Firmus energy launched an exciting initiative today offering almost £2million worth of grants to qualifying households across Northern Ireland to switch their existing heating system to natural gas.

The scheme is open to households in the firmus energy network area namely Londonderry~Derry (Newbuildings),Limavady, Coleraine (Portstewart), Ballymoney, Ballymena (Broughshane), Antrim (inc. Ballyclare and Templepatrick), Craigavon (inc. Portadown and Lurgan), Banbridge, Newry (Warrenpoint) and Armagh (Tandrage).

This is the third year that firmus energy has run the 'toasty homes' scheme, which is part-funded through the Northern Ireland Sustainability Energy Programme. The ‘toasty homes’ scheme gives homes in the firmus energy network area, the opportunity to secure a grant of up to £1,500 towards the installation costs of converting to a new natural gas heating system. Anyone who successfully secures one of the 'toasty homes' grants can also benefit from up to £800 towards insulating their home, free energy saving light bulbs and a free energy monitor.

Last year more than 500 homes across Northern Ireland received a grant to convert to natural gas, which is a convenient, versatile and more efficient fuel. This year, grants totalling £1,915,000 will be available to over 600 households via the toasty homes scheme and a further 200 households can benefit from the toasty home plus grants. The grants are available across the firmus energy network in Northern Ireland, on a first-come, first-served basis. What makes the 'toasty home' scheme unique is that it is open to households which currently use oil, LPG, Economy 7, solid fuel or those with no heating system.

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New this year, an additional £715,000 worth of grants has been allocated to qualifying homes under the Toasty Homes Plus scheme. Toasty Homes Plus offers qualifying households a free natural gas heating system conversion and up to £800 to help insulate their home.

Given that almost a quarter of heat is lost through the roof of an un-insulated home, the 'toasty homes' scheme, which can also includes insulation, will allow householders to ensure their homes are as energy-efficient as possible.

Customers who secure a 'toasty homes' grant will receive financial support to install a high efficiency natural gas boiler which will help reduce household fuel bills and reduce CO2 emissions.

Adding the savings from more efficient boilers, proper controls and the lower cost of natural gas can create huge savings. firmus energy natural gas prices continue to be the lowest of any domestic gas supplier in Northern Ireland. Natural gas from firmus energy remains one of the lowest cost heating fuels for your home.

Shelly Burns, firmus energy, was in Ballymena to help launch the 'toasty homes' scheme with the Mayor of Ballymena, Councillor Hubert Nicholl. Shelly said: "We're delighted to announce that even more ‘toasty homes’ grants are available this year. It’s a fantastic scheme as the criterion allows us to reach out to those households that may miss out on other benefit schemes. Switching to natural gas from firmus energy makes common sense as it just takes one quick phone call to take advantage of a more versatile and environmentally friendly fuel.

"Our existing customers love the fact that they will ‘never run out’ of fuel and have a constant, instant supply of hot water. Those who qualify for toasty homes 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!

"We also offer homes the option of paying for their gas using our 'pay-as-you-go' firmus energy smart card, which makes it easier to budget and means one less bill for householders to worry about. So, there has never been a better time for people to make the switch to natural gas from firmus energy."

(CD/GK)