New Drive To Winter-Proof Homes

Thousands of people are to get free energy saver packs to lower fuel bills.

The free 'energy saving' gadgets worth nearly £50 are being offered as part as a major new drive by the Scottish Government to help households lower their fuel bills during winter.

The devices will be on offer from the Scottish Government's new one stop shop on home energy - Home Energy Scotland.

A digital electricity monitor and a stand-by plug will be sent out to all callers helping households to save, on average, £47 pounds a year on fuel bills and CO2 that would fill 361 wheelie bins.

A Scotland-wide campaign will run, from today, promoting the range of help being offered through the Home Energy Hotline including free or discounted insulation, central heating, help to switch to cheaper tariffs and help to ensure people are claiming their full pension and benefit support.


Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil said: "Offering households help to cut fuel bills is vital, especially in the current climate.

"These free energy saving devices and the wide range of other help on offer will help households keep the heat in and keep more money in their pockets.

"If we have a winter like last winter this help will be more important than ever."

Douglas Sinclair, Chair of Consumer Focus Scotland, commented: "There is a huge variety of advice and support available to help people save money on their energy, but we know consumers can sometimes find it difficult to access the help that's right for them.

"This new one stop shop for home energy advice will make it easier and quicker to get the right information and support on potential energy savings.

"Every household should consider having a home energy check now to ensure they have done everything possible to be ready for winter and make savings on their fuel bills."

(GK/KMcA)