Potential to save cash on heating
Public meeting on proposed advice service
Rattray residents could be set to benefit from a new heat and energy advice service that could save them money while simultaneously reducing the area’s carbon footprint.
The idea has come from the Climate Cafe in Blairgowrie, a new group that meets every few weeks in the Wellmeadow Cafe and is involved with other initiatives such as the proposed new cycle routes between Blairgowrie, Alyth and Coupar Angus.
Members of the Climate Cafe recently heard from Pauline Cropper, who was a home energy adviser with the Energy Saving Coupar Angus initiative – a 14-month-long project that provided advice to local residents to help them reduce both their fuel bills and carbon emissions at the same time.
Len Seal from the Climate Cafe explained: “Home energy efficiency is one of the main areas that can make a real difference to reducing carbon emissions.
“We have therefore decided to apply for funding from the Climate Challenge Fund for a year-long Home Energy Advice Team (HEAT) project for Rattray that would get under way in April next year.”
Len continued: “There would be several aspects to the project, including offering to go into people’s homes and carry out free energy efficiency assessments.
“This would entail looking at the fabric of the building such as insulation and double glazing for example, as well as activities such as travel and what temperature the heating is set at, and looking at how behavioural changes can save people money.
“We would also like to raise awareness of the sort of things people can do in the long run to make a difference such as using smart metres, and of potential money and energy saving schemes.”
Len has organised an informal public meeting at the Community Connect building in Rattray for next Tuesday, November 29 at 7pm for people to find out more about the proposed project and to put forward their suggestions for how it could have a positive money and energy saving impact.
Everyone is welcome to head along.