsquo;re looking for ways to make your home heating system more efficient, an air source heat pump working alongside a new boiler is a great investment.&nbsp;
At BOXT we&rsquo;re always here to look after our customers&rsquo; needs. Check out our <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/boiler-replacement">boiler replacement</a> services or <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/boiler-repair" rel="follow">book a repair</a> and we could be at your home as quickly as the very next day.&nbsp;

Air source heat pumps: Everything you need to know

If you’re interested in learning more about how your local government supported residents via the Energy Bills Support Scheme, we’ll explore some of the most helpful local councils in the UK.

<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/naQLmjCStygnvIeKgSKP" alt="undefined">
When it comes to managing household finances, energy bills can be a significant expense. Alongside high energy costs and unpredictable weather conditions, keeping your home warm and comfortable can quickly become difficult.
As a response to anxiety around energy bills, last year the UK Government introduced the Energy Bills Support Scheme. Those who are eligible receive a &pound;400 discount to help with their energy bill. The Government also price capped energy bills at an average &pound;2,500 until July 2023, however, many are still struggling.
To combat this, many local governments across the country stepped up to provide support and relief to their residents in terms of <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/home-cover">home cover</a>, including the maintenance and replacement of <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers">boilers</a>.
If you&rsquo;re interested in learning more about how your local government supported residents, we&rsquo;ll explore some of the most helpful local councils in the UK.
We&rsquo;ll also highlight the various schemes and programs they offered to support their resident&rsquo;s energy needs as well as valuable information and resources to help you save money and live sustainably.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/v1r94ky4TtqIHoZKMKWQ" alt="undefined">
1 - Cornwall
County: South West
Payments delivered per 100,000 people: 225,451
Cornwall takes first place as the most helpful local authority having delivered a total of 225,451 payments per 100,000 people from October 2022 to February 2023 for the Energy Bills Support Scheme.
On its government site, Cornwall also lists several useful resources supporting rising energy costs. This includes additional information on extra financial help such as the warm home discount scheme offering a one-of payment of &pound;150.

2 - Dorset
County: South West
Payments delivered per 100,000 people: 212,666
Dorset follows behind with an estimated 212,666 payments delivered per 100,000 people. Those in receipt of the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding received a payment of &pound;400. According to Dorset&rsquo;s Council, this includes residents living in park homes, houseboats or off the electricity grid among other factors.

3 - Brighton and Hove
County: South East
Payments delivered per 100,000 people: 211,802
Brighton and Hove&rsquo;s local authority completes the top three of the most helpful local governments with a total of 211,802 payments delivered per 100,000 people.
According to the local government&rsquo;s website, metered users and &lsquo;smart&rsquo; prepayment users received a discount of &pound;66/67 applied by their energy suppliers as part of the government's Energy Bills Support Scheme.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/wcu5tTRRRcWU0L6wCK9p" alt="undefined">
1 - Westminster
Payments delivered per 100,000 people: 282,724
A well-known London borough and a government area close to Buckingham Palace,&nbsp; Westminster takes first place with the most number of payments delivered per 100,000 people.
Not only did Westminster deliver an estimated 282,724 payments as of February 2023 but the local authority provides additional information for households. This useful information highlights a &pound;400 financial assistance for residents on their gas and electricity bills.

2 - Kensington and Chelsea
Payments delivered per 100,000 people: 281,381
Kensington and Chelsea follow behind having delivered approximately 281,381 payments per 100,000 people.
The London borough has a lot of helpful information on its website about how residents can be supported with their energy bills amid the cost of living crisis. This includes eligibility for benefits such as &pound;300 for people on an eligible low-income benefit or in a pensioner household.

