Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Project bright sparks scoop energy award
An improvement programme for council houses across North Lanarkshire has been recognised at Scotland’s energy efficiency awards.
The scheme by the local authority and contractor Pro-cast includes insulating lofts and cavity and extension walls, plus roofing and rendering to save tenants money on bills; while renewable technologies are being used including installing solar panels to further improve energy efficiency.
It was named large-scale project of the year at the recent ceremony – and the authority is now working on further innovations to help reduce fuel poverty and benefit the environment as part of the four-year, £35m project.
North Lanarkshire is piloting single-room heat recovery fans in homes in the Pather area of Wishaw, which save energy by fresh and ventilated air which has been pre-warmed by extracting and using heat from stale air.
Council officials say: “It’s hoped that, if successful, the scheme will be rolled out to all our properties in the future.”
The authority – which also works with contractors Ailsa and GMG on the efficiency project – is also looking into the option of battery units which help store energy during summer for heating homes in the winter months.
Service delivery manager Gerry Mcwilliams told the Advertiser: “We’re delighted that the rollout of our excellent energy efficiency measures are recognised at this level, which shows we’re leading the way in putting our environment and local communities first.
“Our projects not only help tenants heat their homes but are also helping reduce fuel poverty in North Lanarkshire; and the measures we’re taking also go a long way to helping us meet Scottish Government standards and contribute to making Scotland carbon-free.
“We’re committed to using the latest technology and are set to invest a further £63m over the next five years in a range of measures putting our environment and local communities first.”
Kirstie Adams of Pro-cast told us: “We have a long and established working relationship with the council and by working together, homes are now being retrofitted to the highest standards to include insulation, solar panels and heat recovery ventilation. More recently we’ve identified the potential for installing battery storage units to complement solar panels, which has the potential to make these homes self-sufficient in the production, storage and usage of energy.
“[This would] potentially reduce energy bills and assist the council and the Scottish Government to hit targets of net zero carbon.”