BARNSLEY Council has teamed up with energy provider npower, to help homeowners with long-term illnesses keep their heating working.
The ‘Health Through Warmth’ scheme may be able to offer a contribution towards the cost of heating repairs, boiler replacements and insulation to eligible people on low incomes that are currently struggling to keep warm because they are living with broken or inadequate heating and have health needs.
Coun Roy Miller said: “In many cases, residents battling with a long term illness are less mobile and spend more time in their homes. As a result, there is a greater need to heat their homes for longer periods of time which means that they rely heavily on their heating system. As such, running an efficient, reliable heating system is vital.
“For those on low income, high energy bills due to inefficient heating systems or high costs to repair or upgrade inadequate heating systems can add extra pressures to residents already struggling. There’s the worry that that these residents will put their health at further risk by being unable to afford to heat their home adequately or being unable to afford to have their system repaired.
“It’s really good news that through our work with npower, we’re able to access extra funding to provide our most vulnerable residents with some level of financial support to help reduce the cost of keeping their heating working efficiently.”
Sarah Heaney, npower Health Through Warmth manager, said: “I’m enormously proud of the work that Health Through Warmth does. The scheme plays a vital role providing help to people who might not be able to find it elsewhere. The importance of warmth and comfort should not be underestimated, particularly for people who have long-term illnesses.”
All works will be delivered through the council-endorsed energy efficiency scheme, Better Homes Barnsley, where additional financial support is also available to help significantly reduce the cost to home owners. Residents do not have to be an npower customer to receive help through the scheme.
For more information, eligibility details or to apply, residents can contact the Better Homes team at betterhomesyorkshire.co.uk, or call 0800 597 1500.
