Aberdeenshire residents could improve energy efficiency in their homes for a reduced cost, or even for free, thanks to a series of new initiatives.

Aberdeenshire Council has adopted a national Council Tax Discount Scheme which will provide a £60 discount to qualifying residents when they install cavity wall or loft insulation in their homes.

The initiative is a partnership between the council and Scottish Gas, although residents don’t need to be a Scottish Gas customer to benefit.

It has been introduced under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, which places responsibility on local authorities to develop such measures.

The Council Tax Discount Scheme will operate across Aberdeenshire, although residents in the Marr area may be able to improve their insulation for free under a separate initiative, the Scottish Government Home Insulation Scheme.

Under the Home Insulation Scheme, advice and assistance will be provided to around 90,000 households across Scotland, with many of those going on to receive free energy efficiency measures.

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The council has been successful in the second phase of the project, which will allow the energy performance of 16,500 properties in the Marr area to be improved.

The scheme will provide free loft insulation and cavity wall insulation to homeowners who require loft top up to the recommended minimum standard of 270mm.

And under a separate programme, the authority is installing energy efficiency measures in all council-owned properties in the Marr area.

Dr Christine Gore, Director of Planning and Environmental Services for Aberdeenshire Council, said: “Improving the energy efficiency of a property can provide ongoing savings in energy bills.

“Between them, these initiatives will allow a significant number of Aberdeenshire residents to make such improvements at a reduced cost, or even for free.”

Some Aberdeenshire residents will qualify for more than one of the schemes. In addition, residents who own their own home or rent privately and claim certain income or disability benefits may qualify for other offers.

For free and impartial advice, residents should contact the Energy Saving Scotland Advice Centre on 0800 512 012.

Residents interested in applying for the Council Tax Discount Scheme who are not eligible for other grants should contact Scottish Gas directly on 0845 605 2535, quoting reference ABSH.

Tenants of properties owned by the council or a housing association should contact their landlord, as they are in the process of making sure all their houses have the required levels of insulation at no cost to tenants.

(GK/KMcA)