National funding for free or discounted insulation for local people is ending soon. The Council is urging householders to come forward to claim money through its Warm Streets scheme that offers grants to install cavity wall and loft insulation.
Over the past nine years, the big energy companies have provided money through the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target programme which has helped people install insulation in their home. However, this is soon to be replaced by the Government with a loan scheme that are likely to be in the region of £400 for householders.
Councillor Tim Ball (Lib-Dem, Twerton), Cabinet Member for Homes and Planning, said, “The Warm Streets initiative run by Bath & North East Somerset Council locally has been very successful in providing free loft and cavity wall insulation over recent years. We’ve supported thousands of insulation projects.
“This has the double impact of not only reduced fuel bills for hard pressed residents, but also tackling climate change as energy usage is reduced. Before the free scheme ends, we want people without insulation to get in contact with us to find out how they can benefit.”
To apply to Warm Streets, contact the Home Energy team at the Centre for Sustainable Energy, on 0800 082 2234, visit http://www.cse.org.uk/advice or e-mail [email protected].
Phillip Morris, Warm Streets project manager says “Insulating your loft and cavity walls is one of the best ways to keep warm in future winters, but it won’t be free for long, and when the subsidies stop it could cost people hundreds of pounds.”
Insulation Facts:
- Only 42% of homes have sufficient loft insulation in Bath and North East Somerset, with just around 26% having cavity wall insulation;
- 57% of people cost of energy bills at home is a big issue for them;
- According to the Energy Saving Trust, one quarter of heat loss from a house is through a non-insulated roof, and one third through non-insulated walls.
- By insulating walls a typical household could claim a saving of around £135.
