What's going on with boiler scrappage?
Since the first announcement by the Chancellor, we've received a lot of questions about how the new scheme will work.
Our answers to the most common questions so far are below.
(Updated 27th March)
Where is boiler scrappage happening?
The boiler scrappage scheme for England was announced in November, and applications started on 18th January.
The scheme proved incredibly popular and, by 26th March, all 125,000 vouchers had been claimed.
With the Chancellor failing to include an extension in the budget, the scheme is now closed, and unused vouchers are not even being reissued to new claimants.
This is very disappointing and means that the government will not in fact be providing the full £50 million funding for new boilers that was promised in the pre-budget report.
In Wales and Scotland, however, the schemes are just beginning. In Wales, over-60s will be able to apply for £500 from 6th April, and we'll add a link here when we have more details.
In Scotland, we're still waiting to hear more, but will fill you in when we know how things will work.
There are no plans yet for boiler scrappage in Northern Ireland, so please sign up to the petition here.
For the record...
Here are the FAQs about the scheme in England, which is now closed.
How does it work?
We have lobbied hard to make sure boiler scrappage is simple to operate, and that the grants are paid to the householder so you can get several competitive quotes and really save money on the deal.
We succeeded, and believe the new scheme will be simple for both householders and heating engineers to operate.
Before applying for a voucher, you need to check your boiler is G-rated and get a quote.
Then, submit your details and the details of your contractor and boiler to the Energy Saving Trust, who will issue a voucher.
You can then claim £400 back using the voucher and an invoice that shows the work was carried out. The EST say they will pay back the money within 25 working days.
Full details and the online form for applications can be found on the EST website - click on the link opposite for the main page for the scheme.
How much can I claim?
Each household that scraps a working G rated boiler will receive an incentive of £400.
The total number of boilers covered in the first year will be 125,000. Needless to say, we hope that the scheme will be extended if demand is high.
You can claim the incentive on top of any renewable energy grants, but if you are eligible for Warm Front (see below), you should claim this instead (you get much more from Warm Front anyway).
Some energy companies are offering extra scrappage incentives on top of the government scheme, but shop around for the best deal. You may find that local independent plumbers are much cheaper than any of the big companies.
How can I tell if my boiler is eligible for scrappage?
All working G rated boilers (or older unrated models) will be eligible for the scrappage incentive of £400.
To see if your boiler is G rated, you can check the list of models on the Ofgem website here: G rated boilers list.
If your boiler isn't listed there, you can see what its rating is (or find out if it is unrated) by searching the comprehensive SEDBUK database here: www.sedbuk.com
My boiler isn't G rated. Is there any other help I can claim?
There are a number of other schemes that provide help with heating and insulation improvements, so you may qualify for these.
If you are a pensioner receiving Pension Credit, or under 60 and receiving certain benefits, you may qualify for the much more
generous Warm Front scheme. This gives up to £3,500 for a wide
range of home energy improvements. You can check if you qualify here: www.warmfront.co.uk/do-i-qualify.htm
Pensioners who are not eligible for full Warm Front assistance can still apply for a £300 grant under Warm Front's rebate scheme here: www.warmfront.co.uk/heating-rebate-scheme.htm
The Energy Saving Trust has an online search service to help householders find other grants and offers, including from your local council: Search for grants.
Or, for advice by phone on finding grants, call your local Energy Saving Trust advice centre on 0800 512 012.
I have an oil-fired boiler, can I claim?
There are many G rated oil burning boilers in use, and these will be included in the scrappage scheme too.
The Oil Firing Technical Association have welcomed the scheme and outlined some of the benefits to oil heating customers too. See here: http://www.oilfiredup.com/site/news/item/924
You can also check the links in the previous question to see if your oil boiler is on the list of G rated models.
I want to install solar water heating, can I claim for scrappage too?
Yes, the Energy Saving Trust specifically says that householders replacing their G rated boilers with a new boiler or renewable heat unit will qualify.
I have a plumber booked this month to replace my boiler, should I postpone this job?
As long as you receive your voucher before the work starts, you can still claim, so make sure you apply as soon as possible - the EST will start issuing vouchers from 18th January.
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NEW: Petition to the Northern Ireland Assembly
Click on the map to find out how to push for boiler scrappage in Northern Ireland - the only place in the UK set to miss out!
