The quick answer is that you’ll not know until after your Free Survey
Changes to the Affordable Warmth Scheme introduced on 1st April 2017, now mean that in some cases a contribution is required to the cost of installing electric storage heaters and central heating boilers.
A new system of ‘Deemed Scores’ is now used and is based on the type of property, how many bedrooms it has, how well it is insulated, what type of heating system you have and several other factors. Your ‘deemed score’ dictates the amount of your Affordable Warmth Scheme grant and that is compared to the cost of replacing your faulty storage heaters or faulty boiler.
If your grant is high enough there will be no contribution to make. However, it would be your decision whether or not to go ahead with the installation once you know the amount of any contribution. If you decide not to, you can withdraw your application without cost.
Savings in your heating bills may more than cover any contribution
Modern electric storage heaters are up to 30% more efficient than older models so any contribution you do have to make may be repaid with lower heating bills.
If you do have to make a contribution to the cost of a replacement boiler, you should take into account that according to the Energy Saving Trust, replacing an old gas boiler without controls, to “a new A-rated condensing boiler with a programmer, room thermostat and thermostatic radiator controls could save you up to £280 per year for a mid-terrace house, up to £340 for a semi-detached house, up to £290 for a detached bungalow and up to £570 for a detached house”.
There are some things that your Affordable Warmth Scheme Grant won’t cover
Affordable Warmth Scheme boiler grants do not cover the installation of complete central heating systems, radiators, pumps or control systems. If additional work is required such as installing the new boiler in a different position to your old one, you may be asked to make a contribution to the cost of this.
Importantly, the Affordable Warmth Scheme does not provide funding to install new boilers and heating systems in houses where there currently isn’t one installed, unless your home has never had central heating.