How to get a free boiler worth up to £2,500 from your energy firm
HARD-UP Brits could be eligible to get a brand new boiler installed completely free of charge.
The new bit of kit for your home could be worth up to £2,500, and could also help lower your energy bills in the long run.
If you’re on a low income or are considered vulnerable and your boiler is broken or faulty, you could be entitled to free gas boiler replacement.
That means your old inefficient boiler will be swapped out for a more energy savvy one that won’t take as much of a toll on your usage.
The replacement is being offered by some energy firms and some savings trusts that aim to help those most in need.
And it couldn’t have come at a better time as energy bills have rocketed by more than 70% over the winter period.
The cost of living has pushed energy bills, amongst a hoard of other outgoings, to an all time high.
But they’re only likely to keep rising as households will be paying 40% more for energy bills by the time the next energy price cap is updated in April.
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Bill payers already saw their costs rocket in October as annual tariffs went up by as much as £139 when the price cap last rose.
Two more increases are expected this year, will household bills likely to rise to more than £2,000.
That means it’s more important than ever for Brits to keep on top of rising costs.
But replacing a boiler can involve some hefty up front costs that many just don’t have the funds to cover – luckily there is some help out there.
The Energy Savings Trust estimates a typical gas boiler would cost £2,500 on average to replace.
Why should I replace my boiler?
If your boiler has been knocking about for a while it could be riddled with issues that will impact its efficiency.
Corrosion, wear and tear and damage would result in bigger – more dangerous -problems down the line that could cost hundreds or more to fix.
Often an older model will simply require more energy to power, adding to your bills.
It’s worth upgrading, as you could save hundreds of pounds a year.
The Energy Saving Trust estimates that families in a detached house can save up to £315 a year by upgrading from a G-rated boiler to a new A-rated condensing boiler.
If your old boiler is working harder to do the same thing as a newer model you’ll be wasting energy (and money) for the same effect.
A new boiler won’t have to work so hard, and your radiators and more could reach the same temperatures and maintain them more easily, without your bills going up as much.
How will it be funded?
Under the Affordable Warmth scheme, energy giant E.on is offering boiler replacements worth up to £2,500.
There’s not long left to cash in though.
You would normally have to pay a £395 contribution, but the charge has been waived until midnight on Sunday, January 30.
If you’re not an E.on customer you can still apply, but to be eligible you have to be receiving benefits like Universal Credit, jobseekers allowance, or Working and Child Tax credits.
E.on isn’t the only provider with a grant like this in place either.
British Gas, EDF Energy, Scottish Power, and SSE have versions of the grant for their customers too.
But not many providers let you apply online, so you need to call direct to get started.
The Energy Support Hub also offers an affordable boiler scheme where the installation of your new boiler can be fully or partly funded too.
It can conduct an assessment over the phone and if you’re eligible the costs of installation with be covered as part of a self-funded scheme where over 10 years the boiler essentially pays for itself in what you will have saved.
Martin Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert recommends the Simple Energy Advice eligibility calculator to see what your household could be in line for.
How can I keep my energy bills down with my boiler?
When the cold weather arrives many households will whack up the heating immediately, but that can be an inefficient use of your boiler and cost mor on your bills.
You should turn the heat up gradually – you can try hiking up the dial one degree at a time until you reach a temperature you’re happy with.
Between 18 and 21 degrees is recommended but most households set their heating above 22 degrees.
Energy experts at Uswitch have explained to The Sun before that households could save as much as £127.70, knocking down the temperature by just one degree.
Otherwise your boiler is heating up unnecessarily.
You should also make sure you keep your boiler clean and in check, otherwise you could quickly run into the same problems the old one had and face expensive call outs or in the most extreme case forking out for another replacement.