Central heating scheme aims to reduce fuel bills
CHARITY Energy Projects Plus and AgilityEco, are working with Halton Borough Council to offer fully funded central heating to residents who don’t currently have gas central heating.
Connected For Warmth is a new service designed to help eligible private and private rented sector households make big savings on their fuel bills.
The scheme will provide a free first-time gas connection and energy-efficient heating system to eligible fuel poor homes.
Connected for
Warmth will be delivered across the entire Cadent gas distribution network.
It is funded by the Warm Homes Fund, a £150 million national fund provided by National Grid and administered by Affordable Warmth Solutions.
Cadent is also contributing towards the cost of the heating systems.
The scheme will be administered in Merseyside by Energy Projects Plus.
To be eligible, residents need to be in receipt of qualifying benefits, or qualify under criteria relating to household income and fuel bills or health.
Applicants will be asked to complete a quick survey to determine their eligibility for the scheme.
If successful they will receive a free gas connection, and new gas central heating system utilising the latest energy efficient boilers.
While homeowners and tenants will pay nothing toward the scheme, private landlords will need to make a small contribution to have a system installed, should their property be eligible.
Cllr Marie Wright, Halton Borough Council’s portfolio holder for health and wellbeing, said: “Connected For Warmth is a much needed route out of fuel poverty for residents without gas central heating who struggle to heat their home.
“Every winter, cold homes harm health.
“This new scheme is a valuable tool in our efforts to achieve our vision that everyone in Halton can afford to heat their home to a level that maintains comfort and good health.”
Eligible applicants will be offered a free LEAP home energy visit from Energy Projects Plus.
LEAP is available to those in fuel poverty, low income, or vulnerable to living in a cold home. During the visit, a qualified advisor provides advice on reducing energy bills including tariff switch, referral for benefits and fuel debt advice, plus installation of energy saving measures such as LED bulbs.
In addition, fully funded boiler replacements are available to home owners with a broken gas boiler.
To find out more visit www.epplus.org.uk or call 0800 043 0151 to speak with an advisor and arrange your LEAP home energy visit.