With Energy Saving Week taking place between 19th -25th of October Cardiff Council along with Warm Wales are reminding people of the importance of insulating their homes properly and are calling on residents to find out if they could benefit from the Community Warmth Scheme.
The Community Warmth Scheme aims to reduce fuel poverty and keep vulnerable areas of Cardiff warm. The scheme is open to both privately owned and rented properties within Community First areas in Cardiff.
Cardiff Council has helped Warm Wales develop the groundbreaking scheme’s initial setup and the company will now manage the programme, with substantial funding provided by the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT).
Loft, cavity wall insulation, guidance and opportunities to increase energy efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide emissions are just some of the measures that are offered following assessment.
The scheme which launched back in May has proved very successful with many already benefiting, including pensioner Mrs Rees from Butetown, who was visited in her home and following an assessment received cavity wall and loft insulation free of charge through the Community Warmth Scheme.
Mrs Rees, said: “I am delighted by the work carried out by the Community Warmth Scheme, the improvements will really help me to keep warm and it’s great that the work has been completed ready for the winter ahead.”
As well as the benefit to residents like Mrs Rees the scheme has also helped to create dozens of jobs and contracts for Cardiff firms, with local assessors and installers already benefiting.
Executive Member for Housing, Cllr Judith Woodman, said:” It’s very important that homes are well insulated, an insulated home not only results in people being warm but also helps to save energy.
“The council is committed to tackling fuel poverty and the Community Warmth Scheme is one of the measures we are using as part of our Affordable Warmth Strategy.
“In a modern society no one should have to decide between food and warmth and the work carried out by the Community Warmth Scheme is going a long way to eradicate fuel poverty.”
Crispin Jones of Warm Wales said:
“Working within the Community, offering assistance to everybody is our core aim. Fuel poverty affects hundreds of thousands of people across Wales and thousands in Cardiff alone. Our assessors collect very basic details from householders, which enables us to provide free insulation and heating measures to people across the whole community”.
Saving money on fuel bills is something we all need to do these days. Community Warmth Cardiff offers real help to the most vulnerable people in our community, without ignoring everybody else.”
