Homeowners and landlords left frustrated by delays with government's flagship Green Deal scheme are being urged to get round the problem by snapping up a cost-saving initiative to make their properties more energy efficient.

Firstcall Home Assist believes its replacement boiler package is the best ever to be offered in Scotland, providing a means to have a new boiler installed without having to wait for the Green Deal.


As well as securing up to £900 in government grants and £100 refund on property assessments, Firstcall will be installing Worcester boilers with 10-year warranties and the option to fund any additional costs with interest-free finance.


The Green Deal launched on 28 January with the aim of helping millions of homes and businesses to improve their energy efficiency – through various instalments such as insulation and boilers – at no upfront costs. But the scheme is not yet fully operational in Scotland, meaning that assessments cannot be carried out at properties.


John Dickson, national sales director of Firstcall Home Assist and one of the few Green Deal-approved assessors/installers in central Scotland, said: “There will be many property owners across Scotland who are keen to use the Green Deal to finance much-needed energy efficiency improvements, but they have been thwarted because the scheme is not yet available in Scotland.


“This deal means that homeowners and landlords can take advantage of all the benefits that the Green Deal will provide, without having to wait any longer. They can save energy, save money – and there are no upfront costs.


“While the government has made it attractive to fit a new boiler by offering generous cashback allowances, we are helping to make the cost even more manageable by offering 0% interest-free finance. Through the Firstcall Home Assist package, it means property owners could have a new boiler for as little as £17/month.


“We have also looked to make the deal even more appealing by ensuring we fit the best boilers on the market which come with a peace-of-mind 10-year warranty and should help deliver increased savings on energy costs.


“We think this is the best new boiler deal ever to be offered in Scotland. But this is a limited offer so people will need to move quickly before it ends.”


Under the scheme, a £500 Green Homes Cashback is now available towards energy efficiency measures that are recommended in either a Green Deal assessment or Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), which can be added to the previous £400 boiler scrappage allowance.


In addition to the £500 Green Homes Cashback, owners will also be entitled to claim up to £100 towards the cost of an EPC or Green Deal assessment being completed before and/or after installation. Only one voucher can be applied for per property.


The Firstcall Home Assist boiler replacement package and its products and services can be found on the website www.firstcallhomeassist.co.uk or by calling 0844 241 2984.