Scotlands oil users now eligible for boiler scrappage scheme
Following the success of boiler scrappage schemes in England and Wales, OFTEC, the leading representative for oil heating and cooking in the UK and Ireland, is backing the decision to bring the scheme to Scotland.
From Monday 24th May 2010 eligible oil users in Scotland can apply for a £400 voucher towards the cost of upgrading to a greener A-rated boiler. Converting to an energy saving boiler could help households reduce their heating costs by about a quarter and save up to £190 a year on fuel bills.
The scrappage scheme in Scotland is designed to specifically target those at risk from fuel poverty and is open to applications from homeowners in Scotland with G-rated boilers, which are inefficient boilers converting less than 70 per cent of fuel into heat. Up to 5,000 homes are expected to benefit from the vouchers.
Director General of OFTEC, Jeremy Hawksley says: “The boiler scrappage scheme is the perfect way for oil users to upgrade to a more environmentally-friendly boiler; which will not only run more efficiently, but will reduce fuel bills significantly. Converting to an energy saving boiler also helps to cut carbon emissions. Replacing 5,000 boilers will save around 5,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. Similar schemes in England and Wales have proven very popular and so OFTEC is encouraging those who are eligible to act before all the vouchers are gone.”
To apply applicants need to visit the Energy Saving Scotland website www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland or telephone 0800 512 012. Successful applicants will be sent a voucher worth £400, which can then be redeemed for cash from the Energy Saving Trust once the boiler has been installed.
Jeremy adds, “It is important that homeowners ensure they use a reputable technician to carry out any works on their household heating systems. Technicians registered with OFTEC have the right to self certify their installation and commissioning works. They can notify these works through the OFTEC works notification scheme under current building regulations. Using an OFTEC registered technician provides the consumer with assurance of a professional service.” To find a technician near you see http://www.ofteconline.com/locatecompany.asp