How Green is our Parish?
How Green is our Parish?
People say ‘you can’t get something for nothing’, and ‘that there’s no such thing as a free lunch’, and being somewhat cynical, I’d usually agree with them… but I’m about to prove ‘people’, and myself, wrong on this occasion by telling you about something that is not only free, but that will actually save you money!! (Oh, and it’s environmentally friendly too – of course!)
There is a project currently in Cornwall called ‘The Home Health Scheme’. Run in conjunction with The Energy Saving Trust, it is targeting areas of social deprivation to improve housing by making homes warmer and drier and so improving the health of those living in them. The side-effects of this are, of course, that improved insulation in homes means that residents use less fuel, their costs go down, and the environment benefits from less fuel being used. Cunning!
What is being offered is free loft insulation and free filling of cavity walls (if your property has them). Any home built since the 1930s SHOULD have cavities that are suitable for filling, and even if the main part of your property is older if you have any extensions they may have cavities that can be filled. You will probably have some loft insulation, but since the recommended depth is now 27cm, for most homes the insulation needs to be topped up.
The good news is that this scheme is COMPLETELY free – even the phone number to enquire about the service is free – and you stand to make considerable savings on energy bills. The figures are necessarily vague as they are based on the assumption that you have no current insulation & you have a gas-heated 3-bed semi, and are an ‘average’ family (whatever one of those is!), but with loft insulation you can save approx. £220 per year, and with cavity wall insulation, £160 per year. Even if you are topping up existing loft insulation you can still save around £50 per annum – all for free! The only down-side to all this is that you will have to clear out the loft…!
So, to get your survey booked, just call The Energy Saving Trust on 0800 512 012, give a few details including your postcode & size of house, and they will pass your info on to a local surveyor who will come out in approx 2-4 weeks to check out your home. The only qualification is that you have to privately own your home or be privately renting, you DO NOT need to be over 70 or in receipt of benefits (which is why the Rectory qualifies – hurrah!).
Be quick! The winter is coming & you want to start saving money ASAP… and the scheme is postcode based & due to move areas next year – get in now & tell your friends & neighbours – this is a time-limited offer…
PS If you are over 60 by the 27th September you qualify for the winter fuel payment. If you are claiming a pension or have had the payment before this SHOULD be sent to you automatically, but if not then you will need to claim it. Worth £250 per household, it is a universal grant & is not means-tested. Contact the winter fuel payment helpline on 08459 15 15 15 if you need more help or information.