3 - Camden
Payments delivered per 100,000 people: 231,660
Camden makes it into the top three having delivered 231,660 payments per 100,000 people through the Energy Bills Support Scheme which ended last month. To add to this, the London borough also offers additional information on energy rebates which highlights a sum of &pound;150 which could be credited to each recipient&rsquo;s Council Tax account.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/7LIk3gLFTWOLBcDB0FKx" alt="undefined">
Although direct debit, credit or debit card, and smart prepayment meters are among the most popular ways to pay for energy bills, UK households with a traditional prepayment meter receive the Government&rsquo;s Energy Bills Support as vouchers.
These vouchers can be redeemed at a PayPoint or Post Office, where your energy key will be topped up to the value of the voucher. In some cases you can redeem the cash value of the voucher, which must be paid towards your energy bill.

1 - Manchester
County: North West
Vouchers issued per 100,000 people: 24,156
A popular city in the North West of England, Manchester tops the list as the most helpful local government when it comes to the number of vouchers issued to households with a traditional prepayment meter. Just between October 2022 and February 2023, an estimated 24,156 vouchers were issued per 100,000 people, helping residents with their energy bills.

2 - Liverpool
County: North West
Vouchers issued per 100,000 people: 23,194
Next up is Liverpool with a total of 23,194 vouchers issued per 100,000 people. The vouchers were issued to those who pay their energy bill in an alternative way from the usual direct debit, credit or debit card, and smart prepayment meter. This maritime city also offers additional information on discounts and supports available to residents on their energy bills.&nbsp;
For instance, the local authority&rsquo;s site also provides information on the Warm Home Discount which could get eligible households a discount of up to &pound;140 on their electricity bill.

3 - Kingston upon Hull
County: North West
Vouchers issued per 100,000 people: 22,791
A port city in East Yorkshire, Kingston upon Hull completes the top three with a total of 22,791 vouchers issued per 100,000 people. These vouchers are issued to those households who have a traditional prepayment meter.
Like other local governments, Kingston upon Hull provides additional information on the support residents can receive through the Energy Bills Support Scheme on their site. This includes a one-off &pound;200 non-repayable payment to eligible households who use alternative fuels as their main form of heating.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/3I4z40DjTPGNX8doHjCg" alt="undefined">
1 - Hackney
Vouchers issued per 100,000 people: 38,110&nbsp;
Hackney takes the top spot as the most helpful government when it comes to issuing the most vouchers. As of February 2023, approximately 38,110 vouchers had been issued per 100,000 people through the Energy Bills Support Scheme.
In addition to this, the local authority&rsquo;s site states that residents can also receive a payment of &pound;200 by applying for the Alternative Fuel Payment Alternative Fund. This grant is given to those who use alternative fuels for heating their home instead of gas such as biomass or heating oil.

2 - Southwark
Vouchers issued per 100,000 people: 36,599
Southwark takes second place having issued a total of 36,599 vouchers per 100,000 people as of February 2023.
Alongside offering extra help on energy bills through the Energy Bills Support Scheme, the local authority also offers additional information on extra grants and benefits. This includes home improvement funding which offers a grant of up to &pound;25,000 to help you improve your home but save on energy bills.

3 - Lambeth
Vouchers issued per 100,000 people: 31,043
Ranked in third place is Lambeth with a total of 31,043 vouchers issued per 100,000 people.&nbsp;
According to the local authority&rsquo;s website, the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding requires no direct relationship to a domestic energy supplier to receive the one-off &pound;400 non-repayable discount on their fuel bills. However, residents must apply to receive this grant.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/PVXqKQRTT2u66yy6Dme5" alt="undefined">
1 - Heathrow
County: London
Estimated eligible recipients: 545,000
Ranking in first place is Heathrow with 545,000 estimated eligible recipients of cold weather payments. Due to the UK&rsquo;s unpredictable weather, the Cold Weather Payments scheme will start in November, offering support to residents whenever the average temperature is recorded or forecast to be at zero degrees Celsius or below for more than seven consecutive days.

