Councils launch FREE central heating scheme

PR Date: Friday, 10 January 2020 - 3:15pm

North Hertfordshire District Council (NHDC), working with Hertsmere and East Herts Councils, have secured funding to help people living in the three areas to transform their home heating facilities and reduce their energy bills.

Homeowners and private renting tenants that don’t have radiators in their home and rely on inefficient room heaters or fires could get an A-rated gas-powered central heating system installed at no cost.

To qualify for the funding, each resident must either be in receipt of certain state benefits (e.g. pension guarantee credit, income support, tax credits, etc.) or have a low household income (typically below £20,000 after rent or mortgage costs have been paid).

Householders who are vulnerable to the effects of living in a cold home could also receive support.

The councils were among a number of successful local authorities to secure funding through the Warm Homes Fund – an innovative funding stream established by National Grid to help make households in Great Britain warmer, healthier and cheaper to heat.

The councils worked with energy experts, YES Energy Solutions to secure over £230,000 of Warm Homes Funding.

NHDC is also providing match funding to support installations in the area, whilst additional funding is being channelled in through the Government’s Energy Company Obligation programme.

There are also separate grants available to help connect homes to the mains gas network where required.

The project aims to install 100 first time gas central heating systems in homes across North Hertfordshire, East Hertfordshire and Hertsmere, helping eligible householders switch to a more cost effective fuel and efficient home heating system.

Councillor Gary Grindal, NHDC’s Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health said: "NHDC is committed to improving the quality of life for all its residents and I am delighted that this scheme will offer some of our most vulnerable residents the opportunity to install, what for many, will be their first central heating system, keeping them warm in their homes, helping to improve their living standards and health."

Jeremy Nesbitt, Managing Director of Affordable Warmth Solutions who administer the fund on behalf of National Grid said: "We are excited about this investment from National Grid and are delighted to fund the scheme to address fuel poverty.

"Solving the issues associated with Fuel Poverty continues to challenge many of our stakeholders and the feedback we’ve already received provides evidence of how the Warm Homes Fund will make a positive difference to thousands of homes throughout Great Britain."

YES Energy Solutions is managing the scheme on behalf of the councils and will be coordinating the installations through their network of accredited installers.

Householders interested in the opportunity are encouraged to contact YES Energy Solutions on 01422 880 100 to see if they are eligible for support.