Sunday 17 January 2010

Toyota Introduces "Swappage"

As the UK scrappage scheme draws to a close, Toyota has come up with a scheme of its own, which it is calling "swappage". Under swappage, any car registered between 1 March 2000 and 28 February 2003 can be traded in (by someone who has owned it for at least 12 months) for a new Yaris, Auris or Avensis, as long as it is still registered with the DVLA, is insured and has a current MOT certificate.
Customers taking advantage of swappage get £2000 off the list price of a Yaris or Auris, £2500 off an Avensis T2 and £2750 off an Avensis TR or T4. And, unlike scrappage, the swappage scheme does not necessarily mean that the traded-in vehicle will be carted off to the slaughterhouse for recycling unless it really needs to be, so you can take a classic to your local Toyota dealer with a clear conscience.
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Saturday 16 January 2010

'Save money' when buying new boiler

Many homeowners may be welcoming the announcement by the government of its new boiler scrappage scheme which sees properties with a G-rated boiler powering their central heating systems eligible for £400 towards the cost of an upgrade.

However, even people who do not qualify for the scheme can save money when they choose a new boiler, the Daily Mail has claimed.

It cites the Energy Saving Trust, which notes Britons could see their new boiler pay for itself as a condensing boiler and heating controls can reduce annual energy bills by over £200.

"Get at least three quotes and buy the boiler direct when you can, which can save thousands of pounds in some cases," the news source advises.

It adds a combi condensing boiler may be a good option for smaller properties as it provides instant hot water and can be a space-saver, while heating controls installed on the boiler and radiators can see people saving even more money.

Furthermore, such thermostatic controls can reduce heating bills by some 17 per cent.

When having a new boiler fitted, Britons should ensure the boiler engineer they contact is a member of the Gas Safe Register.

Written by Jasper Cullen

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Sunday 10 January 2010

What is a high efficiency condensing boiler?

A condensing boiler captures much more usable heat from its fuel than a non-condensing boiler. Its high operating efficiency is made possible by the design of the condensing boiler's larger - or sometimes dual - heat exchanger.

The heat exchanger makes sure that as much heat as possible is transferred from the boiler's burner - and as little as possible lost in gases through the flue.

There are two types of condensing boiler: regular and combination. Regular condensing boilers heat your hot water through a hot water cylinder. Combination condensing boilers give you instant hot water without the need for a cylinder.

Please bear in mind that not all home heating systems will be compatible with a combination boiler. A qualified installer will tell you which type of condensing boiler, regular or combination, is most suitable for your home.

If your boiler is 15 years old or more then it could be a G rated boiler. You can find out if your boiler is G rated by checking the list here. Replacing an old G rated boiler with a new A rated condensing boiler and a full set of heating controls can save up to a quarter on your heating bills straight away and up to 1,300kg of CO2 year. If your boiler is younger than 15 years then it is likely to be more efficient so will save you less if you replace it.

If your boiler is newer then it may well be in a higher energy efficiency band. Below are typical savings which can be achieved by replacing boilers with new A-rated condensing models and installing a full set of heating controls:

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What kind of boilers does the scrappage scheme cover?

Before applying for the scrappage scheme it is important to find the best deal on a new boiler, including installation costs.

Some energy companies, such as British Gas and npower, are offering similar cash incentives that match the Government's £400, to give a total £800.

British Gas also offers some equally generous discounts under its own unsubsidised schemes, but consumers who apply for boiler scrappage would not be eligible.

People aged over 60 may get bigger discounts through Warm Front, another Governmentfunded scheme to improve energy efficiency (warmfront.co.uk).

Gareth Kloet, energy expert at comparison website confused. com, says: 'Many suppliers will follow-British Gas and npower in offering cashbacks and they may also offer discounts for households in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. But customers must be aware these may not be the best option.
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A cheaper route may to buy a new boiler independently and get a local plumber to install it.'
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FOR more information on the scheme and to register, go to the EST website at est.org.uk or call the advice line on 0800 512012.

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