A significant scheme to boost energy efficiency in homes across the Falkirk Council area has secured £1.7 million pounds.

Falkirk Council and Paragon Housing joined forces to submit a bid which will lead to warmer homes which cost less to heat!

And an anticipated further £700k grant from utility companies could boost the scheme which hopes to install over 1,500 energy efficiency measures in private and socially rented homes across the Falkirk Council area.

Over the coming months the funding will be targeted at property types and areas identified as being ‘hard to heat’ or at risk of fuel poverty.

Councillor Gerry Goldie, Spokesperson for Housing said: “These schemes will put more money in local residents pockets by cutting fuel bills while also creating employment and reduce the impact hard to heat homes can have on health and wellbeing.

“Our partnership working with Paragon Housing and various utility companies is paying off and will benefit many local people thanks to a range of energy efficiency measures.”

As part of the overall funding package:

• Up to 55 private homes in rural areas which are of the gas grid could benefit from new efficient central heating and insulation
• Up to 189 private homes and 142 social homes could receive subsidised external wall insulation and 94 high rise properties will also benefit from improvements including insulated over cladding
• Up to 68 private and 500 council homes will benefit from subsidised cavity and loft insulation.

The energy efficiency measures will benefit Falkirk Council and Paragon Housing Association tenants as well as privately rented and owner occupied homes.

Michael Hesketh, Vice Chair of Paragon Housing Association said “ We are delighted to be involved in this project. This scheme follows on from a successful partnership project last year where the organisations working together secured major investment in energy efficiency measures for over 200 owned and socially rented properties  in the district.

“We have received excellent feedback from the first phase of work and we believe that the latest project will deliver real benefits for local people.” 

Funding is available subject to survey for property types and areas identified as meeting specific eligibility criteria such as being particularly ‘hard to heat’ or at risk of fuel poverty. Letters will be sent to all eligible households with details of the schemes as contractors are secured to deliver them throughout 2014/15.

Notes

Eligible properties must meet the criteria for Energy Company Obligation (ECO) funding and Scottish Government Home Energy Efficiency Programmes Scotland: Area Based Schemes (HEEPS: ABS).

Householders should contact Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 for free, impartial advice on grants, expected fuel bill savings, and how to check if contractors are accredited.