Energy giants accused of cashing in on boiler scrappage scheme

22/02/2010

Energy giants have been accused of ripping off business gas customers taking advantage of the government's boiler scrappage scheme by quoting over-the-top rates for new boilers.

Speaking to the Times, Peter Thom, of the heating engineer Green Heat, said some suppliers were top-loading the price of installing a new boiler and then offering an £800 discount in an attempt to cash in on the scrappage scheme.

He said one customer he knew of had been quoted £5,012 for a boiler replacement by a well-known energy supplier, which reduced to £4,212 with the government's £800 discount.

"Our quotation for exactly the same work and identical boiler was £2,894," he said.

A spokesperson for British Gas said the company had been working with manufacturers to ensure customers got a good deal, adding that the cost of a boiler varied depending on the customer's home and lifestyle.

Charlie Mullins of Pimlico Plumbers also recently told the Guardian that the boiler scrappage scheme could prove "financial madness" if it involved ripping out an inefficient but functioning boiler.

Make It Cheaper is the UK's leading business price comparison and switching service. Find out how you could get impartial, comprehensive and free information about overheads such as business electricity.

Posted by Dan Morris