2 - Coleshill
County: Warwickshire
Estimated eligible recipients: 294,000
Located in the region of Warwickshire, Coleshill comes in second place as one of the locations most likely to offer Cold Weather Payments to its residents, starting from November.
These payments will be issued to eligible residents who are on state benefits in the event of particularly cold weather in the winter. It is estimated that there are 294,000 eligible recipients for this payment in Coleshill.

3 - Rostherne
County: Cheshire
Estimated eligible recipients: 206,000
Rostherne follows behind with 206,000 estimated eligible recipients of cold weather payments. The Rostherne local government offers a lot of information on financial support to its residents to help heat their homes.
Alongside providing information on Cold Weather Payments, additional information on the Warm Home Discount Scheme and receiving help from your energy supplier is also provided to help residents with their electricity bills.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/lFJ47mvASAcrJJJpPJ0Y" alt="undefined">
1 - Heathrow
County: London
Estimated eligible recipients of Pension Credit: 180,000
Heathrow ranks in first place as the top location to receive cold weather payments for a pensioner. Heathrow had an estimated 180,000 recipients of the 2022-23 Cold Weather Payment who are eligible recipients of Pension Credit.

2 - Cardinham (Bodmin)
County: Cornwall
Estimated eligible recipients of Pension Credit: 95,000
Cardinham follows behind with an estimated 95,000 recipients of Pension Credit. Those eligible for Cold Weather Payments receive &pound;25 extra a week during the winter.
 
3 - Shawbury
County: Shropshire
Estimated eligible recipients of Pension Credit: 61,000
Shawbury ranks in third place with an estimated 61,000 eligible recipients of Pension Credit. In addition to this payment, the Winter Fuel Payment can also provide extra support to pensioners as it is a tax-free benefit to help pay for heating during winter.

<h1>Methodology&nbsp;</h1>
Using the population estimates for the UK, England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland from <a href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/datasets/populationestimatesforukenglandandwalesscotlandandnorthernireland">ONS</a>, we looked at the 50 most populated local authorities to find out which were the most helpful local governments in the UK.
All information regarding the number of payments delivered and vouchers issued by each local authority was taken from The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Department for Business, Energy &amp; Industrial Strategy: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-bills-support-scheme-payments-made-by-electricity-suppliers-to-customers">Energy Bills Support Scheme GB</a>: payments made by electricity suppliers to customers and figures are from October 2022 to February 2023.
This data was then calculated per 100,000 people using the estimates of the population from <a href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/datasets/populationestimatesforukenglandandwalesscotlandandnorthernireland">ONS</a> to normalise the figures.
Data for the Cold Weather Payments section were also taken from The Department for Work and Pensions: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/cold-weather-payment-estimates-2022-to-2023">Cold Weather Payment estimates: 2022 to 2023</a> and were based on 2022-2023.
Extra information on grants and schemes was taken from each local authority&rsquo;s government website.
Data collection was completed on 02/05/2023.

Most Helpful Local Govs

A 10-year boiler warranty is common, but new boilers have a range of options for their warranty. 

