08/10/2014
Bristol City Council has launched a new multi-million pound initiative designed to make homes across the city warmer and healthier places to live.
Warm Up Bristol is one of the most ambitious energy efficiency schemes in the country, with a target to provide 30,000 home improvement measures over the next four years.
Run by the council’s dedicated Energy Service, which has secured government funding to deliver the initiative, Warm Up Bristol is part of a city-wide drive to reduce energy use.
Bristol has some of the oldest and most inefficient houses in the UK and a huge range of measures are available under the scheme. These include solid and cavity wall and loft insulation, double glazing and draught proofing, plus new boilers and renewable energy systems.
Mayor of Bristol, George Ferguson, said: “Warm Up Bristol gives a huge opportunity for us to address householders’ energy needs and costs. We are working with local communities with the ambition to engage residents right across the city. Real change comes from the community and I’d like to personally encourage all to grasp the nettle.
“This is a cause that is central to our Green Capital status and will lay a vital part of the foundations for Bristol to be the most sustainable city in years to come.”
Amber Rudd, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Energy and Climate Change, added: “With Bristol Green Deal communities and more money announced for the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund, people in Bristol have lots of options to make their homes more energy efficient.
“It makes sense to help more families install energy saving improvements now, so that they see the benefits of lower bills and a warmer home for years to come.”
Warm Up Bristol has something for everyone. The council is working with community partners such as Bristol Energy Network and Easton Energy Group to engage local residents and help them to make their homes warmer and cheaper to heat.
A cluster of houses on Johnsons Road, Stepney Road and Stepney Walk in Easton have already benefitted from external wall insulation and people are encouraged to visit the demonstrator streets to see the finished result.
Bristol City Council launched the website www.warmupbristol.com where people can find out how they could benefit from the scheme.
Community groups can earn referral fees as part of the project if you would like to refer your “Warm Up Bristol” application to support your local community group in your area please mention one of the following referal codes:
· BEN000 Bristol Energy Network
· BEN001 Easton Energy Group
· BEN002 Totterdown Energy
· BEN003 Hillfields Energy
· BEN004 Bristol Friends of the Earth
· BEN005 Bristol Energy Cooperative
· BEN006 Bristol Power Coop
If you would like your community group/ energy group to get involved please contact Bristol.Energy.Network@gmail.com