An energy-saving scheme aimed at ridding homes of power-hungry old heating equipment has been used by almost 55,000 householders.

The government's boiler scrappage scheme, which it launched in January 2010 with the help of the Energy Saving Trust (EST), is intended to help up to 125,000 homes in England to replace their old and inefficient appliances.

By trading in the old model for a new boiler, consumers can reduce the carbon emissions of their property, slash their fuel bills and also help to sustain work for the heating industry.

There are still around 70,000 vouchers left to be claimed, although they may not be around for long as the EST revealed it is currently receiving an average of 5,000 calls every day regarding the scheme.

Energy and climate change secretary Ed Miliband said: "The government scheme has truly kick-started a national programme of boiler replacement."

According to the EST, swapping an old, G-rated boiler for a new A-rated appliance will save households an average of around £235 per year.