What does it mean for you?
January 2010 saw the launch of the government’s boiler scrappage scheme. The initiative offers homeowners a £400 incentive to replace your old boiler with a new gas or oil condensing boiler, designed to make domestic heating systems more energy efficient.
We at Drayton will be supporting the boiler scrappage scheme by offering advice to homeowners and installers on the correct controls for new condensing boilers, which will help to make home heating systems more energy efficient.
Why was the scheme introduced?
Domestic heating accounts for 14 per cent of the UK’s CO2 emissions and the UK has set one of the most ambitious CO2 emission reduction targets in the world.
The installation of an efficient heating system is an effective way of reducing household energy bills and CO2 emissions, and there are currently around three and a half million homes in England with inefficient boilers (G-rated or worse).
What are the benefits of upgrading your boiler?
Upgrading from a G-rated to an A-rated boiler can cut household energy bills by a quarter – an average saving of £235 a year. Plus, replacing 125,000 G-rated boilers should save around 140,000 tonnes of CO2 per year, the equivalent of taking 45,000 cars off the road.
Remember – to get the most benefit from upgrading your boiler, the correct heating controls should also be installed. Modern boilers need up to date controls to make them run more efficiently and to gain optimum savings and benefits from your heating system.
Who qualifies for the scheme?
The scheme is open to 125,000 householders in England living in an owned or privately rented home.
If you are a householder (including tenants) under 60 you can only apply for the scheme if the boiler you are scrapping is in working order and is the main boiler used to heat the home. If you are over 60 you can apply for the scheme regardless of whether the boiler works or not. However, it still needs to be the main boiler used to heat the home.
Registered social landlords and housing associations are not eligible to apply, as they are covered by alternative schemes such as the government’s
Decent Homes ProgrammeWhat about the boiler itself?
The boiler must be the least energy efficient type of boiler, a G-rated one. A good indicator, if you’re not sure whether your boiler is G-rated or not, is to see if it has a permanent pilot light. If it has, then it is likely to be G-rated.
For a clearer idea, check the website below to see if your boiler make and model is listed as G-rated or worse:
Government Boiler Efficiency Database
How does the scheme work?
For those who qualify, the boiler scrappage scheme works on a first come, first served basis.
First, homeowners should arrange for a quote or quotes for boiler replacement from a Gas Safe registered or OFTEC installer.
Once you have your quote you can register to receive your £400 voucher. You can
register on the Energy Saving Trust website or alternatively call the Act on CO2 advice line on 0800 512 012.
You will then receive your voucher approximately 10 days after the application. Vouchers are then valid for 12 weeks from this date.
Once your new boiler has been installed, you can send the voucher, along with the invoice, back to the Energy Saving Trust and claim your £400 rebate.
For further details on the boiler scrappage scheme, visit the
Energy Saving Trust website.