19 November 2008
Four Council representatives snuggled into a giant woolly jumper for the official launch of the money saving, home warming, East Sussex Energy Partnership, on Monday (November 17). The new Council managed and approved scheme, worth £2.5 million over the next three years, is offering thousands of households the chance to cut their heating bills with free or discounted energy-saving measures such as wall and loft insulation.
The representatives from Eastbourne, Hastings, Rother and Wealden Councils gathered at the De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill, to highlight the scheme, which uniquely unites the four local authorities in tackling fuel poverty and helping to improve energy efficiency in homes across East Sussex.
The current funding comes from the Government’s commitment to help reduce the UK’s energy usage to help protect the environment and combat global warming as well as assisting vulnerable households to meet rising energy costs. The East Sussex Energy Partnership scheme, led by Eastbourne Borough Council, also strengthens the position of East Sussex in applying for further Government funding and schemes of a similar nature.
Around half of heat loss in a typical home is through the walls and loft. Without adequate insulation, a typical home could be wasting £350 per year. The council-managed and council approved East Sussex Energy Partnership can provide government-funded grants for home insulation to eligible home owners or private tenants – regardless of income. The insulation could be free if you or anyone living in your privately owned or privately rented home is over 60, claiming working tax credits with children under 16, or is disabled or chronically ill. The free or discounted insulation grants could save you hundreds of pounds per year: loft - £205; external wall - £500; cavity wall - £160; water tank and pipe - £60; draft proofing - £30.
The East Sussex Energy Partnership can also provide grants for the installation of environmentally-friendly, renewable energy sources to provide heating – reducing the need for gas and electricity and drastically cutting your energy bills. A ground source and air source heat pump could save around £410 per year off your gas bill or £1,000 per year off your electricity bill.
If you are a homeowner or private tenant phone Freephone 0800 980 0901 or visit the East Sussex Partnership website to see if you can make your home warmer, save energy and save money.
