Home Heating grants Belfast
Heating grants in Belfast
Northern Ireland's heating grants differ from the rest of the UK. Here's what Belfast households can apply for.
Many grants you'll read about online don't apply in Belfast. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme covers England and Wales only, and ECO4 covers Great Britain. In Northern Ireland the main route is the Housing Executive's Affordable Warmth Scheme.
Belfast at a glance
- How homes are heated
- 70.9% of Belfast households heat with mains gas only and 20.2% (30,190 homes) with oil only. 2.4% use electricity only and 4.9% have two or more types of central heating. Source
- Heat pumps
- Only 10 Belfast households reported an air source heat pump in the 2021 Census, against 2,677 with solar panels for electricity. Source
- Tenure
- 20.5% of Belfast households rented privately in 2021. 16.9% rented from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and 9.4% from a housing association or charity. Source
- Affordable Warmth
- The Housing Executive's Affordable Warmth Scheme helps owner-occupiers and private tenants with gross household income under £23,000, funding insulation, ventilation, heating and window upgrades in a set priority order. The separate Boiler Replacement Scheme closed to new applications in September 2023. Source
Affordable Warmth Scheme
You must live in Northern Ireland, own and live in your home or rent from a private landlord, and have a total gross household income under £23,000 a year. Housing Executive and housing association tenants can't apply.
Measures are done in priority order: insulation, draught-proofing and ventilation first, then heating, then windows, then solid wall insulation for detached homes. A boiler at least 15 years old can be replaced if someone in the home is over 65, a child gets Child Benefit, or someone receives certain disability benefits.
Start by contacting NI Energy Advice on 0800 111 4455. Private landlords must agree to the work and pay half the cost.
The Boiler Replacement Scheme
This scheme offered up to £1,000 towards replacing boilers over 15 years old. It closed to new applications in September 2023 because of budget constraints.
Free advice first
NI Energy Advice, run by the Housing Executive, is open to every household in Northern Ireland, not only Housing Executive tenants. Advisers can check which schemes you might qualify for, explain your options for an old oil or gas boiler, and send out the Affordable Warmth application form if you meet the entry rules.
Checking callers
Phoenix Energy takes part in Quick Check 101, which lets you call 101 to check a caller claiming to be from a utility is genuine. If someone at the door or on the phone asks for money to get you a grant, check first.
Belfast homes and what they need
Victorian and Edwardian red-brick terraces
Loft insulation, draught-proofing and ventilation come first under Affordable Warmth. Replacing single-glazed windows is a later priority.
Suburban semis
Cavity wall insulation is a common first measure. Oil-heated semis may be eligible for heating upgrades.
Apartments in the city centre and riverside
Private tenants in apartments can apply, but landlords must agree and pay half. The freeholder's agreement may be needed for work on the building.
Areas covered
Engineers who cover Belfast work across areas including Ormeau, Stranmillis, Malone, Ballyhackamore, Sydenham, Andersonstown, Newtownabbey, Holywood, Dundonald and Carryduff.
Questions people in Belfast ask
Is there a heat pump grant in Belfast?
We couldn't find an open Northern Ireland-wide heat pump grant when this page was written. Check with NI Energy Advice for any new schemes.
Can the Housing Executive replace my oil boiler?
Under Affordable Warmth, only if you meet the income limit, the boiler is at least 15 years old, and your household meets one of the extra criteria.