Boiler scrappage ends as owners snap up £400

A BOILER scrappage scheme has closed after thousands of householders snapped up cashback vouchers within 36 hours, it emerged today.

The Scottish Government distributed 400 each to more than 4,600 applicants on a first-come, first-served basis when it launched the scheme on Monday.

The voucher is to be used as part-payment towards the cost of replacing an inefficient boiler with more environmentally friendly models.

A Scottish Government spokesman confirmed all the vouchers had been allocated by Tuesday evening.

The Energy Trust's website, which advertised the scheme, states: "The Energy Saving Scotland Boiler Scrappage Scheme is now closed."

The scheme saw "a huge level of interest and we have now allocated all vouchers", it said.

Energy minister Jim Mather said: "I'm pleased that thousands of people have taken advantage of our 2 million support to replace their inefficient boilers.

"Our boiler scrappage scheme is cutting the cost of fuel bills – by 235 for the average semi-detached house – reducing carbon emissions and helping sustain jobs in the estimated 1,100 companies in the Scottish heating installation industry."

He added that the Energy Efficiency Action Plan for Scotland would be published before the summer recess in July.