SSE Airtricity Gas NI is writing to some 120,000 customers across Northern Ireland inviting those eligible to join their Energy Care Scheme for vulnerable customers. Under the SSE Airtricity scheme natural gas customers who are homeowners and who are of pension age, are disabled (including those who are deaf or blind), or are chronically sick are eligible for a free annual gas safety check*.
To launch this year’s scheme SSE Airtricity Gas is providing eligible customers with an added incentive of a free gas boiler service in addition to the annual gas boiler safety check to get each customer’s boiler winter-ready.
The move, announced today, will see free gas safety check and boiler services carried out by SSE Airtricity Energy Services, at the homes of all homeowners on the vulnerable customer list living in the Greater Belfast area. The scheme aims to ensure that boilers and appliances in many older and vulnerable people’s homes are in full and safe working order, helping them stay safe and warm in their homes.
Madeline Saggers, SSE Airtricity Gas NI said: “With the help of our Energy Services Team here in Northern Ireland, SSE Airtricity Gas NI is committed to helping the community in which we work and supply energy. The gas safety check scheme is an important and proactive way for us to help our customers improve and ensure the energy efficiency in their homes.
“While gas is a great source of fuel for homes, it is important to remember the need to use it safely. The annual gas safety check for eligible vulnerable homeowners will ensure the safety of their gas boiler and appliances. In addition to providing eligible customers with an annual gas boiler safety check we’re pleased this year to be able to partner with our colleagues in SSE Airtricity Energy Services to provide an additional free gas boiler service with every safety check completed under the scheme. In this way we’re helping our vulnerable customers, keeping them warm and safe in the knowledge that their gas boiler and appliances are in full, efficient and safe working order.”
Francis Hughes, Chair of Age Sector Platform said: “This initiative should give comfort to elderly people across Belfast who have gas boilers that their heating source is safe and secure for the winter ahead. Older people in particular are vulnerable to ill-health resulting from lack of heat and I would urge anyone who thinks they may be eligible for the free checks to contact SSE Airtricity Gas.”
The Commissioner for Older People NI, Claire Keating, said: “Any assistance that helps older people keep warm and keep well is to be welcomed. Far too often, we hear of older people going without heat, and so a free safety check and gas boiler service will go some way towards helping those on low incomes ensure that they have more money to spend on heating their home.”
Those who think they or a relative may be eligible for the vulnerable customers list should contact SSE Airtricity Gas on 0345 900 5253 to register.
* Eligibility: The annual gas safety check is available to households of SSE Airtricity customers where all of the occupants of the household are either of pensionable age, disabled (including those who are deaf or blind), chronically sick or minors. Customers who live in Private or Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) rented accommodation should contact their landlord for further information on how to avail of an annual gas safety check. In accordance with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 the landlord of the consumer is responsible for the annual safety inspection of gas appliances and other gas fittings on the consumer’s side of the meter.