Minister announces boiler replacement scheme

A new £12 million scheme to help homeowners to replace their old boilers has been unveiled by Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland.

The scheme comes in response to a government ruling in which many oil-fired boilers would become obsolete. It is aimed at improving fuel efficiency and reducing fuel poverty.

The scheme offers owners up to £1000 grant money, depending on income, to replace boilers which are not up to standard any more. Anyone earning less than £40,000 a year is eligible to have their boiler replaced with a newer, more efficient model if it is at least 15 years old.

Minister McCausland was pleased to announce the scheme, saying: “This scheme that I am launching can make a real difference financially to 16,000 home owners throughout Northern Ireland. By replacing an old non-condensing boiler with a new condensing boiler, householders in an average three bedroom semi-detached house can save in excess of £2,700 over 10 years. This figure increases the older the boiler being replaced.”

The ruling on boiler efficiency is aimed at tackling fuel efficiency across the United Kingdom. Fuel efficiency in Northern Ireland is particularly low compared to the rest of the U.K. Minister McCausland said that the scheme had already helped to increase efficiency in the last year. He said that, “During last year’s pilot scheme almost 1,700 boilers were replaced in homes throughout Northern Ireland with some delivering a 30% increase in fuel efficiency.”

In the long run increasing efficiency helps to cut fuel poverty, which is defined as a household spending more than 10% of their income on fuel. Minister McCausland said: “This money saved will make a real difference to the most vulnerable in our community.”

“Northern Ireland suffers from the highest level of fuel poverty in the United Kingdom with households here spending significantly more of their disposable income on energy costs. This scheme further underlines my Department’s commitment to supporting people in reducing their energy costs and maximising the energy efficiency of their homes.”

Homeowners can have new boilers installed quickly. The Minister commented: “I would encourage homeowners who think that they meet the criteria to register now. They can also begin to make enquiries about the type of new boiler they would like to have installed and book ahead with a local installer, so that they can get the work done as quickly as possible.”

Those who think they may be eligible can call now on 0300 200 7874 or register by email at [email protected]. Additional information is available at http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/boiler-replacement-allowance.htm.