Making The Most Of Boiler Scrappage
Although the worst of the winter may be behind us, the Government’s boiler scrappage scheme announced in December’s pre-budget report has so far been a resounding success.
Households in England with boilers that have a 'G' rating, signifying the lowest levels of energy efficiency, may apply for vouchers from the Energy Saving Trust which when put towards an 'A' rated boiler or a renewable powered heating system, may give them a redeemable saving of up to £400.
In the run up to its launch, it was claimed by the government that the £50m scheme would result in the equivalent of taking up to 45,000 cars off the road and reduce participants' energy bills by as much as £235 a year. However, this was criticised by Friends of the Earth as being a drop in the ocean, and well short of the comprehensive scheme that was hoped for.
Nevertheless, take up rates have been high since the official launch on 18 January, and of the 125,000 vouchers made available, over 54,000 have been snapped up. The South East of the country is currently leading the way in participation levels, with the north east representing the smallest interest.
The Energy Trust has noted that it is currently taking almost 5,000 calls a day, to express interest in the scheme. Naturally with such interest, long waits for vouchers have become a part of the process. But as an added sweetener, many energy companies are choosing to match the £400 cut with a £400 subsidy of their own.
To determine whether a boiler is 'G' rated, householders can simply check if it has a permanent pilot light on, or if it is gas or oil fired and more than 15 years old. If this is the case, then there is a high likelihood of eligibility. Householders aged under 60 can only apply if the boiler is the main boiler used to heat the home and is in working order, and for those aged over 60, the boiler does not even have to be functioning. But social landlords and housing associations do not qualify for any discount.
Whilst £400 represents a significant sum, the cost of installing a new boiler using a qualified engineer can cost from £2,000 to £3,000. Moreover, the householder is required to provide the EST with details of the old boiler, the installer chosen to fit the new boiler, and confirmation of a quote. After this has been given, the EST will refund up to £400 with a voucher that is valid for 12 weeks, the rebate taking about 25 days following the lodging of paperwork with the Trust.
In spite of the paperwork, consumers have not been deterred, regarding it as a win-win situation for both the environment and their own wallets. If only all green solutions were this simple!
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