Free insulation will help slash fuel bills in Ayr

Aug 8 2008

ENERGY chiefs have pumped £100,000 into reducing fuel bills in the Lochside area of Ayr.

They offered residents free insulation in their homes in a bid to slash the cost of heating.

The Lochside Community Energy Project was launched this spring and has been warmly welcomed by residents keen to save cash.

Henry Hill was thrilled to have cavity wall insulation installed in his home.

He said: “Anything that’s going free I’ll take it.

“The house will be warmer and I won’t need to put so much coal on the fire.”

The project is managed by a team at the Energy Agency with funding from the Scottish Power Energy People Trust.

And on average residents can expect to save around £200 a year on heating bills if they take up the free offer.

Project manager Michael Carr said: “We are delighted that 70 per cent of the households we have surveyed are able to benefit from the free insulation on offer and reduce their fuel bills.

“However, despite our best efforts, we have been unable to survey almost half of the households in Lochside.

“The assessment state of the Community Energy Project is drawing to a close and I would urge householders in Lochside, who have not yet been surveyed, to call me.”

And Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock MP Sandra Osborne added: “This is a difficult time for households facing rising fuel bills and I would encourage anyone in Lochside who thinks they may be able to benefit from the free insulation and Energy Agency advice on offer to call them.”

You can contact Michael on 01292 521896.