With memories fresh of last winter's big
freeze, Falkirk Council is teaming up with the Energy Savings Trust to offer
residents discounted and in some cases, free insulation as part of a Scottish
Government drive to help households save on their fuel bills as well as lower
carbon emissions.
Over 15,000 households in the Bo'ness,
Polmont and the Upper Braes areas could benefit as part of the new scheme that
compliments an existing Falkirk Council cavity wall and loft insulation
projects which target Council and former Council properties.
The areas were chosen as they were
identified as having properties with some of the highest carbon dioxide
emissions in a survey carried out in 2009 and are being targeted accordingly.
Cllr Jim Blackwood, Convener of Housing
and Social Care said: ‘In an uninsulated house, 25% of your heat is lost
through your roof and 33% through the walls. Insulating your walls and roof
will cut down on the heat lost through them, keeping your home warmer, your
bills down and you more comfortable.
‘The Home Insulation Scheme aims to
maximise the uptake of energy efficiency measures such as loft and cavity wall
insulation. Home owners will also be offered energy advice
combined with tariff advice and benefit checks and where appropriate, they may
be referred to the Scottish Government's fuel poverty programme - the Energy
Assistance Package.
‘In this way, the Home Insulation Scheme
will contribute to tackling fuel poverty within the Falkirk Council area and
reducing the need to face pricey energy bills that can cripple a household's
income.'
Work will start in late October 2010 and
is expected to take approximately six months. Residents will be contacted
via a letter from the Energy Saving Trust in partnership with Falkirk Council
and then this will be followed up by a visit from a surveyor. If they wish to
proceed with the work, a suitable time will be arranged.
How much of a discount households qualify
for or if they could be entitled to free insulation will depend on a number of
factors such as age and if they are in receipt of qualifying benefits
Further advice is available from the
Energy Saving Scotland advice centre on 0800 512 012 or Falkirk Council's Home
Energy Advice Unit on 01324 590807 or by visiting www.falkirk.gov.uk and
search for household energy advice