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HOMEOWNERS TAKE
ACTION TO CUT WINTER CHILLS
CHILLY UK homeowners are
taking action after a string of harsh winters; with 208,000 in the
North West fitting extra insulation to their property in the last
year, new research from the Energy Saving Trust has found.
The latest statistics show an incredible 46% of North West homes
still have under-insulated lofts and 885,000 have un-insulated
cavity walls; with millions of UK households still eligible for
free or discounted help to solve their heat-loss problems
Through the Carbon Emission Reduction Target (CERT) scheme, around
four million homes in the UK have taken up grants and offers to pay
for cavity wall or loft insulation since April 2008. Thousands more
could yet take advantage before the CERT scheme ends on 31 December
2012.
It will be superseded by Green Deal, a financing mechanism which
lets householders pay for energy-efficiency improvements using
savings they will make on their energy bills.
Around a third of all the heat lost in an uninsulated home goes
through the walls, with 25% lost through the roof. Lofts can be
insulated with simple mineral wool, while walls can have existing
cavities filled, or have solid insulation fitted to them.
The Energy Saving Trust survey also found that 21% of people in the
UK are "very interested" in fitting insulation to their home.
Under the Green Deal all installers must be certified, so the Energy
Saving Trust is encouraging those in the North West to step up and
get registered to take advantage of the increased interest in
insulation.
An average household could save £175 a year by fitting 270mm of new
insulation to their uninsulated loft – as well as preventing 720kg
of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere. Cavity wall
insulation can save up to £135 and 550kg of carbon dioxide a year.
Stephen Passmore, a housing expert at the Energy Saving Trust,
said:- "It's clear that more and more people are taking
insulation seriously; after all, it can literally stop your money
going up in smoke.
We're encouraged that so many homeowners in the North West have
fitted insulation in the last 12 months, and further heartened that
21% are very interested in following their example. Green Deal
lets householders pay back the cost of energy-saving improvements
over time through their electriCity bill. Anyone performing Green
Deal work must be certified – and the Energy Saving Trust is one
organisation making sure that only trusted tradesmen can operate
under the scheme. Our figures show there is still a huge opportunity
for installers in the North West and across the UK to continue
insulating homes through the Green Deal. With certification, and the
right information showing which homes could benefit from insulation,
installers can maximise the opportunities this initiative brings to
themselves and to householders."
Green Deal enables private firms to offer consumers energy
efficiency improvements to their homes, community spaces and
businesses with no upfront payments. Costs are recouped – as savings
accrue – through a charge in instalments on their energy bills, with
money passed on direct to Green Deal providers by energy companies.
Homeowners wanting more information on insulating their home can
visit:-
energysavingtrust.org.uk/Insulation
or call the Energy Saving Trust's helpline on 0300 123 1234.
Installers interested in working with the Energy Saving Trust should
visit the
website
or contact via
email. |
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Measles case
confirmed at hospital...
A case of measles has been
confirmed at Ormskirk hospital with 3 suspected cases under
investigation at Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust. The
confirmed measles case was a child who attended the accident and
emergency department earlier this month. An adult who had contact
with the child has also had measles symptoms and was treated at
Southport hospital before being discharged home. The Trust saw a
further two suspected cases, 1 adult and 1 child, on Saturday, 24
November 2012. More than 600 cases of measles have been confirmed in
the North West this year, the highest of any English region, with
the outbreak Centred on Merseyside and West Lancashire. It is the
biggest outbreak in the area since the MMR vaccine that protects
against measles, mumps and rubella was introduced in 1988. Dr
Geraldine Boocock, Medical Director of the Trust, said:-
"Measles is an avoidable viral illness that is highly infectious and
spreads easily among people who are not protected by two doses of
MMR vaccine. Although most people will get over measles without too
many problems, a significant number will develop serious
complications including ear infection, diarrhoea, pneumonia or
meningitis. People who suspect they or a family member has measles
should telephone their GP before attending GP surgeries, NHS walk-in
Centres or hospital A&E departments. This allows arrangements to be
made in advance to minimise the measles patients' contact with other
people who may be vulnerable to infection."
The Health Protection Agency also advises:-
► Avoiding contact with others,
particularly pregnant women and infants as they are more vulnerable
to infection and measles is highly infectious.
► Staying away from schools, nurseries and
work places until at least four days after the onset of the rash.
SAFETY ADVICE FOR MOTORISTS
AS the weather gets colder police officers
across Merseyside are again issuing crime prevention advice to
residents to help reduce car crime. At this time of year we see a
number of cars stolen, often when their owners leave the keys in
while they defrost their vehicles or call into a store. Officers are
urging drivers to be aware that opportunist thieves prey on unlocked
cars, left with the engine running and for motorists to do all they
can to keep their cars secure. Supt Kevin Johnson said:-
"Never leave your car unattended with the engine running even
when it's on your drive, which might be tempting during the cold
mornings and when defrosting windows. It only takes a second for a
thief to jump into your car and drive it away. Also, I would like to
remind motorists that it is an offence to leave a car unattended
with the engine running on a road and if it is stolen while the keys
are in the ignition, it's possible that the theft would not be
covered by your insurance."
Drivers should take the following advice to reduce the risk of
becoming a victim of car theft or burglary:-
► Never leave your vehicle
unattended with the engine running.
► Always lock and secure your
vehicle and check windows and sunroof are closed.
► Never leave anything on display in
your vehicle.
► Mobile phones, coats, bags, sat
navs and CDs are all a potential target for thieves take all
valuables with you.
► Ensure all doors and windows are
locked and secured using good quality locks.
► If possible park cars in a secure
garage overnight.
Never leave your car keys on display and near the front door, as
people may try to break into your home to steal them. If you have
any information about a crime in your area please call Merseyside
Police on:- 101 or alternatively call Crimestoppers, in confidence,
on:- 0800 555 111. |
