News
Monday 29 May 2006
Take Energy Action And Save Money On Your Fuel Bills
Photo opportunity
To launch the Energy Action Areas project in Musselburgh, Wallyford and Whitecraig outside the Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh at 10am on Tuesday 30 May 2006. Local Councillor Norman Murray will be photographed with John Caldwell from Musselburgh Community Council, helping Energy Action Hero smash a lifesize fuel bill.
2,600 homeowners in Longniddry, Musselburgh, Wallyford and Whitecraig will be invited to take up the offer of a discounted National Home Energy Rating survey for £20, instead of the usual £100. In addition, householders will be given tailored advice on how to make their homes more energy efficient; what savings they can make on their fuel bills; and what benefits this would have on the environment. Where possible, assistance will be given with the various grants that are available to install energy efficiency measures. These identified improvements could save them up to 50% on their fuel bills [1].
Following the survey, homeowners will receive a detailed, tailored report with recommendations for improving their energy efficiency as well as a National Home Energy Rating certificate with score out of 10 (10 being very energy efficient) for their property.
Each year UK houses lose enough heat to heat 3 million homes for a year. The heat escapes though poorly insulated walls, windows and loft spaces and costs the householders £1.2 billion per year [2].
Energy Action Areas is an innovative project, delivered in partnership with the Energy Saving Trust, East Lothian Council and the Edinburgh-based sustainable development charity Changeworks, to help homeowners improve energy efficiency, save money on fuel bills and protect the environment.
Local councillor, Norman Murray, said: "I am delighted that this offer is being made available to householders in Musselburgh, Wallyford and Whitecraig. I encourage you to take advantage of this. I am sure that this will benefit those who take up the offer, keeping homes warmer this coming winter and reducing fuel bills."
Project Manager Sam Mills from Changeworks said: "With the increase in fuel bills, twenty pounds on a home energy survey is money well spent. Homeowners will be able to find out how energy efficient their properties are, what improvements could be made and how to they can save money on heating their homes."
For more information about energy efficiency, contactn the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on FREEPHONE 0800 512 012.
Notes to Editors
For more information, please contact:
Mark McArthur - East Lothian Council
T: 01620 827862
Sam Mills - Changeworks
T: 0131 468 8653
Further information about Changeworks (formerly Lothian and Edinburgh Environmental Partnership - LEEP) is available through the website: www.changeworks.org.uk.
[1] Based on an average household spending £600 - 700 per year on energy bills. Source: Energy Saving Trust "Don't Let Your Home Get Away With It" information pack.
[2] Figures are based on information from the "Home and the environment" section of the Energy Saving Trust's website: http://www.est.org.uk/myhome/climatechange/stats/homeenvironment/.
