London Boiler Cashback Scheme Launched

Boris Johnson has officially launched a scheme providing financial incentives for Londoners to replace their old inefficient boilers with more energy efficient ones. Between 2012-2015, Northern Ireland had a similar scheme that saw over 15,000 inefficient boilers scrapped and this proved to be very successful. The UK needs to have reduced its carbon emissions by 20% by 2020 and the London Boiler Cashback Scheme is hoped to help achieve this target. Boris Johnson estimates that as many as 6,500 homes will be helped by this scheme, assisting in lower heating bills for householders as well as the additional environmental boost it will provide. To qualify for the Boiler Cashback Scheme, which will provide a £400 voucher towards the cost of the new boiler, there are criteria that must be met: - The property must be in one of the 33 boroughs of London - The person applying must either be the homeowner or a private landlord who is registered with The Mayor’s London Rental Standard. - The boiler to be replaced must be 70% efficient or less, currently working and whose main function is to heat the home. - The new boiler must be A Rated, which means efficiency of above 90% - The installer must either be Gas Safe Registered, MCS certified, or a member of OTEC, HETAS or other competent persons scheme. In order to make an application for the Cashback scheme, applicants are being encouraged to get three different quotes for the work first to ensure value for money, that the installer has the necessary accreditation and to display that the work will definitely be going ahead. The application process is the following: - Check your boiler efficiency is 70% or under - Make application (and see full details) at http://www.london.gov.uk/boilers - Receive your £400 cashback voucher - Have the new A Rated boiler installed within 12 weeks - Send back your voucher with invoice - Receive £400 cashback While the scheme itself has received praise, there has been criticism that the scheme only applies to London and has not been rolled out to the rest of the UK. Many people outside London are using inefficient boilers and many are also classed as in fuel poverty. It is hoped that the London Boiler Cashback Scheme will be a success to encourage a plan to introduce it to everywhere outside the capital. Article by Benjamin Clarke RELATED ARTICLES • Why it's time to upgrade your radiators if they're over 15 years old 13th Aug 2015  • Why it's not worth sacrificing energy efficiency for aesthetics 6th Aug 2015  • The importance of annual heating system maintenance 7th Jul 2015   

---