CosyDevon Central Heating Fund transforms life for elderly couple

The CosyDevon Central Heating Fund is supported by Devon Local Authorities and managed by their scheme partners E.ON, AgilityEco, National Energy Action (NEA) and Integrated Energy Services.  It 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.

Below is a testimonial from Mr & Mrs Burgess, a retired couple from Devon, who have had their lives transformed thanks to a grant from their District Council for central heating.

Mr & Mrs Burgess suffer from ill health and lived without proper heating for decades until they were given support via the Central Heating Fund. Frank suffers with a respiratory condition called Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and uses a stair lift and an oxygen tank.

To keep warm they had numerous electric plug-in heaters, an open fire and at one point used butane cylinders, but were advised by their local hospital that because the oxygen tank needed to be kept 10 metres away from potential fire hazards they should consider installing central heating.  The couple were told about the Central Heating Fund by their local Citizens Advice office and encouraged to apply.

Mr Burgess commented: 'Our home is now much easier to heat and we are much more comfortable.  We no longer need to worry about the risk of open flames and the oxygen tank.  We would recommend this scheme without a doubt or hesitation.'

If you want to find out more about the Central Heating Fund, call 0800 612 9301 or apply online at tinyurl.com/cosydevon.  People are being encouraged to apply now before the scheme closes.  Don't wait for winter to get your new central heating!

*To be eligible you need to own or privately rent your home, which must be close to the gas network and not have an existing central heating system.  Additionally, people living in the house must also meet one of the two following criteria: (1) be in receipt of particular benefits, or (2) have an income less than £16,010 gross per annum and suffer a long-term health condition that is exacerbated by the cold.