Fuel bill help for households
West Lothian Council is making progress in its efforts to address fuel poverty by introducing a number of ways to cut fuel bills.
Fuel poverty happens when a household cannot afford to heat their home to an adequate level.
With the knock on effect that households are often forced to choose between heating and other household essentials.
Executive councillor for services for the community, George Paul said: “If a household is spending more than 10 per cent of income on heating then they will be classed as being in fuel poverty.
“If they spend more than 20 per cent of their household income on heating their home then they will be classed as being in extreme fuel poverty.
“Many households struggle but through our investment programme, combined with support from partners, the council will continue to deliver energy efficiency upgrades to tenants and residents to help them reduce their energy costs.”
A report to the council’s Service for the Community Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel highlighted that despite the council implementing a number of measures to address the issue; it is restricted in what it can do due to having little control over the factors driving fuel poverty, such as the rising cost of fuel.
To combat the issue, the council has developed a number of measures to address fuel poverty.
All council properties in West Lothian where there is no mains gas supply are being upgraded with an Air Source Heat Pump central heating system to replace electric heating systems.
This will reduce heating costs in areas such as Breich, Westfield, Newton, West Mains Cottages West Calder and Wilkieston. The pumps were purchased from Mitsubishi Electric, who are based locally in Livingston.
The pumps installations are being carried out by BRB Ltd who are Glasgow based and have extensive experience carrying out similar works for other local authorities.
Brian Buchanan from BRB Contractors said: “BRB are delighted to be involved in this project working together with West Lothian Council. From our experience, Air source heat pumps are a great solution for housing associations, councils and tenants to tackle fuel poverty.”
Solar Panels are also being used in areas without access to a main gas network including; Westfield, Newton, Wilkieston, Breich and Ballencrief Toll. The likelihood of fuel poverty in these areas is increased due to alternatives such as oil, electricity and solid fuels being more expensive than gas. The council has installed solar panels to some council properties in Newton, Wilkieston and Breich and further properties in Westfield due to have panels installed later this year. The solar panels can help save tenants an average of £150 per year.
The council has also made significant improvement through the national Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing ( EESSH) which is aimed at driving improvement in the social housing sector.
The council will continue to help tenant reduce energy costs