February 20, 2012 10.38 am This story is over 145 months old

Scheme saves residents £900k on fuel bills

Big savings: Residents are not just saving on heating bills, but also on their carbon emissions due to the scheme.

An insulation scheme in Lincolnshire has allowed county residents to reduce their fuel bills by almost £900,000.

Home Energy Lincs Partnership (H.E.L.P), launched in 2010, provides residents with free or discounted loft and cavity wall insulation.

So far, the scheme has installed insulation in 13,225 premisses and reduced annual bills by £888,685 so far.

The H.E.L.P scheme is also hoping to reduce C02 emissions in the county, estimating around a 4,899 ton reduction.

In Lincoln, residents are saving £87,480 and 483 tonnes of C02 emissions.

City Councillor Fay Smith said: “We’ve committed to reducing the city’s carbon footprint, but we know we can’t do it on our own, so anything we can do to help households to get their homes insulated will add to that effort.

“This scheme is fantastic – it’s good value and helps people to save money as well as reducing their individual carbon footprints.”

Housing Energy Officer at the City of Lincoln Council Dave Bowskill said: “Adequate loft insulation and can reduce heating bills by up to £140 every year, with cavity wall insulation reducing annual bills by around £110.

“Given the rise in fuel prices and the severity of recent winters, the payback time for H.E.L.P insulation measures is three to six months, so it makes sense to take advantage of the financial help.”

Over 70s or residents on certain benefits (with proof) are eligible for free insulation of their homes.

Other residents are able to get insulation via the scheme for a discounted price: £49 for cavity wall insulation and £79 for loft insulation.

The scheme is available for home owners, private landlords and private tenants in Lincolnshire.

For more information, contact the Energy Saving Trust on 0800 512 012. A H.E.L.P advisor wears a hi-visibility vests and carries identification with the H.E.L.P logo.

Source: City of Lincoln Council | Photo: Agenda 21