Do you have an old boiler that's barely doing its job or is it eating power and making the meter spin?

Last week the Government launched its Boiler Scrappage Scheme and if you have a G-rated boiler or worse (see below), you are entitled to apply for a voucher that will give you up to £400 off the price of a new boiler.

Ultimately this could mean a potential saving for them of between £200 and £235 per year off fuel bills by upgrading to a modern "A rated" efficient boiler.

Landlords of private rented properties are also entitled to apply for the vouchers.

John Mann, Member of Parliament for Bassetlaw has welcomed this new scheme saying "the recent cold spell has seen us putting up the thermostat and switching on our central heating for longer hours. This period has been even more costly for people with old boilers and this will help lower the cost of installing a cheaper more efficient system".

John added "This is also good news for environment because older boilers are not good for this country's carbon emissions and this scheme will help the UK meet its international targets".

Vouchers can be obtained from The Energy Saving Trust by calling 0800 512012 or by visiting their website at http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/

 20 January 2010

This advice is quoted from the Energy Savings Trust:

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 your nominated installer to assist you in determining whether your boiler is eligible.