The government-backed boiler scrappage scheme has been launched, with hopes of lowering energy bills and CO² levels.

A government boiler scrappage scheme, which was announced in the Pre Budget Report last month, has been launched in a bid to cut energy bills and the UK’s carbon footprint.
 
The scrappage scheme will enable households to get £400 off a new energy efficient boiler when they get rid of their old, inefficient boilers.

Up to 125,000 households in England will be able to benefit from the scheme, if their boiler is rated G or lower.

According to the government, the scheme will save households up to £235 in energy bills and save around 140,000 tonnes of CO² every year – the equivalent of taking 45,000 cars off the roads.

If a boiler is eligible for the scrappage scheme, the home owner will have to provide the Energy Saving Trust (EST) with details of the old boiler and of the installer chosen to fit the new one. Assuming everything is in order, the EST will issue a voucher worth £400 towards a new boiler from 18 January.

The new energy efficient boilers can cost between £2,000 and £3,000.

Some energy providers are gearing up to support the scheme, including British Gas, which is planning to match the government’s £400 discount.

The scheme is also hoped to safeguard jobs for thousands of installers nationwide.

More information about the boiler scrappage scheme can be found on the EST website: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/