£200,000 slashed from energy bills (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

£200,000 slashed from energy bills

1:30pm Saturday 27th December 2008 in

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A scheme offering free insulation to pensioners in the Bradford district has so far helped them save an estimated £200,000 a year on their energy bills.

Bradford Council has set up the programme to provide people with cavity wall and loft insulation, called Community Warmth.

It is free to over 60s and people living in Council Tax band A or B may also be entitled to free cavity wall insulation, where possible.

The scheme is in partnership with EAGA and npower and is only available to homeowners and those in privately-rented accommodation.

Others who do not qualify for the free work, could benefit from the offer of heavily subsidised insulation.

It began in Ilkley and Wibsey in October and is expected to reach 170,000 households in the district over the next two years. So far 451 cavity walls and 778 lofts have been insulated.

In addition extra surveyors have been recruited, resulting in 22 new jobs. In addition there have already been 260 referrals to the national Warm Front scheme, where qualifying households can potentially access a £2,700 grant for heating measures – totalling £702,000.

Installing cavity wall insulation will reduce a home’s energy bills by £160 every year, while the correct amount of loft insulation will save up to £200.

Council leader Kris Hopkins said: “It is very good news for the Bradford district and the Council is proud to be playing the lead role on behalf of our residents.”

Councillor Adrian Naylor, executive member for regeneration, said: “The heavily subsidised price of £149 for measures is a small price to pay for peace of mind when using a tried and tested contractor backed by Bradford Council. The payback could be as little as one year to four years with savings guaranteed by the product life for more than 40 years.”

The Council has set aside £300,000 this year to pay for the scheme. Once agreed, the work is carried out by Community Warmth’s specialist contractors and is usually completed in less than a day.

Those who want to take advantage of the Council scheme should ring 0800 694 0418.

If anyone is in any doubt as to whether a salesman is part of Community Warmth or not, call the Council on (01274) 433556.