Connected for Warmth provides free first-time gas central heating to eligible residents.

Its aims are to reduce energy bills, increase warmth and comfort, and improve the health of fuel poor and vulnerable residents.

The scheme is free for householders and includes a gas connection, if required, and the installation of a new energy efficient gas central heating system.

Connected for Warmth is run by AgilityEco and administered in Merseyside and Cheshire by Energy Projects Plus.

Who is eligible?

The scheme is open to home owners and those who privately rent.

To be eligible, residents need to be in receipt of qualifying benefits, or qualify under their local authority’s Eco Flex criteria.

They are likely to be eligible if they heat their home using one of the following:

• electric storage heaters

• room heaters

• open fires

How is it funded? 

It is funded by the Warm Homes Fund, a £150 million national fund provided by National Grid and administered by Affordable Warmth Solutions. Cadent are also contributing towards the cost of the heating systems.

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.

How does it work?

The first step towards getting a new central heating system installed is for us to check your eligibility and the suitability of your property for a gas central heating system.

When you apply, you will be offered a free LEAP home energy visit. During the visit, an energy advisor will check your eligibility and help you to complete the required application forms.

The next step is a home survey which will identify any technical challenges that might prevent the installation going ahead.

After this we will arrange for a gas connection and a gas meter (if you don’t already have them) and after that for the installation of the new central heating system. This includes a condensing combi-gas boiler, radiators in all habitable rooms and suitable heating controls.

It can take anywhere between 3-6 months for the installation to take place, depending on a number of factors. Timescales will vary for each property as the location of your property and results of the survey will affect the speed at which we can install your central heating. New gas connections, where needed, will often involve digging up nearby roads – this process can take a little while.

How can I apply? 

To find out if you are likely to be eligible and to book your free home visit contact Energy Projects Plus on 0800 043 0151.