The Scottish government has announced an additional £18 million to help householders install energy efficient measures and reduce their heating bills, bringing the total support available through Home Energy Scotland to £50 million in 2021-2022.

People are being urged to seek support and advice from Home Energy Scotland to help make their homes warmer and reduce their heating bills, on average by up to £300.

Financial support worth up to £5,000 is also available to make homes more energy efficient through improvements like home insulation, double glazing or a new heating system.

Home Energy Scotland also supports households with practical advice and, where appropriate, install energy efficient measures - making homes more energy efficient and savings householders money.

Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings Patrick Harvie said: "As the colder weather returns and given the concern around rising energy bills, we want to ensure that people are aware of the support available to keep their homes warm this winter. Home Energy Scotland offers advice, support and funding to help people make energy saving improvements, helping them reduce their energy costs.

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"The free impartial advice and support is available for anyone concerned about paying their energy bills and we would urge people struggling with their fuel bills to get in touch with Home Energy Scotland."

Recent research by Home Energy Scotland shows that 70% of people in Scotland feel concerned about energy bills rising, with almost two thirds using more energy than usual during the first 12 months of the pandemic. The research also found that 59% of Scots have noticed a worrying rise in their energy bills already.

Head of Home Energy Scotland Harry Mayers said: "24,000 households across the country have already benefited from new energy efficient measures, like a new heating system or insulation, by getting in contact with Home Energy Scotland. But with people spending more time at home over the past 18 months due to coronavirus, energy usage has been greater than ever.

"We therefore want to be able to help even more people to make energy saving improvements to their home. A home that isn’t well insulated can lose more than 50% of its heat through its roof and walls so making improvements can help your finances and make your home more energy efficient, comfortable and cheaper to heat while helping lower emissions in Scotland."