Up to 5,000 households in Scotland can claim £400 off the cost of a new boiler from today.

The Energy Saving Scotland boiler scrappage scheme will give cashback to thousands of households with the most inefficient boilers.

Installing a greener boiler will help slash average household heating costs by a quarter, around £235 a year for a three bed semi-detached house.

The Energy Saving Scotland advice network will today begin issuing £400 vouchers towards installation of a certified energy saving boiler. The scheme will operate on a first come, first served basis - call 0800 512 012.

Energy Minister Jim Mather said: "There has never been a better time to get rid of an old, inefficient and costly boiler. Our scrappage scheme will offset the cost of a new energy saving boiler, helping people to live in greener homes which cost less to run. This scheme will also provide a stimulus for the heating industry, supporting jobs at this crucial time."


Replacing 5,000 boilers will save around 5,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year - equivalent to taking around 2,000 cars off the road.

The Energy Saving Scotland boiler scrappage scheme will be run through the Energy Saving Scotland advice network.

The scheme will be open to households with the most inefficient, G-rated boilers. If eligible, households will receive a £400 voucher towards the installation of a new boiler. The advice network will issue vouchers, available either by calling 0800 512 012 or though the Energy Saving Trust website.

The scheme will operate on a first come, first served basis. New boilers must be certified under the Energy Saving Trust Recommended scheme and be installed within 12 weeks of requesting the voucher.

The Boiler Scrappage Scheme supports the aims of the Scottish Government's forthcoming Energy Efficiency Action Plan for Scotland, which will set out a suite of policies and programmes to help reduce energy consumption across all sectors.

The Scottish Government announced in February that it would commit in full the £2 million Scotland received as a result of UK Government expenditure on its boiler scrappage scheme.

Additional discounts are available from a range of suppliers when boilers are installed under the boiler scrappage scheme.

(GK)