Over the last 18 months, Better Homes Yorkshire has successfully installed 180 new central heating systems across the region thanks to the Warm Homes Fund.
Established by the National Grid and managed by Affordable Warmth Solution, the fund aims to help local authorities tackle fuel poverty within their communities by targeting those who are using an insufficient method to heat their home, including solid fuel.
Around 4 million homes in the UK are suffering from fuel poverty where they are unable to heat their home to keep warm and healthy. This, coupled with a low income and an old or inefficient heating system, results in the amount of money being spent on fuel becoming increasingly difficult to afford.
In the past year alone, authorities working alongside Better Homes Yorkshire have received over £1m of funding to help target these issues and, with further funding allocated for another year, more homes across the region are set to benefit.
For each home that has received a new heating system, their fuel bill is expected to be reduced by around £300 a year. Each of the 180 properties completed in the past year has received a new Gas Central Heating System including the supply and installation of new radiators throughout the home. Many of those affected by fuel poverty are elderly and extremely vulnerable so any improvements to their homes can make a dramatic positive change on their wellbeing.
An elderly couple from South Elmsall in Wakefield are a great example of how the fund can be lifechanging. The pair suffer from arthritis and other health conditions and in January 2019, the couple had their heating system replaced after the old solid fuel boiler had a continuous problem of breaking down.
The resident said; “Before the new heating system was installed it was always cold – the old boiler went off regularly and would be off for long periods of time as the engineers could not solve the problem.”
After the new central heating system was installed the resident said he felt fantastic and was feeling happier knowing that the heating was going to work.
For the year to come several local authorities have once again been successful in their bid for the funding to continue the pledge to tackle fuel poverty.