Boris Johnson has announced the London Boiler Scrappage Cashback Scheme, which will give up to 6500 owner-occupiers and accredited private landlords £400 cashback on boiler replacements in London.
“This scorching scheme will help 6500 London homes become more energy efficient and cut annual bills. As well as saving hard earned cash, upgrading an old boiler gives the environment a huge boost by lowering carbon emissions and making our air sweeter. I encourage everyone harbouring ancient boiler artefacts to sign up to my Boiler Cashback Scheme now and benefit from a brand new cost effective heating system.”
The scheme applies to replacements of working but inefficient boilers (rated at 70% efficient or less) with a new ‘A’ rated model, or a renewable/low carbon heating system. The installation must be carried out by a registered Gas Safe engineer, or equivalent.
The announcement, which comes during the annual Cold Homes Week, is part of the Mayor’s Climate Change Mitigation and Energy Strategy (CCMES), which aims to slash London’s emissions by 60% by 2025, compared to 1990 levels. The £2.6m scheme will be administered by the Energy Saving Trust.
Industry reaction to the new scheme has been positive, and it is widely regarded as a welcome boost to the industry.
Tim Pollard, Head of Sustainability at Plumb Center, says: ” A mild winter and continuing economic uncertainty has led to many homeowners stalling on plans to update their heating systems, and with the majority of boilers being manufactured in the UK, this has created an unwelcome situation throughout the supply chain. So although a London-centric scheme, the benefits of the GLA’s investment will be felt far beyond the M25.”
Stewart Clements, Director of HHIC, adds: “It is refreshing that the scheme will be marketed via the local boroughs’ existing referral mechanisms to ensure that those in fuel poverty and with seasonal health needs are targeted and that Gas Safe Registered installers will be able to undertake the installation work without being forced to gain additional and costly accreditations. The Mayor and his team have clearly done their homework and are pulling out all of the stops to deliver a first class programme. I hope that MP’s are watching closely so that once the benefits are clearly demonstrated it can be rolled out across their constituencies.”
Paul Hardy, MD at Baxi, comments: “With over 50% of the population in London living in rented accommodation, the scheme is a valuable opportunity for tenants to encourage their landlords to upgrade their heating system, and benefit from lower energy bills as a result – saving as much as £340 a year. The fact that replacement must be installed by a Gas Safe registered installer means the scheme will also play a significant role in once again highlighting to consumers the importance of choosing an accredited installer for any gas boiler work.”
OFTEC has long championed the idea of boiler scrappage, and Director General Jeremy Hawksley says he is pleased that oil boilers are included in the London scheme: “It demonstrates what we have been saying all along – that boiler scrappage is an ideal way to help UK households reduce carbon emissions from heating in a practical, affordable way.”
Neil Schofield, Head of External Affairs at Worcester, has praised the simplicity of the London based scheme: “Where previous industry incentives have involved too much red tape, the London Boiler Cashback Scheme does away with the complications and makes things as simple as possible for both the installer and the householder.”
Widening the net
While many are praising the London Cashback scheme, they are also calling for more areas of the UK to implement a similar programme.
Peter Thom, MD of Cambridge-based Green Heat Ltd., is calling on more regions across the country to follow the London Mayor’s lead: “Boris and his team are to be congratulated on launching such a sensible, cost-effective initiative. This scheme is also open to all accredited heating installers – whatever the size of their business – avoiding any monopoly of the big energy suppliers, which has hindered take-up of schemes in the past.”
Jeremy Hawksley: “A simple, UK-wide boiler scrappage scheme is a realistic to carbon reduction which appeals to the majority of homeowners. If the Government can achieve mass consumer support, the fall in greenhouse gas emissions from heating would be enormous.”
Paul Hardy: “No doubt the scheme will be welcome news for Londoners, but with research showing that there are currently over 2.3million fuel poor homes in England, we hope to see other cities across the UK follow suit.”
