Wirral Council are working with local charity, Energy Projects Plus, AgilityEco and Affordable Warmth Solutions, to offer fully funded central heating to residents who don’t currently have gas central heating.

Connected for Warmth is a new service designed to help eligible private and private rented sector households make big savings on their fuel bills.

The scheme, covering areas across the country, will provide a free first-time gas connection and energy-efficient heating system to eligible fuel poor homes in Wirral.

Cllr Stuart Whittingham, Wirral Council Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, said: “Staying warm and well during the Winter months is not a luxury, it is a basic human right.

“The Connected for Warmth scheme will support families and households for whom this is currently not the case.

“We’re proud to be backing this scheme in Wirral, ensuring that more residents are afforded the comfort of keeping warm, without having to pick and choose on the essentials.”

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.

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

To apply, residents are asked to complete a quick survey to determine their eligibility for the scheme.

If successful they will receive a free gas connection and new gas central heating system, utilising the latest energy efficient boilers.

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.

Jeremy Nesbitt, Managing Director of Affordable Warmth Solutions said: “This new scheme will provide a fresh avenue out of fuel poverty for those struggling with the cost of heating their homes.

“As the temperature drops and we enter what’s projected to be a very cold Winter the need for this kind of scheme has never been stronger.

“Connected for Warmth will be a valuable tool in the fight to ensure no one has to face the heart-breaking choice between heating and eating."

To find out more visit www.epplus.org.uk or call 0800 043 0151 to speak with an advisor and arrange your LEAP home energy visit.