As colder weather arrives in the UK, so does the demand for reliable heating. For boiler installers, this is the most important time of year to generate work—but not all boiler leads are created equal.
Whether you're a Gas Safe engineer, a heating contractor, or part of a larger energy efficiency firm, getting qualified boiler leads that convert is critical. And with ECO4 and GBIS funding available, there's a real opportunity to help homeowners cut their heating bills while keeping your calendar full.
In this guide, we'll cover how to generate better boiler installation leads this winter, what makes a lead "qualified", and how to use property data to align your lead gen strategy with government-backed schemes.
🔍 What Are Qualified Boiler Leads?
When we talk about qualified boiler leads, we mean potential customers who meet these basic criteria:
- ✅ They own their home (or are landlords)
- ✅ Their boiler is old, broken, or inefficient
- ✅ They are actively looking to replace or upgrade
- ✅ They understand the investment or are seeking funding support
- ✅ They are within your service area
If your leads aren't meeting these standards, you're likely wasting time on cold or low-intent enquiries.
❌ The Problem With Traditional Boiler Lead Platforms
Many boiler installation firms rely on third-party platforms to generate leads. While this can work short-term, issues often arise:
- ❌ Leads are shared with multiple installers
- ❌ You pay whether the job converts or not
- ❌ Some leads are just info requests or tyre-kickers
- ❌ There's no way to tell if they qualify for ECO4 or GBIS
That's why a growing number of heating businesses are switching to data-driven lead strategies—especially as ECO4 and GBIS become more central to how people fund energy upgrades.
💡 What Is ECO4 and How Does It Help With Boiler Leads?
ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation phase 4) is a government-funded scheme that supports low-income and fuel-poor households with home energy upgrades. Under ECO4, boiler replacement is no longer a standalone measure, but can still be part of a larger retrofit, such as:
- First-time central heating systems
- Heating controls
- Insulation measures
- Heat pumps (in some cases)
Good ECO4 boiler leads are often found in homes that:
- Have an EPC rating of E, F or G
- Are electrically heated or have broken/inefficient systems
- Have occupants on qualifying benefits or fall under LA Flex
While ECO4 is stricter than previous versions, the value per install is higher—and customers are more likely to commit once funding is confirmed.
🌡️ What About GBIS and Heating Measures?
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) is primarily focused on affordable insulation upgrades like loft and cavity wall measures.
However, it is expanding to include heating controls as a supported measure—especially when installed alongside insulation. That means if you're a boiler installer offering programmable thermostats or TRVs as part of your service, you may be able to combine measures to help customers qualify.
These customers might not be looking for a full boiler system right away, but they're often:
- Thinking about energy costs
- Open to eco-upgrades
- Likely to replace an inefficient boiler soon
This makes them prime candidates for nurturing into high-intent boiler leads.
📍 How to Target the Right Homes Using Property & EPC Data
Instead of relying on generic pay-per-lead services, some installers now use tools and platforms that offer real UK property data to find homes likely to need boiler upgrades.
Platforms like HomeBuyerLeads don't provide direct personal details or scheme eligibility data, but they do allow you to:
- 🎯 Filter homes by EPC rating (e.g. D–G)
- 🏘️ Target recently purchased properties (where upgrades are likely)
- ❄️ Spot homes with electric-only heating (more likely to upgrade)
- 📮 Narrow down postcodes where funding eligibility is higher
This kind of targeting helps you spend less on ads, flyers or cold outreach—and more time on leads that are actually a good fit for boiler installs under ECO4 or GBIS.
Note: Since this data doesn't include personal information or benefit status, it's not guaranteed that a lead qualifies for a scheme. But it does help you focus on higher-probability households.
📦 What Should Be in Your Winter Boiler Lead Strategy?
Here's how the most effective boiler installers are approaching winter lead generation in 2025:
1. Run Local Facebook Ad Campaigns
Use Facebook ads to target:
- Homeowners aged 35–65+
- People living in EPC D–G homes (use postcode data)
- Those recently moved or renovating
Pair this with clear messaging:
"Worried about heating bills? You may qualify for help upgrading your boiler or controls."
2. Send Direct Mail to High-Potential Streets
Flyers still work when targeted correctly. Use EPC and property data to identify:
- Detached or semi-detached homes
- Electric-only heating or older heating systems
- Households with children or elderly occupants
Your flyer or letter should offer:
- A free quote or eligibility check
- Details on possible funding
- Proof of previous installs or TrustMark certification
3. Educate Leads About Scheme Options
Most people aren't familiar with ECO4 or GBIS in detail. Be the installer who explains it simply:
- Show how it works
- Outline what upgrades are covered
- Explain how they may qualify
- Offer to assist with the paperwork
This builds trust—and increases conversion.
🧠 Final Word: Winter Is Boiler Season—But Smart Targeting Wins
There's no shortage of people thinking about their heating this winter.
But the installers winning more work in 2025 are not the ones buying shared leads—they're the ones using data, insight, and local targeting to focus on qualified boiler leads who actually want the work done.
By aligning your strategy with ECO4, GBIS, and verified home data, you'll not only book more jobs—you'll avoid wasting time chasing the wrong prospects.
Want to Target Properties Likely to Need a Boiler Upgrade?
Platforms like HomeBuyerLeads let you filter for:
- EPC D–G homes
- Electric heating systems
- Recently moved owners
- High-need postcodes
It's not a list of confirmed ECO4/GBIS applicants—but it's a smart way to get ahead of the competition this winter.
