Home energy plans mean cheaper bills in Edinburgh South

11.00.00am GMT Thu 26th Feb 2009

Plans by the Liberal Democrats to massively increase the energy efficiency of all homes will lead to big savings in energy bills, say Liberal Democrats in Edinburgh South.

In a campaign email to local residents, local Liberal Democrat Westminster Spokesperson Fred Mackintosh has backed the plans to raise the standard of home energy efficiency.

"Poor energy efficiency and insulation causes a huge number of people to waste money on heating bills as well as causing environmental damage" says Fred Mackintosh "By cutting energy waste, we are also reducing the damage we do to the environment. It's a win-win situation: lower fuel bills and fewer emissions that are leading to climate change that has given us extreme weather."

The Liberal Democrats want to bring home energy efficiency to the highest level possible in a bid to reduce carbon emissions as well as the cost of heating bills.

With the latest official figures showing that 27% of the UK's CO2 emissions are produced from the heat, light and power used in our homes, it's hugely important to act now. Cutting greenhouse gases produced by homes by 60% would reduce CO2 emissions by more than if all the cars were taken off the roads. But over the last 12 years Labour have failed to deliver.

Fred Mackintosh believes this drastic reduction in CO2 emissions is achievable - supporting the Liberal Democrats' home energy plan by saying "this is a great idea for helping people to cut their energy bills and help us save the planet." Under The Liberal Democrats' plan, energy companies will be required to use some of the £9 billion profit they have made from emissions trading to insulate the homes of the poorest residents.

They will also set up a National Green Loans scheme which will pay for a complete overhaul of the energy efficiency of people's homes. Repayments will be added to energy bills with the loan paid off from the savings in energy use. Loan repayments will not be allowed to be more than the savings.

Whilst many of these measures are reliant on Government action the Liberal Democrats are encouraging individuals to act now. Local people can obtain advice from Energy Action Scotland. The charity, working for warm dry homes, offers suggestions about the easiest, most inexpensive ways to save energy - advocating draft proofing and using appliances in a more economical way. The Energy Saving Scotland advice centre is contactable on freephone 0800 512 012.

Related Link:

Energy Action Scotland.