firmus energy launched a 'comforting' new initiative today, offering £1.25 million worth of 'home comfort' grants to qualifying households across Northern Ireland when they install a natural gas heating system.
In association with the Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP), this scheme gives homes in (area) the opportunity to secure a cash-back grant of up to £1800 towards conversion costs, along with a package of up to £800 for home insulation, which includes free energy saving light bulbs and a free energy monitor.
Damian Dineen, of firmus energy, comments: "With the financial pressures that families and individuals across Northern Ireland are facing, we are delighted to be able to offer a range of different grants and cashback schemes that can make converting to a more economic, practical and environmentally-friendly heating system more affordable.
There will be financial help available for you to convert
"This new ‘Home Comfort’ grant, along with other schemes that we have available such as the ‘Gas Conversion’ grant, means that no matter what your situation is, there will be financial help available for you to convert to a new natural gas system. Everyone will receive at least £300 and up to a total of £1800 cashback, depending on their circumstances. Converting to natural gas, which remains the lowest-cost fossil fuel, will significantly reduce household bills, and the availability of these cashback schemes will mean even more people across Northern Ireland will be able to take advantage of connecting to natural gas. We would particularly welcome applications from those that are currently on Economy 7, solid fuel and those with no heating system at all."
Residents in Banbridge are able to benefit from this grant
Olive Mercer, Mayor of Banbridge, Olive commented on the scheme: "We are very pleased to support firmus energy at the launch of the new ‘home comfort’ grant scheme. Residents in Banbridge are able to benefit from this grant, which will deliver significant savings on fuel bills as natural gas is cheaper than oil and highly efficient. The insulation allowance provided allows families to save even more, which will help to lower household bills even further. I would encourage anyone interested in gaining some extra ‘home comfort’ to apply for a grant sooner rather than later, as there are a limited number available."
Damian, from firmus energy, continued: "Given that almost half of heat loss in a typical home is through the walls and roof, the ‘home comfort’ scheme, which can also include insulation, will allow families in Banbridge to ensure their homes are as energy-efficient as possible.
"Our existing customers in Banbridge love the fact that they will ‘never run out’ of fuel and have a constant, instant supply of hot water. Those who qualify for ‘home comfort’ grants will also enjoy these benefits and, as there is no need for an oil tank or hot water cylinder, people who switch to natural gas can also have extra space in their gardens or could even ‘splash out’ on a new shower unit inside! Switching to natural gas from firmus energy makes common sense as it just takes one quick phone call to take advantage of lower fuel bills."
Cashback grants are available to owner occupiers and private renting tenants converting their homes from a range of fuel sources, including oil, coal, LPG and Economy7 or even without a current heating system and are only available through firmus energy qualified installers.