Highland householders benefit from warmer homes and make savings on their energy bills

Householders in three wards across Highland are already feeling the benefit of a Scottish Government programme to potentially make their homes warmer and help save money on energy bills.

Last autumn The Highland Council was awarded funding by the Scottish Government to deliver the Universal Home Insulation Scheme (UHIS) in three Highland wards – Badenoch & Strathspey; East Sutherland & Edderton; and Skye.
 
The scheme offered free surveys and installation to private households identified as needing cavity wall and loft insulation. Many householders were also offered a free home energy audit and free impartial advice to help reduce fuel bills through the Scottish Government’s Energy Assistance Package.
 
The final outturn figures reported to the Scottish Government show that of the thousands of households who received mail regarding the scheme 355 households had cavity wall insulation installed and 1433 households benefited from loft insulation.

Margaret Davidson Chair of The Highland Council’s Housing and Social Work Committee said:  “This has been a great offer for householders in these rural areas of the Highlands. Those taking part have not only made their homes warmer but they have also saved money on their energy bills.  Lately there has been a lot in the national news about energy costs rising, so any savings made has to be good news.”

Everyone who took part in the Scheme was invited to enter a prize draw and Mr Govier from Lower Breakish near Broadford, Mr Beange of Grantown on Spey and the Shaw family from Dornoch have each won £500 of vouchers to spend on energy saving appliances for their homes.
 
Peter Rickard, Centre Manager of the local Energy Saving Scotland advice centre who helped organise the campaign on behalf of The Highland Council said: “The Universal Home Insulation Scheme is a successful part of our long-term efforts to tackle high energy bills in Highland. Although the scheme has ended we still urge householders to call us on 0800 512 012 and speak to one of our friendly advisors about other ways they can save energy and keep their bills down.”