“SAVE AROUND £250 OFF YOUR ENERGY BILLS AND GO GREEN FOR FREE” Urges LOcal mp

Nicky Morgan, Member of Parliament for Loughborough, is urging her constituents today to save money from their energy bills and reduce their carbon emissions under a free scheme run by British Gas. This summer, Britain’s largest domestic energy supplier is set to help up to 50,000 of the UK’s most hard-pressed households by offering up to £10 million-worth of free energy assessments and energy efficiency measures. The measures could cut energy bills by around £250 per year for each home.  In addition to making financial savings, the households will also be doing their bit for the planet, cutting their carbon emissions by a total of nearly 10,000 tonnes across the country – the equivalent of nearly 50,000 people travelling to America by jumbo jet. To be eligible for the free makeover, households need to be British Gas customers and either over 70 or on income or disability related benefits. British Gas will be working with charities, such as National Energy Action, the RNIB and Scope to ensure that help is targeted where it is most needed. 

Nicky Morgan MP said:

“The best way for people to cut their energy bills is to use less energy.  The best way to do that while staying warm and keeping the lights on is to make our homes more energy efficient.  There are many people in Loughborough who will benefit from free energy efficiency measures and, during these financially difficult times, save money.”

Maria Wardrobe, Director of Communications at the NEA, said:

"This scheme is an excellent opportunity for vulnerable people to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.  It will help cut energy bills and at the same time contribute to carbon saving."

Phil Bentley, Managing Director of British Gas, said:

“Improving energy efficiency in our homes is the quickest way to cut our bills and lower carbon emissions.  And this initiative will particularly help our most vulnerable and hard-pressed families. By targeting free energy assessments and other measures at those who need it most, we can make a real difference to the quality of their lives and do our bit for the planet at the same time.”

The British Gas in-home energy assessment is a full energy efficiency survey of the home.  All households will receive a personalised and printed energy assessment, which will include behavioural, energy efficiency and money-saving advice as well as a free insulation survey.  Eligible households will also receive free insulation and other products, such as electricity monitors and standby savers. Energy efficiency is the quickest and easiest way to save money on energy bills.  Simple measures such as loft insulation can save £150 per year.  Many homes do not have the basics in place with 5.5 million homes, more than a fifth, in the lowest two bands of energy performance and nearly 13 million lofts without the recommended depth of insulation. 

21st July 2010