New Boiler Replacement Scheme to Commence in September 2012

The scheme, which will be administered by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive Grants Offices, is aimed at owner occupiers who may not normally be eligible for assistance from government schemes.

The Scheme will be open to owner occupiers who, together with their partner, have a gross household income of less than £40,000 per year.  Total income will be calculated on the basis of both earned/unearned income and income from benefits received by the owner occupier and his/her partner.

Eligibility Criteria for the new Boiler Replacement Scheme are as follows:

• The existing boiler must be at least 15 years old

• Applicants should be owner occupiers or ‘Have their day in the house’

• The total gross income of the Householder and Partner must be less than £40,000.

The levels of grant available under the scheme are outlined below:

The grant is payable to assist with replacing:

• Oil boilers with a new efficient condensing boiler

• Switching from oil to gas

• Switching to a wood pellet boiler

Since the closure of the Pilot Boiler Replacement Scheme the Housing Executive has received a number of enquiries from people interested in replacing their boiler. The Grants Offices have been keeping a record of the enquirers’ contact details and will be writing to them shortly to explain that a new scheme will be in operation from September. The Housing Executive will contact them again at that time.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

LPG

Liquefied Petroleum Gas is a system of providing gas through either cylinders or tanks as opposed to network gas pipelines such as Phoenix or Firmus

Building Control

Householders will be required to apply for Building Control approval to replace their boiler. The inspection fee of £60 is compulsory and will be at the Householders expense. The fee will not be included in the grant.

Phoenix Gas Boiler Scrappage Scheme

Householders involved in this scheme should contact Phoenix Gas to hear how this scheme may overlap with the new Boiler Replacement Scheme.

The Housing Executive will also be compiling a list of Installers based on their location to help those applicants who have difficulty in finding a suitable installer. This will not be a list of approved installers – it will simply be a list of names of people who want to carry out boiler replacement work. The Housing Executive will not be responsible for the standard of the work that these installers may provide.

THE SCHEME WILL COMMENCE IN SEPTEMBER 2012.

Further information:

Those who think they may be eligible can call now on 0300 200 7874 to find out more and check if they can apply on 0300 200 7874 or http://www.nidirect.gov.uk

ENDS