Switched on to energy saving (From Barry And District News)

Switched on to energy saving

A BARRY woman 'saw the light' when she got £2,000 of home improvements - and now she wants to tell others how they can benefit.

Dorothy Giltinan, of Powis View, has had wall and loft insulation fitted along with draft excluders and low energy light bulbs thanks to the Here To Help scheme.

The scheme was initiated by British Gas in partnership with Hafod Housing and targeted low-income households that would benefit from energy-efficient home improvements.

Speaking to the News, Mrs Giltinan said: "We had letters through the post from Hafod Housing.

They sent papers to us which we filled in and it just carried on from there. I started having light bulbs through the post."

She said: "A man came to see me and asked me a few questions, checked around the building and said it needed new loft insulation, then he mentioned about cavity wall insulation and draft proofing on the doors which I've never had before.

He asked me about the age of fridges and washing machines.

"I'm really pleased because these flats are very warm in the summer but very cold in the winter.

British Gas has told me it will be a lot warmer in the winter and a lot more economical and energy efficient.

You work all your life and it's nice to get something back."

A British Gas spokesman said: "Hafod look at the property stock and focus on properties that were built before the 1990s because they are less likely to have the insulation than homes built later.

"A trained surveyor goes along and evaluates the property and issues whatever work is required to make the home energy efficient.

Homes that are due for improvements can expect work to commence from October 27."

Last week we reported that 95 homes across Barry had been selected through the scheme, which was launched in a bid to tackle household poverty.