I Don't Believe That They Can Ignore It!

The Reheat Britain Campaign, which calls for the government to work with manufacturers of central heating boilers to create a Boiler Scrappage scheme, started with a humble petition on the number10.gov.uk website.

Today it is so much more than that. You only have to check out Reheat Britain, the campaign website, to appreciate the massive support it has received from industry, environmentalists and, well, almost anyone else who hears about it.

In the last week or so, the subjects of Climate Change and Energy have been hogging the headlines notably the Ofgem warning of massive rises in energy prices and the need to spend up to £200Bn on infrastructure, the conclusion of the Committee for Climate Change (CCC) that the uk needs a "step change" in policies if it is to meet it's own climate targets and the publication of the Mayor of London's draft Air Quality Strategy.

So what has all this got to do with Reheat Britain, you may ask - well, I'll tell you...

The Energy Saving Trust (EST) estimate that replacing an old Band G boiler (approx 65% efficient) with a new Band A condensing boiler (over 90% efficient) and controls in just one 3 bed semi could stop 1,300kg of carbon dioxide spewing into the atmosphere. Yes, that is 1.3 tonnes of CO2 saved every year from just one house. That is why the CCC are calling for 12 million old boilers to be replaced by 2022.
Step up to the plate, The Boiler Scrappage scheme!

If the quality of air is not improved rapidly, the UK is in danger of being fined £300m by the EU. New boilers are more efficient, but they are also low NOx compared to old boilers. That is why Policy 9 of the Mayor of London's draft Air Quality Strategy includes "working with central government to develop a scrappage scheme for older, inefficient boilers"
Step up to the plate, The Boiler Scrappage scheme!

Ofgem suggests that household energy bills will increase by between 14% and 23% by 2020, but warn that they could increase by up to 60% in 2016, before falling back. The EST estimate that, with gas currently priced at 3.80p/Kwh, the householder in our 3 bed semi could save £235 a year when his old boiler is replaced. Energy price rises would make that saving even more.
Step up to the plate, The Boiler Scrappage scheme!

The construction industry generally and the heating industry in particular have been hit very badly in this recession with another 61,000 jobs lost in the three months to July this year. Any scheme that can also stimulate demand is welcomed by industry and is supported by the Federation of Small Businesses.
Step up to the plate, The Boiler Scrappage scheme!

The Reheat Britain campaign is gaining support all the time and so it should. It ticks so many boxes that I just don't believe that they can ignore it!

Take a look for yourself http://reheatbritain.org.uk and don't forget to sign the petition while you're there!

(Posted in support of Blog Action Day)