How Do The Government-backed Free Boiler Grants Help to Reduce Carbon Emissions?
You have likely heard terms like ‘climate change or ‘global warming. It refers to the fact that our planet’s atmosphere is getting warmer due to our modern lifestyles. One of the contributors to global warming is our use of burning fossil fuels for energy, including for heating in the home.
In order to reduce carbon emissions in UK households, the government boiler scheme was launched to give eligible homes the opportunity to replace their inefficient boilers with much more energy efficient boilers.
The Climate Change Act
Various countries in the world are stepping and taking responsibility for the greenhouse gas emissions, and the United Kingdom is no exception. The Climate Change Act act of 2008, outlined the government’s plan to reduce carbon emission and do our bit to save the planet.
The primary goal of the Climate Change Act is to decrease greenhouse emissions and with a target. The government plans to emit 80% fewer emissions than we produce by 2050. It is an ambitious target, so they have outlined a plan up until 2032 so far, divided into five periods, each with its target.
What is the role of the free boiler scheme in all this?
When we heat our households with gas, electric boilers, or oil, we contribute more carbon dioxide to the problem. If we use old, inefficient boilers that burn more fuel, this contribution is even more significant.
The aim is to replace old boilers of at least 7 years old with much more efficient models that will lead not only to energy bill savings for households but also carbon footprint reductions. The ECO scheme legally obliges the biggest energy suppliers in the United Kingdom to contribute towards funding that help eligible low income households improve their energy efficiency and reduce their heating costs.
What does this mean to you?
To be eligible for the free boiler scheme, you must meet the qualifying criteria and are on various benefits you can apply for a government boiler scheme.
The criteria for acceptance of free boiler grants are:
- Your Boiler must be at least 7 years old
- You must own your home
- You must claim at least one of the eligible benefits
If you are successful in a free boiler application, then you will in most cases receive a new A-rated boiler with an energy efficiency usually in excess of 90%. This compares favourably to an old boiler which in some cases may have an energy efficiency as low as 65%, meaning that for every £1 you spend on heating, around 35p is wasted. A new boiler will mean much less, usually less than 10p per pound, will be lost when heating the home.