When you buy a <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/boiler-replacement">new boiler</a>, you want the assurance that you won't have to pay a fortune to fix it if something goes wrong, at least in the short term. And that&rsquo;s why boilers come with a warranty, similar to any other high-ticket item you might buy.
Typically, a warranty is a contract issued by the manufacturer to the client, a pledge to repair or replace the boiler within a specific time limit.
When you have a <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/boiler-installation">boiler installation</a>, the manufacturer gives you a warranty covering any problems with your new boiler for a certain amount of time.&nbsp;
And in this guide, we cover <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/boiler-warranty-guarantee">what a boiler warranty is</a>, the differences between a warranty and a guarantee, and compare most boiler warranties for a range of boiler brands, including answering the commonly asked question of whether or not all boilers come with a 10-year warranty.
<h2>What does a boiler warranty entail?</h2>
A boiler warranty is a written agreement by the manufacturer that promises to repair or replace a <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/boiler-replacement" rel="follow">new boiler</a> if&nbsp;it is faulty within a specific period of time.&nbsp;
When choosing a <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/boiler-replacement">new boiler</a>, it is also essential to consider the boiler warranty to go with it, as it could save you a substantial amount of money on <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/boiler-repair">repair</a> costs in the long term.
In the case of a breakdown or issue with your boiler, you can rest easy knowing that you'll be protected under your warranty terms. During the boiler's warranty term, the boiler manufacturer should repair or replace it if it is defective or a breakdown occurs.&nbsp;
<h2>Boiler warranty vs boiler guarantee - What&rsquo;s the difference?</h2>
A boiler warranty is a contract that stipulates someone will investigate the problem you are experiencing with your boiler, but there is no agreement to actually come out and fix the problem.
On the other hand, a boiler guarantee is an agreement that the manufacturer will send someone out to your property to investigate the problem and repair or <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/boiler-replacement" rel="follow">replace the boiler</a> if the problem is down to a manufacturing fault. Overall, people usually view boiler guarantees as superior because, with them, the boiler will get fixed and not just looked at.
Whether you choose a warranty or guarantee, you will want the terms to cover you for as long as possible so that you don&rsquo;t need to worry about what you would need to do in the case of a boiler emergency.
<h2>What are the conditions of cover for boiler warranties?</h2>
All boiler warranties are subject to a strict set of conditions that you must comply with, or you could invalidate your boiler warranty. The fine print may differ for each warranty, but three main conditions appear across all warranties that you need to adhere to so they remain valid.
<ul>
<li>Your boiler must be&nbsp;installed by a Gas Safe registered engineer.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;warranty must be registered within 30 days of installation. When you get your boiler through BOXT, we register the warranty with the manufacturer for you, so you don't need to worry about missing the deadline!</li>
<li>You must have your boiler serviced <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/guides/need-an-annual-service-we-can-help">annually</a> by a Gas Safe Engineer. Ensure you get a certificate as proof that your boiler has been serviced.</li>
</ul>

<h2>Boiler warranty lengths by brand</h2>
Boiler warranties will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and will also depend on their ranges and models. There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to manufacturer warranties, but all boiler brands typically have a standard warranty ranging from 2 to 10 years.&nbsp;
Here&rsquo;s how long the warranties are for some of the most common boiler brands, as provided by BOXT:
<ul>
<li>Worcester Bosch: 5-10 year warranty</li>
<li>Ideal: 5-12 year warranty</li>
<li>Baxi: 3-7 year warranty</li>
<li>Vaillant: 5-10 year warranty</li>
<li>Navien: 5-10 year warranty</li>
</ul>
Considering all these brands, it could be argued that Worcester Bosch has the best boiler warranties in terms of value as they offer a guarantee and a 10-year term as standard. This means you will have the peace of mind that if anything should happen to your boiler in that time, you will be able to get it fixed without extra cost.
<h2>Checklist for your boiler warranty</h2>
Not every warranty is the same. If you want more peace of mind, you might want to think about how good the manufacturer's warranty is when you buy a <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/boiler-replacement" rel="follow">new boiler</a>. There are three main factors to consider when looking for the best boiler warranty for you:
<h3>1. How long is the boiler warranty?</h3>
New boilers tend to be very dependable during their first few years, but the longer the boiler warranty term lasts, the longer you'll have the peace of mind that any defects that may develop are likely to be covered. When shopping for a <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/boiler-replacement">new boiler</a>, be sure to check how long the warranty is on your chosen model.
<h3>2. Which parts are covered by the boiler warranty?&nbsp;</h3>
Some warranties may require you to pay an additional cost for parts and labour, especially if the heating engineer needs to get ahold of manufacturer-approved parts. Others will need a deposit for any service call, which will only be repaid if the warranty covers the problem.&nbsp;
Keeping up with your annual <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/boiler-servicing" rel="follow">boiler service</a> will enable you to catch boiler problems sooner and so will reduce the cost of only manufacturer-approved parts and labour costs during a breakdown.
<h3 style="margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;">3. What are the boiler warranty exclusions?</h3>
Check the boiler warranty terms and conditions for any other exclusions that might void the manufacturer's warranty. Some warranty periods may have some special terms and conditions not mentioned in this article. Hence, you must check all standard warranty and extended warranty conditions with the manufacturer before choosing the best warranty for you and your boiler.
<h2>Final thoughts</h2>
If you&rsquo;re ready to choose a new boiler and want to select a model with the best-suited warranty for you, find out more about the <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/boiler-warranty-guarantee">BOXT boiler warranty guarantee</a> when you choose us for boiler installation. Or, if you're still deciding which boiler brand would be best for your home, take a look at our boiler comparison guides, like <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/guides/baxi-vs-worcester-bosch" rel="follow">Baxi vs. Worcester Bosch boilers</a> and <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/guides/ideal-vs-baxi" rel="follow">Ideal vs. Baxi boilers</a>.&nbsp;

