Makeover means it’s home sweet home for Chaanach

OAP’s home is now much more energy efficient

A cosy winter is being enjoyed by people in hundreds of homes that have been given a makeover.

Lochfield resident Chaanach Connor lives in a property that was bought by her son 15 years ago.

It has been transformed thanks to a new roof, guttering and external wall insulation.

It is one of 445 Renfrewshire homes this year to benefit from the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland: Area Based Scheme (HEEPS ABS).

Chaanach, 75, previously lived in England and Canada and said: “I love it, I’m so much cosier and the house retains the heat really well.

“I used to be freezing here even with the heating right up and I had an electric heater on all day.

“Now, I put my heating on first thing in the morning and again before bed and it’s lovely. I’m hoping it will reduce the bills and it’s definitely made it a more comfortable place to live.

“It also looks great, what a difference to the outside of the building – my only problem now is I notice any slight speck of dirt.”

This year, the council invested more than £4million, including HEEPS ABS and Eco funding, enabling improvements to entire housing blocks with a mix of private owners and council tenants throughout Renfrewshire.

Housing staff use thermal imaging to identify each building’s heat loss, and the package also includes a home energy audit to see where savings can be made on bills.

Happily retired, having previously worked in a bookshop, a jewellers and even in an Alberta cafe serving tattie scones, Chaanach now enjoys completing jigsaws, reading and gardening and is looking forward to many more years in Lochfield.

She added: “With all the works in Lochfield, it’s given us all more pride in the area, the houses all look tidy and well-loved. We certainly couldn’t have afforded the works without the grant support. We discussed it as a family and with our neighbours and I’m delighted with the end result.”

The programme adds to more than £86million being invested over the next three years to improve existing council houses in Renfrewshire and build more high-quality affordable homes for social rent and low-cost ownership.

Councillor Marie McGurk, Renfrewshire Council’s Convener of Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, said: “It’s great to hear that Mrs Connor is enjoying the results of these energy efficiency works, which are estimated to help residents save around 25 per cent on their heating bills and bring vital benefits to the local environment too by reducing our carbon footprint.

“Everyone should enjoy warm, energy efficient homes, and our housing team have secured millions in HEEPS funding, directing this to the Renfrewshire residents who need it most.

“We continue to invest in improving our existing housing stock while, at the same time, support the construction of newbuild properties as we create homes to suit all needs for families to grow and people to prosper.”

All Renfrewshire residents can also get help managing their fuel bills by calling the free, confidential and impartial Advice Renfrewshire on 0808 164 2922.

I’m hoping it will reduce the bills and it’s definitely made it a more comfortable place to live