Stirling homes to benefit from energy project

Aug 5 2009 by Iain Howie, Stirling Observer Wednesday

HOMES in Stirling are to be among the first in Scotland to benefit from moves to improve energy conservation.

Free advice on energy efficiency and access to discounted loft and cavity wall insulation have been put forward by the Scottish Government, which has pumped £15 million into the project.

It has also said up to 900 jobs could be created across Scotland due to the scheme.

More than 17,000 households in the Stirling Council area, equivalent to every property in the city, will be offered help to make their homes more energy-efficient.

Stirling will also be among the first to benefit from a ground-breaking home insulation scheme over the next year.

The Energy Saving Trust, will manage the delivery of the scheme, working with energy suppliers, councils and other partners.

Doorstep assessors will knock on every door in the selected areas to provide energy advice, gather energy data on the property and seek to sign the householder up for insulation measures where their home is suitable.

Free energy efficiency measures will be offered to low-income households whose homes are suitable. Higher-income customers will be offered measures at a discount.

Housing and communities minister Alex Neil said: “Making Scotland’s homes better insulated will be key to achieving our ambitious climate change targets.

“By offering householders help with making their homes more energy efficient people will have the opportunity to do their bit for the environment. Importantly it will help make homes warmer, reduce fuel bills, safeguard existing jobs and create new employment opportunities.”

The Scottish director of the Energy Saving Trust Mike Thornton said: “We are looking forward to working with local authorities and other stakeholders in the areas selected to make the scheme a success.”

Bruce Crawford, MSP for the Stirling constituency, said: “Making homes more energy-efficient is key to achieving the ambitious environmental objectives the Scottish Government has set out and I am delighted that Stirling will be among the first parts of the country to be targeted through this excellent initiative.

“I look forward to the successful roll-out of this initiative and the positive difference it will make to the energy efficiency of homes across Stirling.”