Britons who wish to upgrade to a more efficient
fridge, washing machine or boiler but feel they are held back by the cost and inconvenience of getting rid of their old appliance may find that help is soon at hand.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) is urging the government to introduce a new scrappage scheme for such appliances, while also removing any VAT charges attached to new
energy efficient household white goods.
There are 15 million fridges, freezers and washing machines that are over ten years old in the UK and the BRC wants the government, in partnership with the electronics industry, to offer a scrappage scheme for them.
Should the proposals go ahead, the group claims that by 2020 the schemes could save 1.3 million tons of C02 per year.
Furthermore, the plans may also see innovation within the energy efficiency industry boosted, according to Krishan Rama, press officer at the consortium.
"To get the A rating, manufacturers will further develop their technology, and they'll try and compete for that energy-saving recommended performance, to take advantage of the zero-VAT," he said.
