Boilers - Grants can ''help pensioners to stay warm''

18/02/2008

The government is urging pensioners to take advantage of the Warm Front programme to upgrade their central heating systems.

Warm Front provides grants of up to £2,700 to help eligible householders improve the insulation or boilers in their homes. The maximum grant can rise to £4,000 where an oil central heating system is required.

Householders aged 60 or over and receiving either income support, council tax benefit, housing benefit or pension credit are often entitled to the grants and the government has written to around 250,000 of them to encourage them to apply.

Environment minister Phil Woolas is keen to see those eligible for the money make the most of the Warm Front scheme.

"Insulating your home or improving your boiler can make a big difference to energy bills by stopping huge amounts of heat escaping and ensuring you use your energy more effectively," said Mr Woolas.

He added that with gas and electricity prices rising it is more important than ever for bill payers to ensure their homes are as energy efficient as possible.