A boiler cashback scheme for the capital was announced this morning by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, to encourage Londoners to replace their old, inefficient boilers with modern, energy-efficient models.

The London Boiler Cashback Scheme will provide 6,500 eligible homes with a £400 voucher to replace a working boiler that is 70% or less efficient with a new 90% efficient or higher-rated boiler or low carbon heating system.

The scheme will be administered by the Energy Saving Trust across the 33 London boroughs and the Corporation of London. Applicants must be homeowners or private residential landlords. Landlords must be accredited with the Mayor’s London Rental Standard.

Mr Johnson said: “This scorching scheme will help 6,500 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.”

It is hoped is that in addition to the Mayor’s offer, energy suppliers will match it by offering their own £400 discount. If so, applicants could obtain £800 towards replacing their boiler, which typically costs around £2,300 to complete.

According to Energy Saving Trust research, homeowners upgrading can then expect to save in the region of £340 per year and 1,500kg of carbon.

The Builders Merchants’ Federation (BMF), which was involved in formulating the scheme, hopes the scheme will encourage people to install advanced heating controls, thermostatic radiator valves and magnetic filters at the same time, resulting in further savings.

Brett Amphlett, BMF policy & public affairs’ manager, said: “We welcome and support this initiative by Boris Johnson that will doubtless be forever known as Boris Boilers. Londoners can make significant savings to heating costs by upgrading their home with a modern condensing boiler. Although his offer is confined to the capital, the Mayor has acted to help Londoners to cut bills, reduce emissions and boost our trade.”

Main Scheme Details

People can apply online for a £400 voucher - preferably having obtained three quotes from accredited installers. If successful, a voucher will be e-mailed within 10 days. It is valid for 12 weeks from date of issue, after which, those not redeemed will expire. The £400 will return to the fund until fully spent.

Boilers being replaced must be 70% or less efficient and be gas, LPG, oil or solid fuel. It must be the main boiler used to heat the home and be in working order.

Eligible replacements must be at least 90% efficient and can be gas; condensing oil boiler; air source or ground source heat pump; solar thermal system combined with an eligible boiler replacement; or boiler with a passive flue heat recovery device (internally or externally fitted).

Installers must be registered with either Gas Safe Register or Micro-Generation Certification Scheme (or equivalent) or be in a competent persons’ scheme such as OFTEC or HETAS.

The EST has scope to offer telephone and postal support for applicants without an internet connection or who have accessibility issues but most enquiries and applications will be taken online.

Robust mechanisms will be followed to minimise fraud and assure quality. For example: (a) routine checks against accrediting bodies when vouchers are redeemed; (b) random sampling of applicants or homes to check scheme requirements are met; and (c) checks to make sure only one voucher per property is issued.

To learn more about London Boiler Cashback, go to: www.london.gov.uk/boilers.