West Lancashire Borough Council tenants in Uppingham, Skelmersdale, are reaping the benefits of new gas heating being installed in their homes.
The Uppingham estate previously didn’t have a gas connection, leaving tenants in the 108 flats reliant on expensive electric heating. Gas has now been piped to the estate and the homes have had new energy efficient boilers and modern radiators fitted to replace the old inefficient storage heaters. The scheme has cost about £409,000.
As gas can be up to two thirds cheaper than electricity, tenants should see significant savings on their energy bills. Now the residents have gas as well as electricity they will also be able to benefit from a duel fuel discount, provided they receive both energy sources from the same supplier.
Councillor Val Hopley, portfolio holder for Landlord Services, said: “We are delighted this scheme has been completed, as it will provide affordable warmth for our tenants and reduce fuel poverty.”
Councillor Adrian Owens, portfolio holder for Housing (Finance), Regeneration, and Estates, said: “This is just one of the many ways the lives of our tenants are being improved by our £65 million five-year investment plans for our housing stock.
“We are continuing with our large-scale schemes to replace kitchens and bathrooms in a great many of our homes. We are also looking at the possibility of doing projects to improve heating systems in other estates.”
The new gas boilers in the Uppingham flats provide the tenants with heat on demand as and when they want it. This was often not possible with the old electric storage heaters which charge overnight.
In comparison to electric, gas central heating is less carbon intensive and better for the environment. This helps the Council reduce its carbon footprint and make a contribution towards tackling climate change.
By participating in the Council’s People Power collective energy switching scheme, which is currently open for registration until 17 February 2014, tenants and residents can ensure they are getting a good price for their energy. More information regarding the People Power energy switching scheme can be found at the People Power website (external link).
The Council’s investment scheme in its housing stock is called the Regenerating Homes Programme, and it involves a host of other projects. For example, by the end of the 2013/14 financial year the Council expects to have installed new kitchens in approximately 1,300 homes and new bathrooms in between 850 and 900 homes. More tenants will have new kitchens and bathrooms in the coming years.