What is the purpose of the Boiler Scrappage Scheme?

The Government has 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, as domestic heating accounts for 14% of the countrys CO2 emissions.

There are currently around three and a half million homes in England with the very least efficient type of boiler (G-rated or worse).

To address this the Government is offering up to 125,000 households £400 towards the cost of upgrading their boiler (if G-rated or equivalent or worse) to a high efficiency A-rated one or a renewable heating technology. This will help to save in the region of 140,000t CO2 per year - equivalent to taking 45,000 cars off the road.

What are the benefits in upgrading your boiler?

New boilers have rated efficiencies of 90% or more meaning that they use less fuel, resulting in lower CO2 emissions and running costs. Renewable heat technologies do not use fossil fuels, reducing CO2 emissions still further. For example, this means by upgrading your G-rated boiler to an A-rated one, your household heating bill should drop by about a quarter - a saving, on average, of around £235 a year.

Who is eligible for the scheme?

The scheme is open to 125,000 householders in England living in an owned or privately rented home. Please note: 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 a householder (including tenants) and 60 or over you can apply for the scheme regardless of whether the boiler you are scrapping is in working order. However, it still needs to be the main boiler used to heat the home.

Only householders and landlords who privately own and rent dwellings are eligible to apply for a voucher. Boiler installers and manufacturers, local authority registered social landlords, and housing associations are not eligible to apply.

If you own your own home or rent it from a private landlord and are in receipt of certain benefits, you may be eligible for a grant of up to £3,500 (or £6,000 where oil, low carbon or renewable technologies are recommended) under the Warm Front Scheme.

See below for more details, or alternatively visit: www.warmfront.co.uk. Please note you cannot receive funding under both Warm Front and the Boiler Scrappage Scheme.

How can you tell if your boiler is G-rated?

A good quick test for gas boilers is to see if it has a permanent pilot light -if it has then it is very likely to be a G-rated boiler. If it is gas fired and over fifteen years old it is likely to be eligible. If it is oil fired and over twenty five years old, it is likely to be eligible.

For a better idea, why not see if your boiler make and model is listed as G-rated or worse by going to the:

- Government Boiler Efficiency Database - SEDBUK Boiler Efficiency Database

Alternatively, you can ask us to assist you in determining whether your boiler is eligible.

Want to register for the Boiler Scrappage Scheme?

If you believe that your home has a G-rated or worse boiler and wish to register for the scheme to receive a £400 cashback voucher towards the cost of upgrading to an A-rated boiler then firstly ask us to visit and provide you with a quote.

Once you have the quote then please ensure you have the following information to hand before completing the online web form- or calling our Act on CO2 advice line on 0800 512 012:

- Your full name. - The address of the property you wish to claim the voucher for. - The make and name of the boiler being scrapped. - The company name, address and contact details of the installer carrying out the work. - The type of replacement boiler to be installed e.g. gas, biomass.

When will the vouchers be issued?

The £400 vouchers will be issued from 18 January 2010. You will receive the voucher approximately ten days after application. Vouchers are valid for 12 weeks from date of issue. If the voucher is not redeemed within this time, it will be cancelled and reallocated. There will be only one voucher per household, but if the voucher expires, it will be possible to apply for another if funds are available. Installations made before receipt of your voucher will invalidate your claim and you will no longer be eligible to receive the £400 rebate.

Please note that no vouchers will be sent out before 18. January 2010.

Which boilers and boiler manufacturers can the vouchers be redeemed against?

Vouchers can be redeemed against a boiler from manufacturer which is for A-rated or equivalent gas, oil or LPG boilers, boilers with a Passive Flue Heat Recovery Device, Micro CHP units or biomass boilers and heat pumps. Solar Thermal is also eligible if combined with an eligible boiler replacement. Electric boilers are not eligible.

How will payment of the £400 be made?

Once you have received your voucher, you can then proceed with the installation. You will need to pay for the new boiler and installation before you can then claim back the £400 by sending the voucher and invoice to us. If you proceed with your installation before you receive your voucher, this will invalidate your claim and you will no longer be eligible for the £400 rebate.

Payment will be issued within 25 working days of receipt of the voucher and invoice.

What other schemes are available to help you with the cost of installing new heating systems or energy efficiency measures?

1. Warm Front

The Warm Front Scheme in England, which provides owner occupier or privately rented households with a package of insulation and/or heating measures up to a maximum value of £3,500 (or £6,000 where oil, low carbon or renewable technologies are recommended).

Measures include:

- Hot water tank insulation

- Repairs of an existing heating system

- Gas, electric, oil central heating

visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk for full details

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