Since its inception on June 2000 the Warm Front Scheme has assisted over 1.7 million households, providing grants for replacement boilers, loft insulation and other important heating measures.
In light of the sharp increases in energy prices, many thousands of households would have been prevented from falling into fuel povery following Warm Front's intervention, including many here in South Thanet. Between December 07 and March 08, over £130,000 worth of work was carried out, assisting over 100 housholds. This took the total number of homes in South Thanet to have benefitted from the scheme up to over 3000, and the total value of work carried out to nearly £2.5 million.
Steve recently visited Mr and Mrs Tidey, whose Ramsgate home has benefited from cavity wall insulation and a replacement gas boiler - work carried out under the Warm Front Scheme.
So far over 2800 householders in South Thanet have benefited from the scheme, to a value of over £2.2 million pounds. You might be one of an estimated 5000 pensioners in South Thanet entitled to help. The Warm Front Scheme offers a grant of up to £2700 for a package of insulation and heating improvements, ensuring that South Thanet’s most vulnerable live in adequately and affordable heated homes, free from the health risks posed by cold and damp.
Mrs Tidey said
'When we first heard about warm front we thought it too good to be true. But when the boiler went and we couldn't afford to replace it we got in touch. Not only did they replace the boiler but they fitted cavity wall insulation'.
Mr Tidey applied as a person over 60 in receipt of State pension credits, and Steve hopes that his case will help raise awareness of fuel poverty and the assistance available to combat it.
Steve and Mr Tidey inspecting his new warm front boiler -
During the winter of 2005-6 there were more than 24,000 excess winter deaths in England. More than 90% of winter deaths occur in the pensioner population. It is estimated that over 50 elderly residents in South Thanet die each year as a result of fuel poverty. This is why the scheme is open to any householders over 60 claiming pension credit. In South Thant this equate to over 5000 pensioners.
Mr Tidey said;
'the new efficient boiler will help us keep our heating bills down. I've just completed a course of chemo-therapy and will be at home most of the time now and need the heat on all day'.
However, you don't just have to be over 60 to claim - the scheme is open to householders with children under 16 as well as those who are disabled.
Visit the link below to find out more information and also, if you think you might be eligible, to apply for a warm front grant - worth up to £2700.
http://www.warmfront.co.uk/
Warm Front is a government funded initiative and is managed by EAGA, the UK's leading provider of energy efficiency solutions.
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