COSYDEVON’S Central Heating Fund is now open for applications — and residents are being encouraged to apply now before the scheme closes.

The fund can help with connecting your home to gas and installing central heating systems in your house.

A retired couple from Devon had their lives transformed through the scheme thanks to a grant from their council for central heating.

Frank and his wife suffer from ill health and lived without proper heating for decades until they were given support through the Central Heating Fund.

Mr and Mrs Burgess are both retired and have lived in their home since 1966 and it was built in 1962. The property has not had gas since the 1980s.

Mr Burgess suffers with a respiratory condition called Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and uses a stair lift and an oxygen tank.

Before central heating, they had numerous electric plug-in heaters, an open fire and at one point used butane cylinders. They were advised by Torbay Hospital that due to the oxygen tank they needed to keep his equipment 10m away from potential fire hazards. This gave Frank very limited space to put his oxygen tank.

The hospital had also advised them to get central heating. The couple were advised about the Central Heating Fund by their local Citizens’ Advice office and encouraged to apply.

The CosyDevon Central Heating Fund is supported by the Devon local authorities, including West Devon Borough Council, and managed by its scheme partners E.ON, AgilityEco, National Energy Action (NEA) and Integrated Energy Services. 

Cllr Jeff Moody, lead member for Customer First, said: ‘We should all be doing everything we can to be more energy efficient; CosyDevon is a successful scheme which supports this endeavour. By offering our residents the opportunity to apply, they are not only being given the chance to save both money and energy, but also to be more comfortable in their own homes. The more people who take part the better.’

The scheme offers eligible residents a new connection to the gas grid, a complete gas central heating system, including a new energy efficient boiler, radiators in every room and room thermostats. If a household meets the eligibility criteria there is no cost to the household.

Mr Burgess added: ‘Our home is now much easier to heat and we are much more comfortable. We would recommend this scheme without a doubt or hesitation.’

If you want to find out more about the Central Heating Fund, and if you are eligible, call 0800 612 9301 or apply online at http://www.cosydevon.com/cosy-products/central-heating-fund/