Do all boilers have a 10 year warranty?

Struggling to understand the breakdown of your boiler quotes? Don’t worry! The BOXT boiler experts have written a helpful guide to explain everything you need to know about boiler quotes.

Boilers and boiler quotes can sometimes be confusing, even for those of us with experience. But, making sure you understand all the different elements within a boiler quote is important given the fact that a <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/boiler-replacement" rel="follow">new boiler</a> is often one of the most expensive investments you'll make for your home.
If you need a new boiler for your home, a second property or a place of work, read our comprehensive guide to learn everything you'll need to know about boiler quotes. We'll cover system boilers, combi boilers and standard boilers as well as topics such as the importance of comparing boiler quotes, getting a boiler quote online and boiler installation costs.
<h2 dir="ltr">What information do you need to get a boiler quote?</h2>
Before you apply for boiler quotes, whether it's for a new boiler or for a replacement boiler, you'll need access to certain bits of information in order to get accurate quotes back from providers and manufacturers. Beyond knowing your contact details and home address, below is a list of the questions you should have answered before getting started.
<ol>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many individuals will be using your central heating system and hot water supply?</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many bedrooms, bathrooms, and radiators does your home have?</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How old is your current boiler?</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">What fuel type does your current boiler use - gas, oil, LPG, or electric - and do you want to continue using this type?</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Where is the flue located on your property?</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Do you want a specific brand of boiler?</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">What type of boiler do you have currently - combi, system, or standard - and do you want to change to a different type?</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Is your current boiler performing as required and, if not, why?</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">What is your budget for a new or replacement boiler?</li>
</ol>
<h2 dir="ltr">What's included in a boiler quote?</h2>
<h3 dir="ltr">Installation fees</h3>
When purchasing a <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/boiler-replacement" rel="follow">new boiler</a>, it is typical for suppliers to provide you with two prices; the price of the boiler and the additional installation fee. However, at BOXT, we supply and install your boiler all under one fee with <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/the-boxt-price-promise">our price promise</a> - which guarantees simplicity, transparency and most importantly, no hidden fees.&nbsp;
If you are buying a new boiler, it&rsquo;s worthwhile to consider some of the factors that could impact installation.&nbsp;
When wanting to relocate your boiler to another location, you might not already have the necessary pipework in place for it to be installed in your home. This could incur charges related to labour, whether scaffolding is required and if a gas upgrade is needed.&nbsp;
Standard switches between combination gas boilers will have lower installation fees than if you are wanting to change from a system boiler to a <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/combi-boilers" rel="follow">combi boiler</a>. Bear in mind, it is very important to get a new or replacement boiler installed properly by a Gas Safe registered engineer.&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">Any additional controls required</h3>
Most quotes will be customisable, including how you work your central heating and hot water. Here at BOXT we have fully customisable packages, all built into our website (Link).
Most quotes should include Heating controls such as thermostats, <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/guides/what-are-thermostatic-radiator-valves-and-do-i-need-them">thermostatic radiator valves</a>, and programmers, some may come with controls recommended but always do your own research, especially with smart thermostats, for example you may prefer the nest as it operates with Google more easily. What&rsquo;s more, it can help you make even more savings on your energy bills.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">Post-installation checks</h3>
