Boiler Scrappage Scheme: Cash for Old Boilers - How to Apply
Please note: The Boiler Scrappage Scheme is now closed and there is limited funding left under the ECO (Energy Companies Obligation) for a boiler grant.
As part of Government action to reduce CO2 emissions, around 125,000 householders were eligible for a £400 voucher for scrapping their old G-rated boilers through the now closed Boiler Scrappage Scheme. The vouchers could then be put towards the cost of a new A-rated boiler or renewable energy heating system with effect from 18th January 2010.
Boiler Scrappage Scheme eligibility
The scheme was open to homeowners and private landlords in England. For the boiler to be scrapped, it had to be the main boiler used in the home and have been fully-functional, although there was an acception those over 60 years old. Once accepted onto the scheme, the household was entitled to 1 voucher to put towards a new, efficient boiler.
Eligibility criteria
This following criteria had to be met to be successful in applying for the scheme:
- Have a boiler in working order with a SAP2005 efficiency rating of less than 70%. You can check your boiler’s efficiency rating at Home Heating Guide on their boiler efficiency rating page.
- Anyone aged over 60 with a broken boiler but has a SAP2005 efficiency rating of less than 70%, could still apply.
- Had to install an Energy Saving Trust Recommended (ESTR) boiler or a Microgeneration Certification Scheme accredited model.
- The property where the boiler had to be installed in a domestic address in Scotland.
- The applicant had to be the owner/occupier of the residential property.
- Receive a written/verbal quotation for the boiler replacement.
- You must make an application and receive your voucher before having the boiler replaced. The installation must not have commenced before the date on which the rebate voucher is received.
- The installer had to be Gas Safe registered (for gas installation) and be a member of a recognised industry body such as OFTEC.
- Installation of a microgeneration technology must be carried out by a person qualified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme.
Benefits of the Boiler Scrappage Scheme
The scrappage scheme was introduced to help counter the effects of global warming, as old G-rated boilers emit higher levels of CO2. Householders will find a reduction in energy costs through more fuel efficient A-rated boilers.
Qualifying boilers
Only G-rated boilers qualified for the scheme as they’re likely to include gas boilers with a permanent pilot light, those over 15 years old and oil fired boilers over 25 years old, as these will all have an efficiency rating lower than 70%.
The voucher could be put towards the cost of the following A-rated or renewable energy heating systems:
- A-rated gas, oil or LPG boilers
- Boilers with a Passive Flue Heat Recovery Device
- Solar Thermal systems in conjunction with a suitable boiler replacement
- Micro CHP units
- Microgeneration Certification Scheme-registered biomass boilers and heat pumps
Boiler Scrappage Scheme applications
Applying for a £400 voucher involved arranging for a quote from a qualified installer to convert to one of the above types of heating systems. It was then a case of contacting the Energy Saving Trust with the following details:
- Your name
- The address of the property where your boiler is sited
- The make and model of your old boiler
- Name, address and contact details of your installer
- The type of boiler that will replace your old boiler
After getting the invoice for the installation from the installer, it was then a simple case of sending it with the £400 voucher to the Energy Saving Trust.
Boiler Scrappage in Scotland
Please note: The Boiler Scrappage Scheme is now closed and there is limited funding left under the ECO (Energy Companies Obligation) for a boiler grant.
After the success of the first Boiler Scrappage Scheme, Scotland offered a similar rebate on replacing old inefficient boilers for a new A-rated boiler from February 1, 2011 – this scheme has now closed.
The Scottish Government allocated £1m to the scheme which saw vouchers offered to homeowners north of the border. The aim was to replace low efficiency boilers with A-rated Energy Saving Trust recommended boilers, to save 2,500 tonnes of CO2 being omitted in Scotland per year, cut the cost of Scottish homeowner's energy bills and provide the heating industry with a host of new work. The scheme was operated by the Energy Saving Trust and offered an allowance of £400 to homeowners looking to replace boilers of less than 70% efficiency.
Alex Neil, Housing and Communities Minister, said: "Through the boiler scrappage scheme we will help replace rickety old boilers for new energy saving models and importantly, put money back in the pockets of householders. At the same time we are providing an economic stimulus for the heating industry, supporting jobs and helping it get through this financially difficult time."
Application process in Scotland
Eligible homeowners in Scotland then had to go through an application process with the Energy Saving Trust, providing:
- Full name.
- The address of the property to claim the voucher for.
- The make and name of the boiler being scrapped.
- The company name, address and contact details of the installer carrying out the work.
- The type of replacement boiler to be installed e.g. gas, biomass etc.
- Confirmation of the quote received from the installer carrying out the work.
Important Information
- Payment for the boiler and installation work had to be made up-front.
- The £400 discount could be claimed back by sending the completed voucher and invoice back to the Energy Saving Trust.
- Installation had to be carried out once the voucher had been received, otherwise the application became invalid.