Boiling point (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Boiling point

7:00am Saturday 23rd January 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

Forget that old clunker - it might be your boiler that's causing more emissions than's good for the planet. With the launch of the Government's Greener Boiler Initiative, however, you could trade in your old, polluting one for a brand new one - and pretty easily, too.

While the way you heat your home might seem harmless enough, it actually has a direct impact on the amount of carbon dioxide sent into the world's atmosphere every day.

Domestic heating currently accounts for 14% of Britain's CO2 emissions, according to the Energy Saving Trust (EST) - for the simple reason that many people still use energy-intensive boilers to keep themselves warm.

Under the Government's new Greener Boiler Initiative, however, the way you heat your home could make less of an impact on the planet and your wallet.

Unofficially known as the 'boiler scrappage scheme', this initiative will offer up a £400 incentive to 125,000 homeowners in England to replace their old Band G gas or oil-fired boiler with a new, high-efficiency condensing boiler or renewable heating system.

Politicians hope this measure will help the UK reach its target of reducing CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050.

The EST estimates there are at least 3.5m G-rated boilers currently in use in England, and that by taking 125,000 of them out of service, 140,000 tonnes of CO2 will be saved a year. That's the equivalent of taking 45,000 cars off the road.

However, the scheme has been criticised by climate campaigners, who note that millions will still be left vulnerable to fuel poverty.

"The boiler scrappage scheme is a welcome initiative, but pathetically small," says Friends of the Earth's Dave Timms.

"It will only reach 125,000 households when the UK has over 4 million inefficient G-rated boilers. A comprehensive programme to slash energy waste and fit renewable energy systems is desperately needed to tackle climate change, end fuel poverty and create thousands of green jobs."

Yet, according to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), it's all about rolling an eco-friendly ball in the right direction.

"We're hoping that by providing the £50m for this initiative in England alone, we're kick-starting a nationwide scheme to get energy-intensive and polluting boilers out and energy-efficient ones in," says a DECC spokesperson.

"Already we're seeing private companies like npower and British Gas start their own boiler scrappage schemes, and hope that once ours ends, theirs - and others - will continue."

:: What are the benefits of the scheme?

G-rated boilers are at the lowest of seven bands used in the central heating industry, measured to have an efficiency of less than 70%.

In layman's terms, this means that less than 70% of the energy generated from burning the oil or gas in your boiler actually heats your home or hot water. The rest disappears out into the open air.

In contrast, new boilers have rated efficiencies of 90% or more, which means that they burn less fuel and consequently emit less CO2.

Another benefit to the boiler scrappage scheme is that the voucher can be used for renewable heat technology like biomass or solar thermal, which means that you'd be helping to reduce CO2 emissions even further.

Then, there's the money question. By upgrading your G-rated boiler to an A-rated one, you could save a quarter on your household heating bills - some £235 a year, according to the EST.

The drawback is that the boiler scrappage scheme is only available in England at the moment.

:: Who is eligible?

The scheme is open to 125,000 householders in England living in an owned or privately-rented home on a first-come, first-served basis.

The boiler in question must be the main boiler used to heat the home and in working order. For those aged over 60, however, the boiler doesn't need to work.

The scheme is available only to homeowners and landlords who privately rent homes. Local authority registered social landlords, boiler installers and housing associations are not eligible.

:: What can I trade it in for?

The voucher can be redeemed against any A-rated gas, oil or LPG-fired boilers; Passive Flue Heat Recovery Device boilers; Micro CHP units; and Microgeneration Certification Scheme-registered biomass boilers and heat pumps.

It can also be used for solar thermal systems, if combined with an eligible boiler replacement.

Electric boilers, however, are not eligible.

:: How do I know if I qualify?

According to the EST, your boiler is likely to be G-rated if your gas boiler has a permanent pilot light on or is over 15 years old; or if the boiler is oil-fired and over 25 years old.

You can check to see if your boiler make and model is G-rated by noting both and going online to the SEDBUK Boiler Efficient Database [www.sedbuk.com].

The EST website [www.energysavingtrust.org.uk] also has a simple self-diagnosis tool to help homeowners identify if they have a Band G boiler, and, if so, whether they're eligible for the grant.

:: How do I apply?

Homeowners and tenants interested in the scheme need to first get a quote from a nominated (Gas Safe or OFTEC-registered) installer towards the cost of upgrading to an A-rated boiler.

They will then need to complete an online form (available on the EST website) or phone the EST's Act on CO2 advice line on 0800 512 012, with details about the boiler to be scrapped and the new one to be installed.

:: When will I get my voucher?

Applicants are encouraged to get a quote as soon as possible, as the £400 vouchers will be issued from January 18 and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Generally, you can expect to receive the voucher around 10 days after application. The voucher is limited to one per household and is valid for 12 weeks from the date of issue. If it's not redeemed in that time period, it will be cancelled and reallocated, although homeowners and tenants can reapply if their voucher expires, subject to availability.

Only once you've received the voucher can you proceed with the installation. You should also note that you will need to pay for the new boiler and installation before claiming back the £400 rebate.

:: Are there any other schemes available?

Yes there are. Homeowners and private tenants who receive certain benefits could be eligible for grants of £3,500 or more under England's Warm Front Scheme [www.warmfront.co.uk or 0800 316 2805].

The Warm Front Scheme could see you receive funding to install loft insulation, draught proofing and many other energy-friendly home improvements. However, bear in mind that you cannot receive funding under both the Warm Front Scheme and the boiler scrappage scheme.

There is also the Low Carbon Buildings Programme [www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk]. Under this scheme, you could get up to £2,500 to replace your old boiler with a heat pump, biomass boiler or solar hot water system - and you would still be eligible for the boiler scrappage scheme.

Some energy companies are also launching their own discounts for customers looking to upgrade their boilers. Both British Gas [www.britishgas.co.uk] and npower [www.npower.com] are offering discounts that, along with the Government grant, would knock off up to £800 towards the cost of a new boiler.

Finally, some boiler manufacturers, such as Worcester-Bosch Group, are also offering incentives to trade in your old clunker, such as an additional year's warranty to customers purchasing a new, A-rated boiler through the scrappage scheme.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)