Published on:
17
July 2012
Clackmannanshire residents are to benefit from a windfall of central heating grants worth £3.4 million.
And the first resident to benefit from the new scheme has welcomed her brand new heating system with open arms.
Mrs Helen Dickson, of Ashley Terrace, Alloa, was full of praise for the work done in installing her new system and has told the rest of Clackmannanshire residents they can look forward to better heating and cheaper bills.
The council have sourced and maximised the CESP (Community Energy Savings Programme) grant funding to provide an additional 697 central heating systems before December this year.
This work has been tendered and the first new central heating systems began installation in Clackmannanshire on 18th June 2012. The work is being carried out on the Council's behalf by contractors James Frew Limited and P.H. Jones.
The contractor contacted Mrs Dickson and arranged a home survey for the boiler/radiator positioning, before carrying out the work.
Mrs Dickson said: "I've stayed in this house over 23 years and I like my heating. I'm looking forward to the bills being cut with this new system. It looks marvellous, and I will certainly feel the benefit of it in the winter.
"All the work was done in one day. You can't look a gift horse in the mouth and it is a marvellous thing for the people of Clackmannanshire."
The work will upgrade existing "G " rated gas boilers and replace them with a more energy efficient "A " Rated boiler and a brand new replacement central heating system.
Part of the contract also includes replacing Electric Central Heating Systems within the CESP areas and replacing with Gas "A" rated combi boiler systems .
As part of the programme, the heating contractors will also top up loft insulation levels further improving the energy efficiency of tenants homes .
Housing Committee Convenor, Councillor Les Sharp, said: "Clackmannanshire tenants will be able to benefit from massive savings of up to 25% on their annual fuel bills by switching to the more energy efficient central heating system.
"We are delighted to have obtained this grant and it is part of our commitment to the people of Clackmannanshire to help them alleviate rising fuel costs."
so it is important that tenants included in this programme co-oporate with the council and heating contractors to allow this work to proceed as quickly as possible.
The Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP) has been created as part of the governments Home Energy Saving Programme . The work has to be finished by 30th November,
CESP so far has contributed to the Governments Fuel Poverty Strategy through delivering in geographical selected areas. This is why only certain streets and area in Clackmannanshire qualify for this grant funding .
The Council has worked in partnership with British Gas in delivering heating , insulation and wall upgrades in the Alloa Park estate in Bowmar and has now engaged with Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) to deliver further central heating and insulation measures to these 697 properties .
The second stage of the programme will also be carried out by SSE who will work on an external wall upgrade to the "No - fines " houses in Carseview, Tullibody.
Funding opportunity has just been made available to the council and normal consultation period with tenants prior to works commencing has been limited due to the nature of the grant offer.