New Angus energy efficiency improvement project

We are pleased to announce a new energy efficiency improvement project in partnership with SCARF and two contractors for improvement works in Angus: Qualis Scotland Ltd and Diversity Energy Solutions.

This a pilot project aimed at specific areas in Angus to tackle fuel poverty and energy inefficiency in private sector housing. Households in certain areas of Angus will receive letters inviting them for a free survey of their property to help improve the energy efficiency of the home and reduce energy bills.

The survey will identify what suitable energy efficiency improvements could be made. Throughout the process, the contractors will give advice relating to potential measures and timescales involved. In most cases, the improvement works will be fully funded.

Representatives from the contractors will always carry photo identification and a copy of the letter issued to the household, so remember to request ID badges.

If you receive a letter from one of the contractors, please do not contact us but instead follow the instructions either to proceed with a survey or opt-out. You can contact SCARF or the contractor for further information.

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New crisis fund to help households in fuel poverty

Scarf has partnered with Home Energy Scotland to launch a new emergency hardship fund. The fund aims to help the most vulnerable households heat their homes in these difficult times.

The Scarf Heat Fund will help provide instant access to heat for those most at risk of, or suffering from fuel poverty.

The fund can provide help and support in the form of:

• Plug-in heaters.
• Prepayment cards.
• Access to costs for emergency boiler repairs.

This is not an exhaustive list and each application will be treated on a case-by-case basis with those suffering from fuel poverty given priority.

For more information on how to reduce your energy use while at home you can check out the Scarf website or access free and impartial advice from the Scarf team by speaking to one of our experienced advisors.

 

Call Home Energy Scotland at Scarf on 0808 808 2282 for more information on how to access Scarf’s fund as well as other grants and schemes.

Energy Efficiency Roadshows for Angus Council tenants

Come along to our Energy Efficiency roadshows this week:

Where:          at Forfar                                                          at Brechin

When:           Wednesday 22 January                               Friday 24 January

Venue:           Montrose Road Centre                               The Crickety  

Time:             12.30 – 2pm & 4 – 6pm                                   12.30 – 2pm & 4 – 6pm

Find out how you can save money on heating bills

and reduce your carbon footprint

Calling All Homeowners! Have Your Say on Energy Efficiency!

Calling all homeowners

The Scottish Government is consulting with owner-occupiers about setting minimum energy efficiency standards (EPS) for their homes. The proposal sets out a minimum EPC band C from 2024. to make all Scottish homes warmer, greener and more efficient, and for housing to play a full part in Scotland’s efforts to tackle climate change.

This consultation seeks views on proposals to set a standard for energy efficiency and to make it mandatory for homeowners from 2024 onwards.

The Government wants to know:

• if the standards should be legally binding,
• what the minimum standard should be,
• what help can be made available to help households pay for improvements,
• what the impacts could be.

The consultation will end on 26 March 2020. For more details see the consultation paper and give your views here.

 

 

Warm Home Discount Scheme and Other Energy Efficiency News from SCARF

For the latest news from SCARF see their October newsletter

Amongst the highlights:

Under the scheme, low-income households, or those in receipt of benefits can receive £140 towards their electricity bill and, through the free in-home, in-depth advice service, Home Energy Advice Team (HEAT) can help households with the eligibility criteria and application process.

You can contact the Home Energy Advice Team on Freephone 0808 129 0888, on their website , or on social media on Facebook and Twitter.

For more details on the Warm Home Discount Scheme see the additional leaflet from SCARF

Calling All Private Landlords! Have Your Say on Energy Efficiency!

The Scottish Government is consulting on the minimum energy efficiency standards for the private rented sector.

This is your chance to have your say. The proposed minimum standards will be:

• EPC E for new lets from April 2020, and all properties with a minimum EPC rating E by April 2022
• EPC D for new lets from April 2022, and all properties minimum EPC rating D by April 2025

If your private rented property does not meet EPC band E then you may be required to bring it up to standard within the set timeframe.

You can also find advice and information about private sector housing, such as your rights and responsibilities as a tenant, landlord or homeowner at our new private housing pages.

Big Energy Saving Week events in Angus

This year Big Energy Saving Week starts on Monday 21 January 2019. It is a national campaign to help people cut their energy bills and get all the financial support they are entitled to.

The week focuses on raising public awareness of:

• how to save money on energy costs by switching energy supplier or tariff
• how to access discounts or grants
• how to make homes more energy efficient.

This is the 8th Big Energy Saving Week and is a partnership between Citizens Advice Scotland (CAB), Home Energy Scotland, Citizens Advice and the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy with the support of numerous organisations, charities and companies.

Join one of the CHECK-SWITCH-SAVE events in Angus on Tuesday 22 January :

• at FriockHub, Eastgate, Friockheim DD11 4TG, 9.30am-11.30am

• at Firestation, Scott Street, Brechin DD9 7BQ,  12.30pm-2.30pm

Get Help with Your Energy Bills

We’ve all probably already noticed a chill in the air. It’s the time of year to start thinking of dusting off the thermostat and dreading the heating bill that follows.

However, help is at hand – The Citizens Advice Scotland website gives information about grants and schemes which may help you to make your home more energy efficient. You can also get information about grants that you may be able to get if you are in debt to your energy supplier.