Residents offered chance to cut fuel bills in their homes

RESIDENTS in the Whitby area will soon be enjoying warmer homes and saving hundreds of pounds on energy costs thanks to a new partnership between a leading fuel poverty organisation and Scarborough Council.

GoWarm, which already delivers a range of energy efficiency measures and benefits advice to homes across the North, is launching a scheme initially covering seven wards in the Whitby area, starting on Monday.

The GoWarm team will be working in the Danby, Esk Valley, Fylingdales, Mayfield, Mulgrave, Streonshalh and Whitby West Cliff wards, promoting a range of energy efficiency measures.

Residents aged over 60 or in receipt of certain benefits could qualify for free loft and cavity wall insulation, while everyone else will be given the chance to take advantage of heavily subsidised measures, including cavity wall and loft insulation.

The council is backing the scheme as part of its commitment to reduce fuel poverty and carbon emissions across the borough over the next two years and believes it will make a real difference to the lives of anyone who uses it.

Coun Jonathan Dixon, Scarborough Council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “Insulating your home is a great way to protect your pocket and the planet.

“Figures show that it can save householders up to 300 a year on energy bills and reduce their annual carbon emissions by up to one tonne. It may be simple, but it’s certainly effective.”

Karen Hindhaugh, director of GoWarm, said:“GoWarm has already helped more than 95,000 homes across the North East and Yorkshire since it was launched at the end of 2007.

“We would encourage householders across Whitby to complete the short doorstep assessment when the assessor calls so that we can help them too. They may well be surprised by what they’re entitled to.”

All assessors on the GoWarm initiative will be easily identifiable in their dark green GoWarm uniforms and will be carrying photo ID cards.

Anyone who has any concerns about the identity of an assessor should contact GoWarm on 08444 999944.

More details can also be found online at www.gowarm.org.uk.