Free Central Heating for Homes Without
If your home has never had central heating — no gas boiler, no radiators, no piped heating system — you could qualify for a complete central heating system installed for free through ECO4. This is called First Time Central Heating (FTCH).
What's covered by a first-time central heating grant
A first-time central heating grant through ECO4 funds a complete system — not just a heat source. Here's what a full install typically covers:
| Component | What's included |
|---|---|
| Heat source | A new gas boiler, or an air source heat pump if your home is off the gas grid |
| Radiators | A full set of radiators sized for each room in your home |
| Pipework | All the pipework and connections needed to link the system together |
| Controls | A room thermostat and heating controls so you can set temperatures and timing |
| Gas connection | A new gas connection, if your property isn't already connected and a gas system is being fitted |
This is typically worth £3,000–£7,000 — all at zero cost to you if you qualify.
Who Qualifies?
You need:
- No existing central heating — your home currently relies on electric heaters, storage heaters, open fires, or similar
- Qualifying benefits — Universal Credit, Pension Credit, JSA, ESA, Income Support, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit, or Working Tax Credit
- EPC rating of D or below (most homes without central heating are E, F, or G)
Homes That Typically Qualify
- Older properties with only electric storage heaters
- Homes using portable electric heaters
- Properties with open fires or solid fuel stoves as the only heating
- Homes with old, disconnected back boilers
- Properties never connected to the gas network
First-time central heating vs a replacement: what counts as 'first time'?
This distinction decides which ECO4 route applies to you:
- First-time central heating (FTCH) means installing a full wet central heating system — a boiler or heat pump feeding radiators through pipework — in a home that has never had one. Homes that rely on individual room heaters, portable electric heaters, open fires or a single fixed heater usually count as having no central heating.
- A heating replacement is different: you already have central heating, but an old, broken or inefficient boiler is swapped for a new one. That's funded under ECO4's broken/inefficient heating rules rather than as first-time central heating.
One grey area is electric storage heaters. Depending on the survey, a home heated only by storage heaters may be treated as having no central heating (so FTCH applies) — the assessor confirms this on the visit. If you're not sure which category your home falls into, the checker and survey will establish it for you.
Can you get a central heating grant without benefits?
Yes — potentially. ECO4's main route needs a qualifying benefit, but if no one in the household claims one, your council's LA Flex route (also called ECO4 Flex) can still refer you. Councils set their own flexible-eligibility criteria — commonly a low household income, or a health condition made worse by a cold home. Thresholds vary by area, so it's worth checking what your local authority accepts. In England, the Warm Homes: Local Grant is a second route to funded heating for lower-income households, running to March 2028.
How Much Can You Save?
Switching from electric heating to central heating saves £900 or more per year. Electric heating is the most expensive way to heat a home — central heating can cut your bills by 50-70%.
Gas or Heat Pump?
If your home is on the gas grid, you'll typically get a gas boiler system. If you're off-grid, you may get an air source heat pump instead. Both are equally effective — your installer will recommend the best option for your property.
The Application Process
- Check eligibility using our free checker
- A surveyor visits to assess your home (free)
- They design the heating system layout
- Installation typically takes 2-3 days
- You enjoy central heating for the first time!
Don't Wait
FTCH is one of the highest-value ECO4 measures. The scheme runs until December 2026 but funding is limited. If your home has no central heating, check your eligibility now.