Insulate Hampshire seals its success
Friday, 15 February 2013
Members of the Hampshire Senate have heard how the Senate-backed'nsulate Hampshire' scheme has provided loft and cavity wall insulation to 13,900 Hampshire homes - and in the first year alone after installation, will help to save residents £2.3million from their energy bills, and 9,500 tonnes of CO2.
The scheme which was backed by all members of the Senate plus Eastleigh and Fareham Borough Councils with funding from ScottishPower, saw over 18,600 cavity walls and lofts being fitted with insulation, largely at no cost to the resident. Residents were also able to pick up free DIY 'top up' rolls of loft insulation at community events, to install themselves at home. Enough rolls of loft insulation were given away at these events to cover 31 football pitches.
The total amount that is expected to be saved thanks to the 'Insulate Hampshire'; measures is over £92million from Hampshire householders' fuel bills. Meanwhile over 381,000 tonnes of CO2 will be saved over the lifespan of the cavity wall and loft insulation for Hampshire residents.
The highest number of installations took place in East Hampshire (2,385), followed by Basingstoke and Deane (2,267), New Forest (2,179) and Test Valley (2,007).
Chairman of the Hampshire Senate, Councillor Ken Thornber, said: "Insulate Hampshire has been hugely successful in helping people to insulate their homes and save money, which is particularly important as the cost of energy continues to rise, and households face ongoing financial pressures. The scheme has also been a positive boost to Hampshire's local economy - creating and maintaining 100 jobs.
"Tackling fuel poverty is a priority for the Hampshire Senate, and thanks to the thousands of insulation measures installed during the scheme, collectively, the Senate and its partners have helped to empower households across the county to take positive action to reduce their bills, and at the same time improve people's health and wellbeing."
Meanwhile, building on scheme's success, and through the Insulate Hampshire partnership, members of the Senate have heard how people on low incomes and other vulnerable householders will get even more help to keep warm and cut the cost of heating thanks to £383,544 funding awarded to Hampshire County Council by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
The funding will be used to provide a full package of loft clearance, insulation and storage solutions for up to 390 households. It is anticipated this could save up to £175 on energy bills per household, each year.
Around 20 households who have benefited recently from a free gas connection to their property via Southern Gas Networks' Assisted Connections scheme will also have gas central heating installed, thanks to the additional funding from the DECC. For these households it is estimated they could save up to £300 per year on their energy bills.
Qualifying criteria does apply for both of these funding applications and there is a requirement from DECC that the projects are completed by 31 March 2013.
Insulate Hampshire will be contacting those residents who qualify, from the original scheme.
Hampshire County Council's Hitting the Cold Spots scheme aims to give older people and vulnerable people immediate and practical advice on reducing energy bills, increasing available income and keeping warm. Help is available until the end of March from a trained advisor by calling a free number (0800 804 8601) and, depending on the situation, further help may also be on offer including` free home assessments and grants to assist with hot water and heating repairs using Buy With Confidence traders.
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