The government has launched a new scheme which could see 125,000 households benefit from reduced energy bills.
Prime minister Gordon Brown and climate change secretary Ed Miliband launched the boiler scrappage scheme earlier today (January 5th).
Under the new programme, households fitted with G-rated boilers will be able to claim a £400 voucher from the Energy Saving Trust which can be redeemed off the price of a more efficient A-rated boiler.
The scheme has seen some fuel suppliers follow suit with deals of their own.
British Gas has matched the government’s £400 offer meaning savings of £800 on a new boiler.
Phil Bentley, managing director at British Gas, said: "We want to help customers take advantage of the new boiler scrappage scheme, so we’re offering to match the government’s £400 allowance, which means customers can cut a total of £800 from the cost of a new boiler from British Gas.
"As the country’s leading installer of energy-efficient boilers, we know that new boilers help lower fuel bills by as much as £235 a year."
Elderly people are particularly affected by high energy bills as they spend a larger proportion of their income on heating.
This has lead many to turn to pension supplement schemes such as equity release which allows homeowners to boost their income with money drawn from the value of their property assets.
