Frequently Asked Questions – Boiler Scrappage Scheme

The Boiler Scrappage Scheme initiative from the Government allows you to get £400 off a new A-rated boiler or renewable heat technology, while you scrap your aging, inefficient G-rated boiler.

The scheme is relatively new and hence there are a number of questions concerning its operation. The following answers have been researched from the latest facts as released by the Government and the Energy Savings Trust who administer the scheme.

What is the benefit of having a national Boiler Scrappage Scheme?

The United Kingdom has a challenging carbon dioxide emission reduction target. The installation of an efficient central heating system is a very good way of bringing down family energy bills and carbon dioxide emissions, as home heating accounts for fourteen per cent of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions.

There are presently about three and a half million dwellings in England with the most inefficient type of boiler (G-rated or worse). As a result these homes are producing large amounts of carbon dioxide which could easily be reduced.

To cover this the authorities are offering up to 125,000 homes £400 toward the cost of upgrading their boiler (if G-rated or lower) to a high efficiency A-rated boiler or a renewable heating technology. This initiative will help to cut in the region of 140,000t carbon dioxide annually – equal to removing 45,000 cars off the road.

What are the advantages to me in upgrading my boiler?

New boilers have recorded efficiencies of ninety per cent or more implying that they use less fuel, producing lower carbon dioxide discharges and operating costs. Renewable heating technologies do not consume fossil fuels, boiling down carbon dioxide discharges still further. For instance, this implies by upgrading your G-rated boiler to an A-rated boiler, your family heating charge should drop by approximately 25 percent – a saving, on the average, of approximately £235 a year.

Is the scheme available across the UK ?

The Boiler Scrappage Scheme is available in England. The recent devolution of power to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland means that their governments and assemblies will take decisions on whether they wish to operate similar schemes. If you are in one of these areas you should look at the  boiler offers from the national boiler installers many of whom are matching the Boiler Scrappage Scheme discounts without requiring this location criteria.

How can I learn if my boiler is G-rated?

The first place to look is at our Boiler Efficiency Database which contains the information on most boilers in operation over the last 20 years. This will give you a guide as to the efficiency rating of your boiler, please note that the final decision on whether you qualify for the grant lies with the Energy Savings Trust.

If you do not look at the database a quick test you can undertake (on a gas boiler) is to check if it has a permanent pilot light, only do this if it can be seen without any need to dissassemble the boiler. If your old boiler has a pilot light has then it is probably a G-rated boiler. If your boiler is gas fired and aged over fifteen years old it is quite likely to be eligible for the boiler scrappage scheme. The age requirement differs for oil fired boilers and in this situation if it is over twenty five years old, it is likely to be eligible for the scheme.

As a final option you could ask your selected boiler installer to help you in determining whether your boiler is G rated and eligible for the scheme or not.

How can I register for the Boiler Scrappage Scheme?

If your house has a G-rated or worse boiler and you want to register for the scheme to get a £400 cashback voucher toward the cost of your upgrading to an A-rated boiler then first of all you must arrange for your proposed installer to call and supply you with a quotation for the work. Ensure that this is without obligation to protect you should you not qualify for the grant.

When you have the quotation then check you have the following information to hand before filling out the online web form at the Energy Savings Trust – or telephoning their Act on CO2 advice telephone line on 0800 512 012:

You will need to provide: -

  • Your full name.
  • The postal address of the property you want to claim the voucher for.
  • The make and name of the boiler being scrapped.
  • The company name, postal address and contact details of the installer completing out the work.
  • The type of replacement boiler to be installed for example. gas, biomass.

When will I receive the voucher?

The Boiler Scrappage Scheme cashback vouchers will be issued from 18 January 2010 until all the fund has been exhausted. You should get the voucher some 10 days after your application has been received by the Energy Savings Trust depending on the volume of applications. Vouchers are valid for twelve weeks from date of issue so you should not delay once the voucher has been received.

How will payment of the £400 be made?

When you have received the Boiler Scrappage Scheme cashback voucher, you can then tell your boiler installer to start the boiler installation. When they have completed the work will need to pay for the new boiler before you can use the voucher to claim back the £400, sending your cashback voucher and the installers invoice to the Energy Savings Trust. Payment should be issued within 25 working days of their receipt of the voucher and related invoice.

What happens if my voucher expires and I have not replaced the boiler?

If the voucher is not redeemed within the twelve weeks validity period, it will be invalidated and reallocated to another household as there is a limited fund for the grants. There will be just one voucher per household, but if the voucher expires, you could apply for an new voucher and this could be issued if funds are still uncommitted. This is not guaranteed as there are limited funds. New boiler Installations made before receipt of your cashback voucher will void your claim and you will not be entitled to get the £400 rebate.