VAT free boiler replacement campaign

Did you know that energy saving equipment like controls, insulation, combined heat pumps and even solar panels attract a 5% rate of VAT on any properties used by charities? New properties attract a zero VAT rate.

However, new high efficiency boilers are still subject to the full 20% VAT rate.

Heating and Ventilation News reckons there's now a growing movement amongst the industry seeking to persuade the Government to reduce VAT on new boilers - at least until the Green Deal scheme starts in 2012.

2010 - during which the boiler scrappage scheme ran, saw sales of domestic (home) boilers rise by 5.3%, however the Heating and Hotwater Council reports that sales figures have fallen back since the start of 2011.

And don't forget that the warmer summer months are the perfect time to get your heating system serviced. Many breakdown policies include a free annual check but it's usually up to you to claim it and organise a service time.

Don't leave it until the Autumn arrives and you find out - all too late - that your heating system's broken down. By then, it could take weeks to get an engineer round.

photo credit: motomo

Energy saving - Green lessons for all...

Spotted in an American online community news service website - a presentation to homeowners put across the message - Turn it off, turn it down, tune it up and buy smart.

The presenter went on to explain to residents how just switching off all those appliances and electronics that normally get left on standby could save you 8% of your annual energy bills - the so called 'Phantom Load'. Unplugging computers and home entertainment systems etc or investing in power strips where by you can turn off a group of appliances with one switch makes an instant difference.

Turning down room and hot water tank thermometers by a couple of degrees is another way to save, whilst buying wisely when choosing new appliances or perhaps replacing old boilers or heating tanks with new efficient ones will save more money in the long run - especially when there are various grants to be had like the recent Boiler Scrappage Scheme in England or the Warm Front Scheme currently running.

Whilst installing solar panels etc may be a greater financial undertaking, with feed-in tariffs about to be introduced later this year in the UK, it's something that homeowners shouldn't rule out altogether.

You can read more of the report as it appeared on Foster's Daily Herald by clicking here.

If you'd like to find out how much a solar panel installation might cost you, then visit Solar Panel Quoter by clicking here.

photo credit: wwarby

Central Heating Boiler Scrappage Scheme in England announced

Today, the Government has launched a new £400 grant for those replacing old and inefficient boilers with modern or carbon efficient models.

Under the Boiler Scrappage Scheme, if you are a homeowner or private tenant replacing a G-Rated or equivalent boiler you could be eligible for a grant of up to £400 to aid with the cost of having it replaced. The Government believe around 125,000 households will initially stand to benefit from the new scheme.

This £400 saving is in addition to efficiency savings which can reduce your heating costs and fuel bill by an average of around £235 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

You can get a quote for a replacement boiler at our brand new Quoter site, HeatingQuoter.co.uk.

Announcing the scheme earlier today, Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband said “The boiler scrappage scheme will save around £200 off heating bills per year for families that are replacing their old boilers, and in total will save the same amount of carbon equivalent to taking around 45,000 cars off the road.”

You can find out more information on the scheme, and of course get quotes for a replacement boiler, at HeatingQuoter.co.uk. Even if your boiler isn’t eligible for the scrappage scheme we can help you with a rough guide price, and help you find local registered boiler suppliers and installers to carry out the work for you.

So head over to HeatingQuoter.co.uk today and check out the latest addition to the Home Improvement Quotes family.

Chancellor's green measures announced in pre-budget report

A £400 scrappage scheme on old boilers and an average £900 a year to homeowners with solar panel and wind generation systems that plug their excess power back into the National Grid were just two 'green' acknowledgements in the Chancellors pre-budget speech earlier this week.

The boiler scrappage scheme will help some 125,000 homes replace inefficient boilers with new models. Boilers account for over 60% of all home heating emissions in the UK.

As we've already mentioned, Feed-in Tariffs seemed to get a mention with the Chancellor rewarding early adopters of green power with an average £900 a year for pumping their solar or wind generated electricity into the National Grid.

Electric cars also benefit with a 5 year exemption from company car taxes as well as a 100% first year capital allowance for electric vans, paving the way for a boost in the numbers of electric vehicles on our streets. Employees could save several thousand pounds a year in company car tax. Although some critics have pointed out that there is still a long way to go in making electric powered cars available and building the infrastructure to power them.

The Warm Front scheme will also be extended - it's already helped over 230,000 people insulate their homes as well as heat them more efficiently. Mr Darling is also counting on energy efficiency being added by the introduction of smart meters in every home (which will be completed by 2020).

There were other monies promised to investment in low carbon projects as well as £90m in the European Investment Bank's new 2020 fund. He also promised more action to reduce the impact of coal power plants and other major CO2 emitters.