3 October 2007
Households can now ask for a free energy rating for their boiler when they call out an engineer to fix their heating.
The government is offering a free A to G rating for their boiler to help them cut heating and hot water bills, as well as reduce their homes' carbon emissions.
The initiative comes as latest figures from the Heating and Hot Water Industry Council estimate that four million old, very inefficient boilers are still being used in homes nationwide. Replacing these would save two and half a million tonnes of C02 each year by 2010.
Communities Minister, Iain Wright said: "With winter heating bills just around the corner now is the perfect time to get a maintenance check on your boiler. Today the government has introduced an 'eco' friendly winter warmer for consumers - this new energy assessment for boilers will help households cut their fuel bills and carbon footprint too.
"So this autumn when the engineer visits ask him to check your boiler so you can see how efficient it is and what improvements and savings you could make."
Roger Webb, Director, Heating and Hot Water Industry Council (HHIC) added: "This new scheme will be a useful tool in highlighting to householders the importance of replacing their boiler with the most efficient models.
"Consumer safety would also be improved if householders were encouraged to replace their boiler as most incidents of CO poisoning are caused by old, poorly maintained appliances."
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