Up to 3,500 homes in Edinburgh are to be insulated over the next year in an effort to make them cheaper to heat and to reduce fuel poverty.

In a statement, the local authority said homeowners and private tenants will benefit from an estimated £12m of funding through the Scottish Government's Home Energy Efficiency Programme (HEEPS) and the Energy Companies Obligation (ECO).

The Council, working with the Energy Savings Trust and Changeworks, will provide loft and cavity wall insulation to thousands of households across the capital who are at risk of being affected by fuel poverty.

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On average, private homes are less energy efficient than Council homes and have poorer energy performance ratings. Council tenants benefit from a comprehensive investment programme which has seen around £30m invested over the last five years in improving the energy efficiency of Council homes.

Councillor Cammy Day, Housing Convener, said: "The rising cost of heating is hitting poorer households hard. This initiative will make a major contribution to making homes for some of the worst affected households cheaper to heat.

"This initiative is a major part of the Coalition's commitment to ensuring that the city's people are well housed in quality accommodation, whether this is within our own stock or in privately owned homes."

www.homeenergyscotland.org

(JP/IT)