All installations should include a full commissioning of the boiler to the manufacturer's specification, balancing of the system, full gas safety paperwork including Benchmark and Gas safety certification. It should also include a full set up and demonstration of not just the controls installed, but the boiler itself highlighting all end user functions and basics on the boiler. This should include how to top the pressure up and how to reset the boiler.&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">The manufacturer's warranty</h3>
Boilers should all come with a warranty to give you peace of mind that it's protected if anything goes wrong or it becomes faulty. Your boiler quotes should include clear details of the warranty that's included and indicate how long it's valid for and what it covers. Here at BOXT we manage and register all warranties with the manufacturer so you don't have to.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">What affects the cost of a boiler quote?</h2>
<h3 dir="ltr">The boiler</h3>
The price of the boiler itself will play a large part in determining the overall cost of your boiler quotes, as boilers are fairly expensive pieces of kit! Whether it's a combi boiler, a system boiler, or a standard boiler you're after - the price will vary depending on whether it's a budget, mid-range, or premium model.
<h3 dir="ltr">Fuel type</h3>
The type of fuel your boiler uses is another influencing factor, with more common fuel types tending to be cheaper. For example, gas boiler quotes and electric boiler quotes are going to be cheaper than biomass boiler quotes.
<h3 dir="ltr">Energy efficiency</h3>
Similarly, the power rating and energy efficiency of the boiler will affect its price. New boilers, particularly combi boilers, use less fuel than older types of boilers and operate effectively with smart technologies to manage the amount of energy you use.
Fortunately, all new boilers are A-rated, whether its a combi, system or standard boiler, you should aim for one that&rsquo;s more than 90% efficient.&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">The installation</h3>
If your new or replacement boiler installation is going to be non-standard or involve any additional labour, materials, and equipment, you'll likely have to pay more. Also, your location within the UK can influence the price of boiler installation quotes, with areas like London having higher labour rates than elsewhere in the country.
<h3 dir="ltr">Location</h3>
If you're relocating your new boiler to somewhere else in your home, there will be a lot of physical labour and additional pipework involved in the installation. Also, if your boiler flue is located on the roof of your home as opposed to on the side, this is likely to end up costing you more as there will be more manual labour involved to make sure all of the boiler's gases are being pumped outside effectively.
Even if paying more for trusted installers is offputting, it's always best to hire an experienced installation team to do the job, as you want to make sure it's done properly. The only people qualified to install new or replacement boilers are Gas Safe registered heating engineers.
<h3 dir="ltr">Whether it's an upgrade or conversion</h3>
If your property already has a boiler and you're applying for quotes to upgrade it to a different type or fuel type then this will mean you're likely to incur additional costs. Take combi boilers, for example. Many homeowners want a combi boiler as this type tends to be the most efficient and offers the added benefit of being able to control your heating and hot water simultaneously, but there is a much greater amount of labour needed to convert a system or back boiler into a combi boiler system than there is for a straightforward swap.

Get personalised fixed-price quotes from BOXT today.

<h2 dir="ltr">Guaranteed peace of mind with BOXT</h2>
Choosing a reputable boiler brand such as Worcester Bosch, Ideal, and Vaillant alongside a qualified installer is a good way of making sure you're getting great value for money.&nbsp;
The team at BOXT work only with the best manufacturers - ensuring everything is done correctly and efficiently the first time by registering the warranty and providing you with a fixed price quote. A new boiler with BOXT provides peace of mind, and above all, a warm cosy home for you to enjoy.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Boiler quotes explained: everything you need to know

Boiler grants are designed to make it possible for eligible homeowners to get a new boiler installed, even if they don't have the funds to afford it.

