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UK boiler scrappage: questions answered

What's a G-Rated boiler and other frequently asked questions about the boiler scrappage scheme...

On 5 January 2010, the UK Government introduced its boiler scrappage scheme, giving homeowners £400 towards a new boiler when replacing one which is G-Rated. 

In the days that followed, npower, which launched its own boiler scrappage scheme in December, reported a ten-fold increase in appointments for replacement or new boiler installations.

Here, npower hometeam employee Joe Jose, answers all your questions on the boiler scrappage scheme. 

Who's eligible for the Government's scrappage scheme?

Households need to check that their boiler is G-rated, is in full working order and is the main boiler to heat the house, or provide hot water - or both!  However, homeowners aged over 60 can apply for the scheme regardless of whether the boiler they are scrapping currently works.

It's worth noting that if customers are not eligible for the Government scheme, they could still be eligible for npower's £400 discount if their boiler is over 10 years old.

How do I know if my boiler is G-Rated?

There are a few quick checks you can do at home.  Firstly, if your boiler has a permanent pilot light, it is likely to be G-Rated.  Similarly, if it is more than 15 years old and gas-fired, or oil-fired and over 25 years old, you're likely to be eligible. Alternatively, check online at www.energysavingstrust.co.uk

How does the scrappage scheme work?

After checking they are eligible for the scheme, homeowners then need to arrange a quote for a new boiler from a qualified installer such as npower hometeam. Once this is complete, consumers should contact the Energy Saving Trust with the details from the installer to register for a voucher.

Homeowners must pay the installer in full, then send the invoice and voucher to the Energy Saving Trust to receive the £400 grant.  This will be received within 25 working days. For schemes such as npower's scrappage scheme, these will be subtracted from the installation cost up front. 

How do I get £800 off?

In December, npower became the first energy supplier to launch its own boiler scrappage scheme.  This, coupled with the Government announcement, means homeowners could now be eligible to receive as much as £800 towards the cost of a new boiler, when replacing one that is G-Rated. That's almost a third off the average installation cost according to the HHIC!   Got to www.npower.com/hometeam to make an appointment.

When will the money run out?

There's approximately four million G-rated boilers in the UK, but there are only 125,000 grants available under the Government's scheme.

npower's £400 discount scheme is a limited offer and  only a finite number of vouchers will be available from the Government.  Therefore anyone looking to take advantage of both schemes - for a potential £800 discount - should act quickly to avoid disappointment.

Why was the scrappage scheme introduced?

After the success of the car scrappage scheme, boiler scrappage was thought to be a great way to make Britain's homes more energy efficient.  Domestic heating accounts for 14% of the country's CO2 output.

A new boiler can save homeowners over £200 off an annual gas bill compared to a G-Rated boiler. Secondly, very old boilers, unless properly maintained, can pose a health and safety risk.

How do I register for the scheme?

For more details on the Energy Saving Trust £400 voucher call 0800 512 012 or visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

For further information on npower's £400 offer call 0800 0722 999 or visit www.npower.com