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Struggling to afford the costs of boiler repair and replacement? Don’t go without heating this winter! Find out if you can apply for a government grant.
As temperatures in the UK fall below zero, your boiler becomes more important than ever. Winter is a time of year where staying warm isn’t only about comfort, but also about maintaining good health.
The winter, however, is also a time of year that puts great amounts of pressure on both your bank balance and your boiler. All too often, those in tough financial situations find themselves in need of boiler repair or replacement. Yet, these costs can be extremely high and well beyond their reach.
Happily, for struggling families, there are options available for boiler repair allowances and replacement grants.
Boiler repair and replacement grants are provided by the British government. A reserve of cash is set aside each year to help those in difficult financial circumstances ensure they and their families remain warm in the winter. Private corporations, most commonly energy providers, also offer funding for those in need of it.
There are a variety of different schemes available for obtaining grants for boiler repair and replacement, including those that cover the complete costs involved and others offering partial subsidisation. The grants and allowances available for people living in the UK are:
Dependant on their market share in the energy service providing business, private companies such as British Gas and Npower must provide a certain number of homes with support for boiler repair and replacements. The scheme is designed specifically for low-income families.
The criteria for acceptance of grants are as follows:
Under this scheme, you will be entitled to either full coverage of costs or heavy subsidisation. Amounts available depend on your personal situation. Those on pension credits or child tax credits automatically qualify.
Managed by the Energy Saving Advice Service, the affordable warmth initiative has been set up to help pay for boiler repairs, replacements and home improvements required for a more energy-efficient property. Available to private owners on benefits, renters with permission, and social housing residents with low-quality boilers, it provides varying amounts of cash to help have necessary work completed. In order to qualify, however, you must be claiming at least one benefit from a predetermined list.
The boiler scrappage scheme is a government-run system designed to get old boilers out of homes and have them replaced with new, energy-efficient ones. The government will provide you with £400 towards your new boiler, providing you meet certain requirements:
This is a good idea for those boilers in constant need of repairs or that are on the edge of breaking down. If your boiler is displaying tell-tale signs of impending disaster, now is the time to consider this scheme.
You will be eligible for Cold Weather Payment if you are claiming one of the following:
Running from November 1st to March 31st, you’ll be entitled to a payment of £25 per day if the temperature falls below zero and does so again for 7 days or longer. The idea is to help with the increasing costs of boiler use and any potential maintenance issues incurred by additional usage.
This will automatically be applied to as a rebate 14 days after the first occurrence of sub-zero weather.
Some non-profits have been set up to support low-income families with the costs of surviving in modern Britain, and that includes boiler repairs. You can use websites like Turn2Us to search for charities offering grants suitable for your needs. This is a good place to search if you’ve been rejected for other schemes like ECO.
While the ECO is a government initiative, it is run by private firms. Therefore, you must arrange it through your energy provider. If you are applying for another scheme, you must go direct to the organisation responsible for said grants; often government departments.
Providers involved in government grant schemes are:
Contact your provider to discuss your potential for a boiler repair or replacement grant. They’ll be able to help you manage the application process. Be aware that you are allowed to use an installer or technician of your choice.
At Plumbing Care Services, we are experts in boiler repair and replacement, operating in Bristol, Somerset, Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas. If you need qualified and reliable experts to install or repair your boiler, be sure to get in touch.
Thanks to our reputation as the top plumbing and central heating company in Bristol, Somerset & Gloucestershire, we’ve been given Approved Installer status from a variety of well-known names in the industry, including Worcester Bosch, Glow Worm, Baxi and Vaillant.
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