Homeowners in Scotland will be able to borrow up to £10,000 interest free in order to improve energy efficiency.

The Scottish government has made £2m available for measures such as better insulation, more efficient boilers, double glazing or small renewable energy systems.

The loans are part of the Energy Efficiency Action Plan, aimed at helping meet a target of cutting C02 emissions by 42% by 2020.

Ministers estimate that on average, it will cost each household £7,000 to carry out energy efficient home improvements like fitting double glazing or more efficient boilers.

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth John Swinney said:"Energy efficiency is a key part of our economic recovery programme and our climate change ambitions.”

"A waste of energy is a waste of money and with high fuel prices and the need to cut emissions, we must all take steps to cut energy use - in our homes, in the transport we use, in businesses and across the public sector.”

"Improving household energy efficiency to meet our 2020 Climate Change Act targets could cost an average of £7,000 on energy efficient home improvements such as fitting double glazing.”

"So the new scheme will provide practical measures that can make the quickest impacts - interest free loans to upgrade insulation, replace inefficient boilers, install double glazing or small scale renewables."

The announcement comes on top of a range of existing government schemes aimed at helping people cut their bills and transform the way they use energy.

Mr Swinney said: "Our consultation on the Energy Efficiency Action Plan takes a broad view of how energy is used and how its use could be reduced or improved, including potential regulation.

"This consultation is wide ranging and we need everyone to consider the action they can take to support changes. In the meantime, anyone can contact their local Energy Saving Scotland Advice Centre to get independent advice on how to stop wasting energy."
 

Author:  Thomas Davies

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