First-Time Central Heating Grant – Get a Free Central Heating System
Upgrade Your Home with a Free or Subsidised Central Heating System
If your home has never had central heating, keeping warm can be expensive, inefficient, and uncomfortable. The First-Time Central Heating Grant (FTCH) helps eligible households install a brand-new, energy-efficient central heating system for free or at a significantly reduced cost.
This grant is funded under the ECO4 scheme, a UK government initiative designed to help low-income and fuel-poor households reduce heating costs, improve home comfort, and cut carbon emissions. The scheme runs until March 31, 2026, but funding is limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you qualify, you could receive a fully installed central heating system, including a boiler, radiators, pipework, and heating controls, all fitted by government-approved installers.
Check if you’re eligible today and start your journey to a warmer, more energy-efficient home!
How It Works
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Complete Online Form
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Free Survey Booked
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Boiler/System Installed
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Grant Claimed
What Is the First-Time Central Heating Grant?
The First-Time Central Heating Grant (FTCH) is a government-backed initiative under the ECO4 scheme, which provides funding to install gas, LPG, or renewable central heating systems in homes that have never had central heating before. This grant helps low-income households transition from inefficient heating systems, such as electric heaters, coal fireplaces, or bottled LPG heating, to modern, cost-effective central heating.
What Does the Grant Cover?
- New central heating system – boiler, radiators, pipework, and controls
- Professional installation by certified engineers
- Free home energy assessment
- Energy-efficient boiler to reduce energy bills
Did You Know? Switching from electric heating to gas central heating can save up to £500 per year on energy costs!
Who Is Eligible for the First-Time Central Heating Grant?
To qualify for the First-Time Central Heating Grant, your home and household must meet certain criteria:
Property Eligibility
- Your home must not have had central heating before
- You must be a homeowner or a private tenant (with landlord permission)
- Your home’s EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating must be D, E, F, or G
- Your home must have an existing gas connection or be eligible for an LPG/renewable heating system
Income & Benefit Criteria
You may qualify if you or someone in your household receives:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit (Guarantee or Savings Credit)
- Housing Benefit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)
Not on benefits? You may still qualify under the LA Flex (Local Authority Flexibility) scheme if your household income is below £31,000 per year.
Funding is limited – apply now before the grants are gone!
Warm Homes Local Grant – New £500 Million Funding
The Warm Homes Local Grant, launching in April 2025, is a new £500 million government initiative to help low-income and fuel-poor households improve their home heating.
270 local authorities across England and Wales will receive funding to help residents install:
- First-time central heating systems
- Boiler replacements
- Energy-efficient heating upgrades
Who Can Apply?
- Homeowners or private tenants living in fuel-poor households
- Households with an EPC rating of D or lower
- Those on low incomes or government benefits
The Warm Homes Local Grant complements the FTCH scheme, offering even more funding for home heating improvements.
Want to check if your local council is offering this grant? Contact us today!
Other Grants You Might Qualify For
The First-Time Central Heating Grant is part of a wider effort to improve home energy efficiency. You may also be eligible for:
- ECO4 Boiler Replacement Grants – Free boiler upgrades for low-income households.
- The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) – Government-backed funding for home insulation improvements, which can include boiler upgrades in certain cases.
- The Warm Homes Local Grant (Launching April 2025) – A new scheme providing £500 million in funding to improve home heating for fuel-poor households across 270 local authorities.
- The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) – Grants of up to £7,500 for heat pumps or £5,000 for biomass boilers (for homes replacing fossil fuel systems).
Who Qualifies
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Owners & Tenants
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Qualifying Benefit
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Old or Faulty Boiler
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No Central Heating