Highland households offered free home insulation

A total of 20,000 households in the Highlands are being given the chance to take advantage of a free offer to keep their homes warmer this winter and cut their energy costs.

Households in The Highland Council wards of Cromarty Firth, Tain and Easter Ross and Aird and Loch Ness received letters from The Highland Council this week outlining how they can apply for free loft and cavity wall insulation. Wick and Landward Caithness householders will get a similar letter before the end of this month.

The Council has been awarded £530,000 by the Scottish Government to deliver the Universal Home Insulation Scheme Phase 3, which aims to provide universal energy efficiency measures to a large number of Highland households and deliver emission savings and assist in reducing fuel poverty.

For private households identified as needing cavity wall and loft insulation, the scheme offers free surveys and installation by Carillion Energy Services who are delivering the scheme on behalf of the Council.

Those who wish to take advantage of the offer should act now and call the Carillion Energy Services hotline free on 0800 064 7043 to find out more about the scheme. 

Councillor Dave Fallows, Chairman of the Finance Housing and Resources Committee, said: “The offer of free insulation means that every household in these areas can benefit from a warmer winter and lower energy costs.  Once the letters have been dispatched, Carillion Energy Services will be door knocking in the relevant areas to carry out surveys.”

When the survey has been completed, and with the homeowner’s permission, referrals will also be made to the local Energy Saving Scotland Advice Centre to determine if householders may benefit from other advice or funding.  The Energy Saving Scotland Advice Centre can be contacted on 0800 512 012.