Oil heating investment in rural areas

Twenty-eight homes in Pomeroy, the Loup and Ardboe will benefit from the almost one quarter of a million investment.

Housing Executive District Manager Ivan Armstrong said the installation of oil heating will be a major boost for rural tenants.

“The scheme will replace their old, inefficient and polluting solid fuel heating systems with more efficient and cleaner oil heating systems,” said Mr Armstrong.

“And in some areas where it is not feasible to install oil heating, electric heating will be installed.

Budgeting for oil is very important if tenants are to avoid the shock of having to pay for a fill of oil. Most councils now provide a stamp scheme where tenants can collect fuel stamps to help pay for their oil. Some oil companies also operate a Paypoint scheme to help pay for their oil.

“As a responsible landlord and as the Home Energy Conservation Authority for Northern Ireland, the Housing Executive aims to make its homes as comfortable and as energy efficient as possible. Good housing also makes a valuable contribution to sustaining rural communities, a key objective of the Housing Executive’s rural policy, and this work demonstrates our continuing commitment to this goal.

“Our contractor H & A Mechanical Services Ltd has extensive experience in carrying out work of this nature, liaising with individual tenants and the Housing Executive to achieve the high standards set and expected.”

The scheme is due to be completed by early summer.