As part of Boris Johnson’s bid to cut household energy bills and reduce carbon emissions, the Greater London Authority (GLA) has set aside £2.6m to provide 6,500 homes in London with a £400 refund when they install a replacement boiler.

The ‘London Boiler Cashback Scheme’ works on a first come, first served basis, so here’s what you need to know:

Who’s eligible?

To qualify, you need to own your home in London or you need to be a private landlord accredited under the Mayor’s London Rental Standard with a property in the capital.

Your old boiler needs to be either a gas, oil or solid fuel model, the main one used to heat your home and it must be in working order. To qualify, it must also run at 70% or less efficiency. Check this database to see if your boiler qualifies.

What’s the criteria for the new boiler?

The replacement must be an A-rated gas or condensing oil boiler (at least 90% energy efficient or a renewable/low carbon heating technology boiler).

How does the cashback scheme work and how do I apply?

Once you’ve checked you’re eligible, it’s recommended you get three quotes from a Gas Safe, MCS engineer or from a member of a competent persons scheme such as OFTEC or HETAS.

You’ll then need to complete an online application form, listing the make and model of your current boiler and the details of your preferred installer.

If your application’s successful, you’ll receive an email and a cashback voucher. The voucher is valid for 12 weeks from the date of issue, so you must install the boiler within this time.

You’ll then need to claim your £400 cashback by sending in the original voucher with both your and your installer’s signature and with an invoice marked ‘paid’ within ten working days after the voucher expiry date.

The payment will then be processed via BACS within 21 working days of receipt.

How much could I save on my energy bills?

Heating homes accounts for more than half of what the average household spends on energy bills every year. The GLA claims Londoners will be able to save around £340 on annual bills by replacing their boiler.

The Mayor of London said: “This scorching scheme will help 6,500 London homes become more energy efficient and cut annual bills. As well as saving hard earned cash, upgrading an old boiler gives the environment a huge boost by lowering carbon emissions and making our air sweeter. I encourage everyone harbouring ancient boiler artefacts to sign up to my Boiler Cashback Scheme now and benefit from a brand new cost effective heating system.”

See the full T&Cs here.