‘Cheaper fuel bills’ promised as insulation scheme is launched

A SCHEME providing free loft insulation which is launched in Leeds today is expected to benefit up to 15,000 homeowners and private tenants.

Homeowners and private renters – regardless of age or income – are being urged to sign up to the scheme which offers free cavity wall and loft insulation – but only the first 15,000 applicants will qualify, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Similar schemes have been very popular in other parts of Yorkshire, including the areas covered by Sheffield and Kirklees councils.

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In Sheffield over 30,000 householders signed up and similar numbers have benefited across Kirklees, which covers Huddersfield and Dewsbury.

Householders in parts of Wakefield have also signed up to a similar free scheme and in November York Council launched a £100,000 project which expires at the end of this month.

Homeowners in Leeds who have the latest insulation for their properties can save up to £300 a year on their fuel bills.

Called Wrap up Leeds, the scheme will see Leeds Council working with Yorkshire Energy Services to insulate thousands of homes across the city.

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The aim is to reduce fuel bills as well as the amount of harmful carbon dioxide produced in the city. And by keeping homes warmer, the council hopes that people’s health will also benefit.

A council spokesman said: “Insulation is quick and easy to install, makes your home more comfortable and can save up to £300 in an average three bedroom semi-detached property.

“Wrap up Leeds goes live today – January 3 – and is available for 15,000 Leeds residents on a first-come, first-served basis until September 2012.

“The scheme is available across the city, and the Wrap Up Leeds team will be knocking on doors in some areas of the city where the available information on fuel poverty and the types of houses suggests that free insulation will have the highest impact.

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“But please don’t wait for someone to knock on your door. To arrange a survey to find out if your home can benefit please contact Wrap Up Leeds free on 0800 052 0071, email [email protected] or visit www.wrapupleeds.co.uk

Councillors are urging people without adequate house insulation to sign up as quickly as possible.

Coun Mark Dobson, executive board member for Leeds City Council, said: “We want to help people in Leeds to cope with rising fuel prices and to reduce health problems we know are caused by cold homes. Insulation is one of the most effective ways of dealing with that, and we wanted to offer it for free to anyone in the city.

“But changes to government rules mean we can only offer it to around 15,000 homes, so please act now to see if your home can benefit.

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“The scheme will also create local jobs and reduce the amount of harmful carbon dioxide we release into the city’s atmosphere.”

Wrap Up Leeds offers cavity wall insulation and loft insulation free of charge, subject to a free technical survey provided by the scheme.

While many other free offers only apply where no loft insulation currently exists, Wrap Up Leeds can top up existing loft insulation free of charge to the recommended 270mm to help save even more on rising fuel bills.

Wrap Up Leeds is available to all homeowners and privately rented tenants (where the landlord’s permission has been granted) in the Leeds Council area only.

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The city council spokesman said that some larger properties, or those needing a large amount of scaffolding, may be subject to a charge for insulation.

“A free, technical survey of the property will confirm that the work will definitely be free and much larger properties or those that need extensive scaffolding etc may be subject to an extra charge.”