Energy saving initiatives earn Brighton and Hove £345K payback

External wall insulation that will reduce tenants’ energy bills and cut harmful CO2 emissions has delivered a much-needed £345,000 boost that will be ring-fenced for further sustainability measures.

 

Leaseholders will also receive savings for the cost of the insulation works on a pro rata basis.

 

Energy firm Centrica, which owns British Gas, has ‘paid back’ the money under the Government’s ECO Carbon Saving Community Obligation. This means that energy saving measures by council’s can be rewarded by the energy companies.

 

Brighton & Hove City Council officers worked to tight deadlines in order to complete the successful claim.

 

The buildings receiving this were Kingfisher Court in north Whitehawk and Hereford Court in Kemp Town – the two tower blocks that had the relevant external wall insulation.  The breakdown was:

Kingfisher - £117,997

Hereford - £227,631

 

Cllr Bill Randall, chair of the housing committee, said:

“We are reducing harmful CO2 emissions that contribute to climate change and also tackling inequality by reducing tenant’s energy bills.

“This work is part of our One Planet Living commitments and I want to thank council officers who worked to tight deadlines on complex applications to secure this money.

“Not only does insulating these properties make sound financial sense because reducing the need for heating extends the lives of these buildings, more importantly it helps us tackle fuel poverty which improves tenants’ well-being. This also creates much-needed jobs.”

 

Steve Gapik, from British Gas, commented:

“We are very pleased to be working with Brighton & Hove City Council and we are certain that this project will make a real difference for the residents. “Through this funding we are helping people to live in a comfortable, warm environment whilst keeping their energy bills down.”

 

Ends.

 

Notes to editors:

 

Homes are the most significant source of carbon dioxide in the city producing 42% of Brighton & Hove's measured carbon footprint, or 514,000 tonnes annually, compared to 31% nationally. Domestic CO2 emissions in the city (including council homes) account for around 57% of the city’s total emissions from buildings
National and local research has established the relationship between poor housing and poor health outcomes, in particular fuel poverty and poor thermal comfort.
Brighton & Hove was the world’s first designated One Planet City in May last year when the city’s Sustainability Action Plan received independent accreditation from BioRegional. This plan, which promotes energy saving measures such as more walking and cycling in the city as well as better insulated homes, aims to help residents to live well within a fairer share of the earth’s resources