Green Deal gives opportunity for people to cut their energy bills

Shropshire and The Marches is at the forefront of a new scheme to encourage residents to save energy and money by signing up to the “Green Deal”.

The Green Deal is aimed at helping homeowners or tenants make energy-saving home improvements, like fitting insulation or replacing an old boiler, with the cost being offset against the savings made.

Shropshire, Herefordshire and Telford & Wrekin councils have been jointly awarded £450,000 by the Department of Energy and Climate Change to drive forward the scheme in The Marches area.

The funding will go towards a range of work, including 1,310 free Green Deal assessments for local people (when an expert visits your home to assess how you can save energy), establishing six Green Deal show homes and running an information road show, and helping people club together to get the best possible deal on their utility bills.

As part of the scheme, private landlords have the opportunity to apply for a number of free green deal assessments, and Shropshire Council is holding an open evening on Thursday 31 January 2013, in the Council Chamber at Shirehall, starting at 7pm.

Tim Baldwin, of Keep Shropshire Warm, will give a presentation to explain the scheme in more detail, followed by a question and answers session.  There will also be other presenters on the evening talking about energy-related subjects.

On the evening there will be a number of energy efficiency organisations attending with display stands to share information and advise about the Green Deal and other initiatives.

To book a place, contact Shropshire Council’s private sector housing team on 01743 251814, or email privatesectorhousing@shropshire.gov.uk.

Councillor Cecilia Motley, Cabinet member for sustainability, said:

“I would encourage people to embrace this opportunity, as the Green Deal is a great way of improving your home and reducing your energy costs.  We are delighted to be able to give the scheme a boost by offering free Green Deal assessments, and we’ll be getting out and about to spread the word over the coming weeks and months.”

For more information about the Green Deal, click here.