<h2 dir="ltr">What are boiler grants?</h2>
In an effort to help any low-income households that are most at risk from fuel poverty and the rising cost of living, the UK government offers free boiler schemes and grants. These are designed to make it possible for eligible homeowners to get a <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/boiler-replacement" rel="follow">new boiler</a> installed, even if they don't have the funds to afford it.
In England, free boiler grants are funded by the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme. This is an initiative organized and monitored by the government that requires big energy companies to take more responsibility for ending fuel poverty and cutting the country's carbon emissions. The aim is that by giving at-risk households access to full or partial funding from their energy supplier to make their homes more energy-efficient, their fuel consumption and bills will be reduced.
<h2 dir="ltr">What boiler grants are available?</h2>
The list of available boiler grant schemes is changing all the time, with new offers and deals being added for eligible households, so it's important to double-check what's available before applying for a specific boiler scheme.
In this section of the guide, we'll walk you through the government boiler schemes and grants that are currently available in the UK* for eligible homeowners.
*Information correct as of 22/12/22. Schemes are subject to eligibility, terms and conditions.
<h2 dir="ltr">ECO4 scheme</h2>
The government's ECO boiler grant scheme is the primary scheme in the UK. Launched in 2013, it is funded by some of the biggest energy suppliers in the UK including British Gas, Eon, EDF, Octopus, OVO, Bulb, and Scottish Power.
ECO stands for Energy Company Obligation to reflect the scheme's goal of making energy companies accountable for supporting low-income households.
The most recent update to this scheme is ECO4. This continues the government's effort to provide support for low-income households who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford to heat their homes or invest in an energy-efficient boiler.
It's important to note, though, that the ECO4 scheme does not provide funding to individual households eligible for support. Any payments are made directly to the company that will be installing your new boiler, replacement boiler, or insulation improvements.
<h3 dir="ltr">Who is eligible for the ECO4 scheme?</h3>
To find out if you qualify for a free <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/boiler-replacement" rel="follow">new boiler</a> under the ECO4 scheme you'll need to fill in some details about your current living and financial situations online. There are certain criteria that you have to meet in order to be eligible for a free boiler, but the main requirement is that you are receiving some form of qualifying benefit from the government. These include:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Income-based jobseekers allowance or JSA</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Income Related Employment &amp; Support Allowance (ESA)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Income Support (IS)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Pension Credit Guarantee</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Working Tax Credits (WTC)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Child Tax Credits (CTC)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Universal Credit (UC)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Housing Benefit</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Pension Credit Savings</li>
</ul>
As well as receiving income support from the government, the ECO4 boiler grant scheme stipulates that your property must have an energy rating of D, E, F, or G. This is because one of the main objectives behind ECO4 is to support low-income households to become more energy efficient and reduce their carbon footprint.
Your current boiler must also be at least 10 years old to qualify for a free replacement. If it's not more than 10 years old, the scheme assumes that it will be more cost-effective to repair your existing boiler rather than replace it.
<h2 dir="ltr">Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)</h2>
The <a href="https://www.gov.uk/apply-boiler-upgrade-scheme/how-to-apply">Boiler Upgrade Scheme</a> is designed to provide grant funding to cover part of the cost of replacing an oil boiler or gas boiler with a new, low-carbon heating system. This might be a heat pump or biomass boiler.
Under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you can get grants for:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">
&pound;7,500 towards an air source heat pump
</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">
&pound;7,500 towards a ground source heat pump (including water source heat pumps and those on shared ground loops)
