Caerphilly County Borough Council has been awarded £2.5 million Arbed Funding from the Welsh Government to help homeowners become more energy efficient.
Arbed is a Welsh Government initiative introduced in 2009 to “bring social, environmental and economy benefits to Wales”.
Work has started in Fochriw, where 300 homeowners will benefit from a variety of energy-saving upgrades such as external cladding, ventilation, wall insulation, gas condensing boilers and voltage optimisers.
Cllr Gerald Jones, deputy leader and cabinet member for housing, said: “We are determined to tackle fuel poverty and this scheme is having a real impact on communities across the county borough by ensuring homes are more energy efficient. I am delighted to have had the opportunity to visit householders who are now enjoying warm houses which are easier to heat thanks to more manageable fuel bills following improvement works.”
Resident Christine Porter, of Gilfach, had new external wall insulation work at her home.
She said: “It has made a big difference. I used to really feel the cold, in the bedroom especially, but now it is nice and warm.”
A further bid for Arbed funding has also been provisionally accepted for energy efficient upgrades of private dwellings at Hollybush.
Caerphilly has successfully attracted funding in excess of £5m from the Welsh Government and energy suppliers over the last twelve months to support improvements of council owned and privately owned housing within the borough.
More than £4m has been spent on a Community Energy Saving Programme with a total of 724 council owned properties and 479 privately owned properties benefiting from these energy efficiency measures.
This is what money should be spent on. Energy efficiency can help us all, including the planet.