The boiler scrappage scheme in Scotland is now closed as all 4,600 vouchers have been claimed. The scheme provided householders with £400 towards the cost of a new, high efficiency boiler, on a first come, first served basis.
The boiler scrappage scheme in England closed to new applicants in March as all of the 125,000 vouchers were allocated to homeowners.
The Welsh boiler scrappage scheme is still open and will provide up to 5000 homeowners (who are over 60 with working Band G rated boilers) with vouchers for £500 towards the cost of a replacement boiler or a microgeneration technology. For more information, please visit the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) Wales website.
What is the boiler scrappage scheme?
The boiler scrappage scheme was introduced by the Government to provide a grant of £400 toward the cost of replacing old G rated boilers with new A rated models. The grant was available to 125,000 households in England on a first come first served basis, and Energy Saving Trust (EST) was responsible for the administration of the scheme.
Under the Scottish boiler scrappage scheme which is now closed to new applicants, the high efficiency boiler that replaced your boiler must have been recommended by The Energy Saving Trust (EST). Main is proud that all of our SEDBUK Band A rated boilers are EST listed.
Who can apply for the grant?
The scheme in Wales is aimed at people over 60, and is a grant of £500 towards the costs of a new boiler. Vouchers for the scheme have been available since 6 April 2010, and will be managed alongside the Welsh Assembly Government's Home Energy Efficiency Scheme by Eaga Cymru. Installers are also able to register with the scheme from 1 April via the HEES website.
The Assembly in Northern Ireland will be responsible for allocating funds for a similar schemes.
My boiler still works. Why should I replace it?
If the boiler has a permanent pilot light or is over 10 years old, it could be G rated. That means it is less than 70 per cent efficient. That means the 30 per cent of the fuel it burns is wasted. A new high efficiency A rated boiler is over 90 per cent efficient, which means you will get over 20 per cent more heat and hot water from the fuel. And that could reduce fuel bills by up to £235 a year. In addition, it will substantially reduce the home's carbon footprint.
How can I tell if the boiler is G rated?
If the boiler has a permanent pilot light, or if it is gas fired and over fifteen years old, or oil fired and over twenty five years old, it is likely to be eligible.
Every boiler has a boiler identifier, which, in conjunction with the manufacturer's name, is unique for the model. It may be a GC (formerly Gas Council) number for a gas boiler or OFTEC registration number for an oil boiler, or some other unique reference chosen by the manufacturer and marked on the boiler. Your Gas Safe registered installer will be able to find the number for you.
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) website also has information to help you identify if your boiler is eligible.
The boiler is G rated. How do I apply?
For Welsh homeowners over the age of 60, apply for your £500 grant on the HEES Wales website.
