Almost 55,000 vouchers have been snapped up under the Government's Boiler Scrappage scheme leaving around 70,000 vouchers worth a total of £28 million still up for grabs, according to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
The scheme was launched in January to upgrade up to 125,000 household heating systems in England to cut carbon, save money on fuel bills and sustain work for the heating industry.
All the major energy companies which sell and install boilers (British Gas, E.On, npower and Scottish & Southern) have now matched the offer, giving householders potentially £800 off the cost of a new efficient boiler. Some manufacturing companies are also offering deals.
The Boiler Scrappage scheme was launched on 5th January. Up to 125,000 households in England with working "G-rated" boilers can apply through the Energy Saving Trust for a voucher which will entitle them to £400 off the price of a new, modern "A-rated" boiler or a renewable heating system like a biomass boiler or a heat pump.
The Energy Saving Trust (EST), which is running the scheme on behalf of Government, is receiving on average 5,000 enquiries per day to its 14 call centres across England. In the first few days after the launch, EST dealt with 24,000 calls per day - 10 times more than usual.
"We're extremely pleased with the public's response to this scheme,” said Fraser Winterbottom from Energy Saving Trust.
“Since the scrappage offer was launched the phones have been ringing off the hook, and our call centres have been working hard to process the applications - we've had nearly 400,000 calls nationally.
"It's clear that people are very keen to slash their energy bills and do their bit in helping to cut the UK's CO2 emissions, given the right support - we've given out nearly 5,000 vouchers in the capital. There are still thousands more vouchers to be claimed, and with more and more companies complementing the scheme with their own offers, there's no better time to get rid of that old inefficient boiler."
The boiler scrappage scheme has also injected new life into the domestic heating market for both manufacturers and installers, with the high level of inquiries stimulating the industry.
“Normally a boiler purchase is a distress buy, but customers are receiving their voucher and actually scheduling in an installation,” said Roger Webb, Director of the trade association Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC).
“This rise in interest is indicative of how successful the scheme has been with consumers. The general consensus from industry is that there has never been a better time to get a boiler replacement."
To find out more about the Boiler Scrappage Scheme and apply for a voucher, visit:
www.est.org.uk or call: 0800 512 012.
