Making Scotland warmer

Householders in ten areas of Scotland are being given the opportunity to stop wasting energy and money this winter thanks to the Home Insulation Scheme – an initiative which is Scottish Government funded and local authority endorsed. Delivered by the Energy Saving Trust, the scheme is offering householders free home energy audits, advice on making their homes more energy efficient, and offers suitable properties loft and cavity wall insulation – or a top-up to existing insulation - at a specially negotiated price or free of charge depending on the measure and household circumstances.

The scheme is being offered to up to 100,000 households in Scotland until the end of March 2010, with teams of doorstep Home Energy Assessors visiting every home in each area. Launched in November 2009 by Alex Neil, Scottish Minister for Housing and Communities, the first wave of householders to take part in the Home Insulation Scheme are now enjoying the benefits. One such householder is Sylvia Moar. Syliva, from Kirkwall in Orkney, had loft and cavity wall insulation installed in time for Christmas.

The news grabbed the attention of the local press, with BBC Radio Orkney interviewing Sylvia about the experience for its news bulletin. Sylvia said: “The Home Insulation Scheme is fantastic. A team arrived to fit loft and cavity wall insulation to my home and they have been great; it has been really straightforward and it is going to make a huge difference to this winter and for years to come. “I would recommend everyone who has the opportunity to receive an assessment through the Home Insulation Scheme.”

To find out more about the Home Insulation Scheme, visit www.homeinsulationscheme.co.uk.