East Dunbartonshire Council today launched a Local Energy Saving Scheme (LESS) which aims to make every single private home in the whole of East Dunbartonshire more energy efficient.

The Council is amongst the first local authorities in Scotland to launch the scheme which is set to dramatically cut household fuel bills as a result.

A new local partnership between East Dunbartonshire Council, a range of local community based organisations and services, Scottish Hydro Electric, energy efficiency charity SOLAS, The Pension Service and the Energy Saving Scotland Advice Centre will work together to make this massive task deliverable.

Councillor Amanda Stewart, Convener of the Council’s Housing and Community Services Committee, said: "All private households, whether Owner Occupiers or Private Tenants stand to benefit from the scheme. I am absolutely delighted that this has all come together with the input from all the partners.

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"East Dunbartonshire Council is committed to tackling fuel poverty, soaring energy costs and reducing emissions. Warm homes, lower fuel bills, and a smaller carbon footprint are what we need for the future. It's a win -win situation for everyone involved especially the people of East Dunbartonshire.

"My advice would be to contact LESS, have your house checked, get your grant and have the work done now – do it before you put your heating on this winter! The Council endorses LESS because we believe it provides the best service at the best price for East Dunbartonshire householders."

LESS is on standby in its Dunbartonshire offices to take your call free on 08000 19 82 20.

Every householder is eligible for a free survey and advice visit from LESS and everyone qualifies for a grant usually ranging from 50% to 100% of the cost of insulation. Loft insulation should be around 300mm deep, with pipes and tanks lagged, and cavity wall insulation installed wherever possible. If you install this in a house with no insulation, you'll cut annual fuel bills by up to £400.

LESS is the only home energy efficiency insulation service endorsed by East Dunbartonshire Council. SOLAS has over 22 years of experience having insulated 100,000 homes in West and Central Scotland in that time.

LESS is a not-for-profit scheme and also offers a free Home Energy Report, independent energy advice and, due to rising fuel costs, the services of a Community Officer who, amongst other things, negotiates fuel debts with the utility companies to reduce fuel poverty.

While many qualify for free insulation, everyone qualifies for a CERT grant – even the most affluent owner occupiers - with a typical 3-bedroom house costing them around £170 for loft insulation, and £144 for cavity wall insulation (which comes with a 25-year guarantee).

(GK/KMcA)