The Scottish Government's home energy programmes are to save householders more than £1bn on their energy bills.

Since the Government's four home energy programmes were introduced in 2009, more than 800,000 households have been offered energy advice or assistance.

The initiatives from the Government include the Boiler Scrappage Scheme, which recently exceeded the Scottish Government's 30,000 boiler replacement target, as well as the Energy Assistance Package, Universal Home Insulation Scheme and Home Insulation Scheme.

Activity for 2012/13 is expected to save a further million tonnes of carbon dioxide over the lifetime of the energy measures put in place, which is around 15 years for a new heating system and 40 years for new insulation. This is supported by a record £79m this year for the new Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland which is targeted at households at risk of fuel poverty.

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There is also assistance for a number of households through the Green Homes Cashback Scheme which offers up to £1,200 towards energy efficiency measures.

Housing Minister Margaret Burgess announced the performance data, adding: "Meeting householders who have benefitted from the Scottish Government's home energy programmes puts into context how much they are saving through these measures and how vital these savings are.

"It is my belief that everyone in Scotland should live in a warm and safe home that doesn't cost the earth to heat. In these current economic times, it is more important than ever that people take advantage of money saving opportunities.

"Rising energy bills are a huge concern for this government, and fuel poverty is an absolute scandal in an energy rich country like Scotland."

(JP/CD)