Free Central Heating Scheme Plugged In
21st October 2008
You may be used to popping into your local Gordons Chemist to pick up a prescription, get advice or a cure for an ailment but now, thanks to a scheme from NIE Energy, you can also find out about free gas central heating systems on offer.
Funded by the NIE Energy Efficiency Programme, the 'Healthy Homes' scheme aims to replace a number of Economy 7, solid fuel or no heating homes with a highly efficient gas central heating system, free of charge, to householders in the Phoenix Natural Gas network areas.
Diane Wilson from NIE Energy recently visited Gordons Chemist to officially 'plug in' the scheme. She said:
"If you have an illness which is made worse by the cold, such as a respiratory illness and are on a lower income, then please apply to this scheme.
"A cold home, or one that is costing more than it should to heat, isn't good for the well being of those living in it who have poor health. Through this scheme, which installs a new heating system and an insulation upgrade at no cost to the householder, NIE Energy hopes to help householders with ill health to at least feel more comfortable in a well heated and insulated home."
To qualify for the scheme the household must satisfy the following criteria:
- Own your home or live in private rented accommodation
- Economy 7 or solid fuel or no heating system
- Live within the Phoenix Natural Gas network area
- Single with an income less than £12,000 gross per annum or couple/single parent family with income less than £18,000 gross per annum
- Long term health problems (e.g. respiratory related illnesses, disability)
- Not eligible under current heating replacement schemes, e.g. Warm Homes Plus
Gordons Chemists are renowned across Northern Ireland for their proactive community based health campaigns, which are aimed at raising awareness and promoting healthier lifestyles.
Eligible households will get a free heating conversion to Phoenix Natural Gas, cavity wall and loft insulation where required and four low energy light bulbs.
The scheme is also supported by the Department for Social Development and Phoenix Natural Gas. Simon Little from Phoenix Natural Gas said:
"Natural gas produces virtually no sulphur dioxide and 25% less carbon dioxide than home heating oil. In the last twelve years Phoenix customers across business, public sector and domestic households have actually helped prevent over 1.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere - equal to removing half a million cars from Northern Ireland's roads for a full year."
The Phoenix Natural Gas network covers Carrickfergus, Newtownabbey, Larne, Lisburn, Belfast, Ards, Bangor, Comber and Belfast.
David Lightbody, Pharmacy Manager at Gordons Chemists is pictured (L) plugging in NIE Energy's 'Healthy Homes' free central heating and insulation scheme. Also pictured is Diane Wilson from NIE Energy and Simon Little from Phoenix Natural Gas.