Biasi UK has launched an online e-petition campaign to lobby the coalition Government to scrap VAT on all renewable products and high efficiency boilers.
Targeting those in the heating industry as well as professionals across all business sectors, the 'Scrap the VAT' campaign has evolved from the company's belief that one of the main barriers to the selection and installation of renewables and high efficiency boilers is down to the cost. By scrapping the VAT, these products will become more affordable and their use will become more widespread. In turn, this will result in reduced energy consumption and emissions as well as saving money on fuel bills for cash-strapped homeowners.

Biasi md Gren Ward said: 'It is well known in the heating industry that boiler replacement is, for most people, a distress purchase and is not normally driven by a straightforward desire to upgrade and improve their heating provision.

'If the Government is truly serious about encouraging uptake on these products to achieve our emissions targets and helping people to heat their homes in the most efficient and cost effective way possible, the best method of achieving this is to instantly remove the VAT on renewables and high efficiency boilers. The success of last year's boiler scrappage scheme demonstrated how such initiatives can make a big difference to people's thinking and purchase decision making.

'In addition, this would also have the knock-on effect of boosting the heating industry at a time when many of the public sector cuts are having such an impact on the trade.

'As well as installers and heating engineers, contractors, specifiers, merchants and the general public, we'd also encourage all our heating manufacturer colleagues and equipment suppliers to get involved in the Scrap the VAT campaign by signing up and spreading the word to encourage others to register their support.'

According to the Energy Saving Trust, boilers account for around 60 per cent of carbon dioxide emissions from an average home heated by gas. It says that, by replacing an old G-rated with a new high efficiency boiler and using the latest heating controls, it is possible to reduce emissions and save the householder as much as £225 per year. In addition, use of a solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by as much as £85 in a year; and solar PV can generate around 40 per cent of a household's annual electricity needs.

For more information on the scrap the VAT campaign and to sign the e-petition, go to www.scrapthevat.co.uk