Bid to stamp out fuel poverty in Carmarthenshire
A major drive is underway to stamp out fuel poverty in Carmarthenshire.
Housing chiefs want to tackle the problem and help residents who are hardest hit by rising energy prices.
Thousands of people in the county are suffering health and financial difficulties because of high heating costs.
Officers at Carmarthenshire County Council are working to improve the situation and have made significant progress in recent years.
A huge £3 million has been has been saved in fuel bills since the authority’s Affordable Warmth Strategy was first launched in 2005.
Energy efficiency measures have been introduced in council homes as part of the Carmarthenshire Homes Standard.
A Carmarthenshire Home Energy Service has been launched and a dedicated energy efficiency advisor has been appointed to help residents.
Advice is also given on efficient heating systems, home insulation and maximising benefit uptake.
Now the council wants to build on those successes and reduce fuel poverty even further.
Awareness raising events and roadshows will be held and targeted campaigns will be staged in areas hardest hit by fuel poverty.
Grant funding will be looked at to provide energy improvements and the Energy Advice Pack will be regularly updated.
Partnership work will be carried out with insulation companies and energy providers.
Officers say the moves will help improve the health and well being of people, and increase energy efficiency.
The council’s Head of Housing Services Robin Staines said: “A great deal of work has been carried out to improve the energy efficiency of homes in Carmarthenshire and reduce fuel poverty.
“Our work has given us a clear understanding of the issues and opportunities, as well as what we need to do to move forward with this important work.
“An action plan is being developed to continue improving on the work which has already been started.
“These improvements will have an impact on Carmarthenshire’s carbon use and a positive impact on the health and well being of people in the county.”
Fuel poverty means that a household has to spend more than 10 per cent of its income on fuel.
The problem is on the rise across Wales, with an estimated 25 per cent of households affected.
It leads to health problems including respiratory conditions, and it is estimated that is causes more than 1,500 winter deaths in Wales every year, with the elderly at greatest risk.
Living in poverty can also lead to depression and anxiety, and high fuel costs mean households have less money to spend on essentials like food, which in turn has an adverse effect on health.
Housing Executive Board Member cllr Hugh Evans said: “The link between poor housing and health is well documented.
“Many people develop or experience poor health because they are unable to hear their homes adequately.
“By seeking to improve energy efficiency in people’s homes and move people out of fuel poverty, we hope to have a direct impact on the health of people living in Carmarthenshire.
Housing chiefs want to tackle the problem and help residents who are hardest hit by rising energy prices.
Thousands of people in the county are suffering health and financial difficulties because of high heating costs.
Officers at Carmarthenshire County Council are working to improve the situation and have made significant progress in recent years.
A huge £3 million has been has been saved in fuel bills since the authority’s Affordable Warmth Strategy was first launched in 2005.
Energy efficiency measures have been introduced in council homes as part of the Carmarthenshire Homes Standard.
A Carmarthenshire Home Energy Service has been launched and a dedicated energy efficiency advisor has been appointed to help residents.
Advice is also given on efficient heating systems, home insulation and maximising benefit uptake.
Now the council wants to build on those successes and reduce fuel poverty even further.
Awareness raising events and roadshows will be held and targeted campaigns will be staged in areas hardest hit by fuel poverty.
Grant funding will be looked at to provide energy improvements and the Energy Advice Pack will be regularly updated.
Partnership work will be carried out with insulation companies and energy providers.
Officers say the moves will help improve the health and well being of people, and increase energy efficiency.
The council’s Head of Housing Services Robin Staines said: “A great deal of work has been carried out to improve the energy efficiency of homes in Carmarthenshire and reduce fuel poverty.
“Our work has given us a clear understanding of the issues and opportunities, as well as what we need to do to move forward with this important work.
“An action plan is being developed to continue improving on the work which has already been started.
“These improvements will have an impact on Carmarthenshire’s carbon use and a positive impact on the health and well being of people in the county.”
Fuel poverty means that a household has to spend more than 10 per cent of its income on fuel.
The problem is on the rise across Wales, with an estimated 25 per cent of households affected.
It leads to health problems including respiratory conditions, and it is estimated that is causes more than 1,500 winter deaths in Wales every year, with the elderly at greatest risk.
Living in poverty can also lead to depression and anxiety, and high fuel costs mean households have less money to spend on essentials like food, which in turn has an adverse effect on health.
Housing Executive Board Member cllr Hugh Evans said: “The link between poor housing and health is well documented.
“Many people develop or experience poor health because they are unable to hear their homes adequately.
“By seeking to improve energy efficiency in people’s homes and move people out of fuel poverty, we hope to have a direct impact on the health of people living in Carmarthenshire.
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