Green heaters cost less

TRADING up to a new gas or oil-fired boiler has been made more attractive by the government which has doubled the bonus for buying eco-friendly equipment.

Called the prime à la casse chaudières, the bonus is for replacing a boiler at least 15 years old with a new condensing or low-temperature one.

The aim is to limit the effect of increases in energy bills on people’s purchasing power.

Energy minister Eric Besson said the plan would give “at least” €200 off a low-temperature boiler or €500 off condensing boilers. It has been extended after a deal with boiler manufacturers to contribute (gas and oil distributors already take part).

Taking its name from the car scrappage scheme that ran until early this year, the prime à la casse chaudières will be paid if the new system is supplied by an accredited firm. www.tinyurl.com/boilerbonus