The cheapest way to get your boiler repaired or replaced this winter – and you could get £7,500 to buy a new one.

Dealing with a broken boiler can not only damage your mood, but also your wallet.

During the winter months, you may find that your furnace is more prone to problems due to increased use and colder weather causing parts of the boiler to contract.

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Buying a new boiler can cost between £1,000 and £3,500, British Gas estimates, depending on the model.

And even paying for a repair can cost between £100 and £500.

However, some households may be eligible for grants or gifts to help them replace their boilers in the event of a breakdown.

One example is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, launched by the government to help households replace fossil fuel heating systems with more environmentally friendly alternatives.

To benefit from this program, you must own the property you wish to improve.

You must find an MCS certified installer to claim the grant on your behalf.

MCS is the certification system for installers of energy-efficient products.

You can find the ones closest to you by visiting www.mcscertified.com/find-an-installer, but it’s worth purchasing a few quotes.

Meanwhile, some low-income homes can also benefit from significant discounts on the installation of boilers or insulation of their home.

The Energy Company Obligation, put in place by the Government, allows households benefiting from certain services to request the installation of energy saving measures in their home.

This may involve insulating cavity walls or attics, or perhaps even installing a new boiler, sometimes for free.

Household needs are assessed on a case-by-case basis, so there’s no guarantee you’ll get help, but it’s worth investigating.

And to qualify, you generally need to have one of the following benefits

• Retirement Guarantee Credit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income support
• Tax credits (child tax credits and working tax credits)
• Universal Credit
• Housing allowance
• Retirement credit Savings credit

You can apply, you will need to contact your local authority directly and see if they are participating in the scheme or contact your energy supplier.

You can see which energy suppliers are participating in the scheme by visiting https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/.

You should also be aware of special grants provided by charitable associations.

The Sun recently spoke to a single mother who managed to get a new boiler worth £4,000 thanks to a scheme run by gas supplier Cadent and the Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Charity.

You can read his story here.

What to do if your boiler no longer works?

If you suspect your boiler is broken, it is important that you contact a qualified professional to avoid any further complications or harm to you or others.

It is important that you call an engineer and ensure they are gas safety registered before carrying out any work on your home.

You can find a qualified engineer by visiting the Gas Safety Register online at https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/find-an-engineer-or-check-the-register/.

The Gas Safety Register also recommends getting a quote from at least two out of three different companies before making your choice.

The group said you will need to provide details of the work to be carried out and the location of your boiler within the property.

It is also recommended to see if these companies can provide references from previous clients.

Consumer expert Martyn James recommends not waiting for an emergency before contacting a specialist.

He said: “Don’t wait for an emergency. Consult the best specialists in the field and find out what their intervention prices are as well as their online reviews.

“Call them and establish a relationship in advance.”

Should you get a boiler cover?

Replacing a broken boiler can cost you thousands of euros. It is therefore not uncommon for households to consider taking out an insurance policy.

Depending on where you choose to buy your insurance, it can cost up to £300 a year.

Whose experts? said it might actually be cheaper to ditch the boiler cover and pay as you need a repair.

Emily Seymour, which one? Home Energy’s editor, told The Sun, boiler cover tends to be a ‘false economy’ and most people would be better off paying for ‘annual servicing and repairs when needed’ .

The cost of an annual service is around £70 per year, but it can cost more than £180.

Emily added: “If you’d prefer to have boiler cover for added peace of mind, then it’s worth shopping around and haggling with your current supplier to ensure you get the best deal available. »