A new boiler replacement grant is helping people in Bicester improve their energy efficiency and keep warm over the winter.
The Boiler Replacement Scheme offers landlords, private tenants and homeowners the opportunity to upgrade their boiler and receive as much as £300 cashback.
Everyone within the Bicester ring road is eligible for the scheme, although they must have a boiler that is at least ten years old or that has an energy rating of D or below. Recipients can replace LPG, oil and gas boilers and trade in their old, inefficient and broken boilers for new energy-efficient models.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, people can save up to £305 every year by upgrading their boiler, with these savings continuing for decades; hence, a replacement boiler can see households reduce their energy bills by several thousand pounds.
Councillor Tony Illot, lead member for Clean and Green at Cherwell District Council, noted that the weather has become a “lot more autumnal” in recent weeks, which is seeing people across the region turn on their central heating and get ready for the winter.
Although most people will enjoy a warm and cosy home as a result, he noted that many other people will discover problems and faults with their central heating system and may face expensive repair costs.
Councillor Illot said some people may be surprised to learn that boilers can represent as much as 60% of a household’s annual energy bills, noting that the scheme will therefore not just help residents to get their home warm, but could also see their energy bills fall significantly.
It will also help the district reduce its carbon footprint, as efficient boilers burn less fuel than older models.
The scheme is delivered by the National Energy Foundation and is funded by the Eco-Bicester Strategic Delivery Board. Interested parties must register their interest in the project and then arrange a no-obligation home survey. A qualified installer will then determine if the resident is eligible for the boiler replacement cashback.
The new boilers will be installed by approved heating engineers – Gas Safe professionals for LPG and gas boilers and OFTEC for oil boilers. It will promote the work of local engineers, and companies within the Bicester Ring Road have been given flyers so they can promote the initiative. Recipients can use their own engineers, provided they are approved by the appropriate body.
Typically, boilers can be replaced within one day. Application forms remain valid for four months from the date of the installation.
However, people who need a repair for their boiler cannot use the cashback to fund this repair – the money is only intended for replacements.
To register interest in the scheme, either call 01908 256929 or register online here.
Want to save money? No problem.
If you’re having trouble with any aspect of your boiler, home appliances or if you’re suffering from a home emergency such as an electrical breakdown, plumbing problem or security issue then be sure to get in touch with us.
You can face a hefty bill if something goes wrong at home so eliminate the possibility and speak to us today.
Call us on 0345 3192 247 and one of our friendly technical team will go through some simple diagnostics to see if your problem can be resolved over the phone. If not, we’ll send an engineer to be with you as soon as possible to ensure you’re back up and running in no time.
