More Inverclyde homes are set to benefit from Inverclyde Council’s local energy savings scheme following a successful bid for £200,000 funding.

The money from the Scottish Government’s Universal Home Insulation Scheme means that Inverclyde Council and its LESS Inverclyde partners SOLAS Insulation Ltd and Scottish Hydro Electric will be able to offer free loft, cavity wall installation or loft insulation top-ups to around 500 homes in Inverclyde.

2,500 householders will also have access to a free home energy report, billing advice, energy advocacy and energy efficiency advice.

Councillor Robert Moran, Convenor of the Council’s Safe, Sustainable Communities Committee and Chair of LESS Inverclyde said: “This funding provides an excellent opportunity for people to improve the energy efficiency of their home before winter arrives and to save money on their heating bills now and over the lifetime of the insulation. A properly insulated loft can save the typical household over £200 a year according to the Energy Saving Trust.

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“Many householders think their loft is well insulated, when in fact it isn’t. The current Scottish Government standard for loft insulation is a depth of between 270 and 300mm, which is the length of a school ruler. Even if you have had your loft insulated within the past 10 years, it’s worth checking, as there is a chance yours is only half as deep as the standard, or worse.”

Inverclyde homeowners are being urged to make sure they have enough loft insulation, and to take advantage of the offer of free insulation which is only available through the LESS Inverclyde scheme.

Councillor Wilson, Chair of Inverclyde Council’s Green Charter and Environment Group commented: “We are proud to say that we believe the LESS Inverclyde model to be the best service of its kind in the country. The funding our officers have secured from the Scottish Government combined with the CERT funding from Scottish Hydro Electric means that we can offer this fantastic free insulation deal to householders. Since it was launched in November 2008, LESS Inverclyde has been inundated with enquiries from householders who have had enough of high fuel bills and I am pleased that LESS Inverclyde continues to develop services which make a significant difference to people’s lives and their household finances.”

For further information call LESS now on 08000 19 82 20.

(GK/KMcA)