Energy News

Wales to offer £500 boiler scrappage scheme for over 60s

Tuesday, 30 March 2010

By Daniel Barnes- daniel@consumerchoices.co.uk

Over-60s in Wales are to receive £500 in a new boiler scrappage scheme.

Wales will launch a boiler scrappage scheme on 6 April with the over-60s being offered a £500 discount on a new boiler.

The Welsh Assembly Government is spending £2.5m to help 5,000 households in the principality upgrade their boilers adn cut their energy bills.

The boiler scrappage scheme will target people in fuel poverty, and will be open to applications from homeowners over the age of 60 who can apply for a £500 voucher towards the cost of replacing a G-rated boiler with an A-rated boiler.

Further discounts on top of the £500 voucher are also available from energy providers British Gas, Npower and Swalec, along with central heating specialist Eaga Heat.

Environment minister Jane Davidson said: “Replacing a G-rated boiler with an A-rated boiler could save households up to £235 per year in energy costs, as well as significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“The Assembly Government will also be investing an additional £1.4 million to tackle fuel poverty through our Home Energy Efficiency Scheme.”

So far the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme has helped more than 100,000 households across Wales with heating and insulation upgrades.

The Welsh boiler scrappage scheme will be form part of the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme and homes can apply through the scheme’s website. (www.heeswales.co.uk)

In England, the boiler scrappage scheme is now closed after 125,000 homes upgraded their boilers. Discounts on the cost of a new boiler, however, are still available from British Gas, E.On, Npower and Scottish & Southern.