Orkney Islands Council has welcomed funding worth more than £1.5 million from the Scottish Government to improve the energy efficiency of homes across the county.

Over the last five years, the EES:ABS (Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme) and similar previous initiatives have helped more than 650 households in Orkney make their homes warmer through the installation of energy-saving improvements, primarily insulation.

Councillor Gwenda Shearer, the Council's chair of Education, Leisure and Housing, said: "I'm very pleased that the Government is awarding us further funding for the year ahead.

"Midway through summer, I'd encourage folk to think ahead to the colder days of winter and steps they could take to make their homes warmer and more energy efficient.

"With this timely announcement that funding continues to be available, I would urge folk to find out if they could benefit, before winter weather arrives."

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Under the scheme, eligible households can receive funding for:

• Loft insulation

• Internal wall insulation

• External wall insulation

• Under floor insulation

• High heat retention storage heaters; following necessary insulation upgrades.

Up to £10,000 is available per applicant. However, a higher grant award of £14,000 can be considered based on the applicant's circumstances. A further £8,000 may also be available for the installation of modern super-efficient storage heaters in homes with the correct insulation also installed.

The scheme is aimed at home owners, private sector tenants and landlords. To find out if your household is eligible for funding, you should contact Warmworks, the company appointed by the Council to manage the EES:ABS scheme in Orkney.

Ross Armstrong, Managing Director of Warmworks said: "As Warmworks continues to roll out a wide range of energy efficiency improvements to households across Orkney, we're delighted to build on the ongoing success of the scheme by delivering a second year of it on behalf of Orkney Islands Council.

"With our new office in Kirkwall, Warmworks is committed to delivering a first-class service to local people and their families, helping them become warmer, happier and healthier in their homes.

"We're supporting the local community in a meaningful, sustainable, and practical way, saving each customer an average of almost £500 off their annual fuel bill. Anyone that has already applied for the scheme and given us their details won't need to apply again, we'll be in touch with them separately."