‘Every Scottish home to be energy efficient by 2020’

All households in Scotland are to have loft and cavity wall insulation and every home gas central heating will have an efficient boiler with appropriate controls by 2020. That’s the […]

All households in Scotland are to have loft and cavity wall insulation and every home gas central heating will have an efficient boiler with appropriate controls by 2020.

That’s the aim set out by the Scottish Government in its new ‘Sustainable Housing Strategy’ in a bid to tackle fuel poverty and reduce the nation’s carbon footprint. It invested almost £150 million in fuel poverty and energy efficiency programmes between 2009 and 2012.

Last month new figures revealed more than one in five households in Scotland received help to cut their gas and electricity bills since 2008 through free or subsidised cavity wall or loft insulation.

Housing Minister Margaret Burgess said: “It is my belief that everyone should live in a safe warm home that doesn’t cost the earth to heat. Rising energy bills remain a huge concern for this Government. That is why over 2013/14 we are investing £79 million to help people to keep their energy bills down. This funding will see thousands of homes across Scotland receive new measures like solid wall insulation and better heating systems.

“Independence is the only way to guarantee more concerted action, focused on Scotland’s specific advantages – like our vast energy resources – to raise more people out fuel poverty and improve the efficiency of our homes.”

New research by DECC last week claimed installing energy efficiency measures in homes could boost property prices by £16,000.

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