</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">&pound;5,000 towards a biomass boiler</li>
</ul>
Currently, the BUS is only available to people living in England and Wales, but residents of Scotland could be eligible for interest-free loans to help towards improving their home's energy efficiency. Also, to be eligible, you must be the owner of the property in question.
<h2 dir="ltr">LA Flex funding</h2>
This stands for <a href="https://eco4.org.uk/" rel="follow">Local Authority Eligibility Flexibility</a> and refers to the ability of councils and local authorities to widen the eligibility criteria for the ECO4 scheme to provide tailored energy efficiency support for residents of their constituencies. This is important because the cost of living is higher in certain areas of the UK, meaning fuel poverty is more acute.
The aim behind LA Flex is to broaden the reach of the support offered by large energy companies to lower-income households that aren't on any means-tested benefits but are still in fuel poverty or considered at additional risk from the cold. LA Flex can help households get a new boiler with a better energy-efficiency rating to help reduce energy bills.
<h2 dir="ltr">Warmer Homes Scotland Scheme</h2>
Part of the Scottish government's Home Energy Efficiency Programmes (HEEPs), the <a href="https://www.homeenergyscotland.org/warmer-home/" rel="follow">Warmer Homes Scotland Scheme</a> is designed to help struggling households heat their homes by funding boiler replacements and upgrades.
This scheme enables eligible homeowners to get a free boiler along with free central heating systems, loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, and systems for generating their own renewable energy.
<h3 dir="ltr">Who is eligible for the Warmer Homes Scotland Scheme?</h3>
In order to meet the eligibility criteria for this scheme, homeowners must have lived in their property for at least 12 months and be able to provide proof that they are struggling to afford their energy bills.
You can use the <a href="https://homeenergyscotland-advice.est.org.uk/selfassessment/" rel="follow">self-assessment form</a> on Home Energy Scotland's website to find out if you are eligible for energy-saving improvements.
<h2 dir="ltr">NEST</h2>
<a href="https://nest.gov.wales/">NEST</a> is the Welsh government's boiler grant scheme and is part of the wider Warm Homes scheme. It provides support for low-income families and people with certain health conditions to get replacement boilers and other energy-saving solutions.
<h3 dir="ltr">Who is eligible for NEST?</h3>
As with the other government-funded boiler grant schemes, NEST is for people who are receiving certain low-income benefits such as universal credit.
NEST is also designed to help people who have health conditions that are made worse by the cold. These include circulatory, respiratory, and mental health conditions.
<h2 dir="ltr">How do you apply for a free boiler grant?</h2>
The easiest way to apply for a free boiler scheme is via the dedicated website for the respective scheme or provider. Use the online application forms listed below to find out if you are eligible for a new boiler grant, help with installation costs, or boiler repair support.
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Apply for the ECO4 scheme</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Apply for the Boiler Upgrade scheme</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">See if you are eligible for LA Flex funding</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Apply for the Warmer Homes Scotland scheme</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Apply for NEST</li>
</ul>
Or, for additional help and more information regarding boiler grants, reach out to the following scheme operators:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">England and Wales: <a href="https://www.simpleenergyadvice.org.uk/" rel="follow">Simple Energy Advice</a> - 0800 444 202</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Scotland: <a href="https://www.homeenergyscotland.org/" rel="follow">Home Energy Scotland</a> - 0808 808 2282</li>
</ul>
<h2 dir="ltr">Alternatives to government boiler grants</h2>
If you aren't eligible for a government-funded boiler grant, there are other options available to you which could help with the costs of buying a new or replacement boiler.
Finance schemes such as boiler subscription services provide an easy, stress-free way&nbsp; to avoid the high upfront cost attached to getting your current boiler replaced or buying a new boiler if you are moving home. You can get an inefficient boiler replaced with a new, more energy-efficient A-rated boiler that can help reduce your energy bills and carbon emissions without having to pay everything upfront.

Find a brand new, A-rated boiler that's perfect for your home in just 90 seconds

Articles tagged Boiler Costs

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