Boiler scrappage scheme ends

The government boiler scrappage scheme has ended after 125,000 vouchers, offering £400 off of a new energy efficient boiler, have been claimed.

The scrappage scheme offers £400 towards
installing a new boiler
© ServiceMagic

The £50 million boiler scrappage scheme, launched by the government in January, has now come to an end. The initiative offered up to 125,000 households a £400 grant towards the cost of replacing an old, inefficient boiler with a new A-rated model. The scheme was a key part of the government ’s strategy for tackling fuel poverty and improving the energy efficiency of homes across the UK.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change says that as of the 16th March, 35,390 new boilers had been installed under the scheme. Those with the remaining vouchers need to have their new boiler installed and redeem the £400 grant within 12 weeks of the date they obtained the voucher.

Lord Hunt, the Energy and Climate Change Minister says: “The scheme has been a great success and is already helping people to cut down on their fuel bills. The scheme has also provided a much needed boost to England’s plumbers and boiler manufacturers.”

As well as the government boiler scrappage scheme, many boiler manufacturers and major energy companies have also been offering further grants towards installing new boilers, meaning that some homeowners have received as much as £800 towards the cost of a new boiler.

“We hope the industry will continue to offer incentives for households to upgrade their boilers, as there are still many of the worst performing boilers out there,” says Lord Hunt.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, you could save up to £235 per year by installing a new energy efficient boiler, which will convert 86% or more fuel into heat, compared to 65% in old boilers, which significantly reduces carbon emissions.

The boiler scrappage scheme was launched following the success of the Reheat Britain Campaign, launched by Mick Williams, of plumbers’ merchant Williams and Co in Hampshire. Williams’ petition for a boiler scrappage scheme on the number 10 website attracted 2,349 signatures. The scheme also supported UK boiler manufacturers like Baxi and heating engineers, providing them with extra work to combat the effects of the recession.

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