Free boilers/ double glazing

[Toddlerteaplease]

Are these adverts to good to be true? What's the catch?

Not sure about double glazing but we got a free boiler and wall insulation a few years back, and bisides a bit of paperwork faff the wasn't really any catch. Big energy companies have to pay to make homes more efficient, so they can claim to be doing there bit against pollution.

You need to be on certain benefit (sometimes within income limits as well) so not everyone can get it but if you qualify then go for it. I also think you have to already have a central heating boiler but that's older and inefficient, so they're replacing like for like but they won't add one if you have gas or electric heaters, which seems strange from an efficiency point of view.

If you're looking at websites that, when you click on them, ask you to input your name, address etc, but don't tell you who they are or what the deal is, they are scammers who collect Prospects and sell them to companies who will set up salesman's calls and visits.

AFAIK there are not any generally available free schemes. There may be some for people in receipt of income-related benefits.

You can look on Martin's site, you can look on your local council's website, and you can look on the websites of the large utility companies (such as British Gas) who are from time to time forced to offer energy saving schemes. They are forced to pay for it by a levy on their energy prices, so the money comes from other customer, not from public funds. This is why small energy companies, who are not forced to provide subsidies, often undercut the big companies.

Thanks..piglet. That's what I was thinking.

The government scheme with a tool to see what you qualify for.
www.gov.uk/energy-grants-calculator

single mum friend got a boiler on the never never as hrrs died & couldnt afford to replace - no payment upfront just monthly - it was crap - ccouldnt heat her 2up 2down house or enough hot water - they were not interested in fixing it