The Warmburgh Plan is the City of Edinburgh Council’s strategy for improving the energy efficiency of all residential property in the city by around 30% in 10 years (from 1997).

In the Plan, the Council describes how it intends to improve the energy efficiency of not only its own houses, but also owner occupied homes, privately rented homes and those owned by Housing Associations. So to succeed, the Council must involve every householder and landlord in the city.

Everyone should benefit from the Plan, because a more energy efficient home has lower fuel bills, is easier to heat, and has fewer condensation problems.

The Council has set its plan in motion already. It has won funding for a grants scheme called ReWarm for private landlords to install efficient heating systems and insulation, and for a grants scheme to owner occupiers, SMiLE, for a whole range of energy efficiency goods from draught proofing and low-energy light bulbs to solar water heating. More information about grants available can be found on the Lothian and Edinburgh Environmental Partnership’s (LEEP’s) web site: www.leep.org.uk.

Wherever you see the Warmburgh logo, you will find information about grants for energy efficiency measures - keep a look out for it, and keep up-to-date on what grants are available.

The Warmburgh Plan is the City of Edinburgh Council’s response to the Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA) of 1995.

The Warmburgh Plan fits well with other key Council objectives including:

• Working towards a sustainable Edinburgh
• Reducing poverty and disadvantage through the implementation of an affordable warmth strategy
• Developing the local economy
• Promoting a sustainable and healthy environment
• Securing reduction in carbon dioxide emissions under its climate change strategy.

To obtain a copy of the Warmburgh Plan, email warmburgh@leep.org.uk.

To find out more about other related Council activity, see the list of relevant websites below.

HECA stands for the Home Energy Conservation Act (1995), under which all Councils in Scotland were made Energy Conservation Authorities. The Act required each Authority to prepare a report setting out measures that would lead to significant improvements in energy efficiency in residential accommodation in all sectors of the housing stock. The Secretary of State set a broad target of achieving a 30% improvement in energy efficiency in residential accommodation, based on performance of the stock at 1^st April 1997, over a 10 year period.

Councils have to report to the Scottish Executive on progress.

The HECA Unit

The HECA Unit was set up by the City of Edinburgh Council to promote and implement the Warmburgh Plan.

The Unit’s main tasks are:

• To promote energy efficiency in Edinburgh city through awareness raising, education and the provision of information and advice.
• To maximise funding and spending on energy efficiency through direct, indirect and grant expenditure.
• To develop innovative approaches to the delivery of energy efficiency measures and give a city-wide lead on all aspects of residential energy efficiency.
• To monitor progress towards energy efficiency targets.
  

Improving the energy efficiency of homes in Edinburgh will bring a number of benefits:

• Lower fuel bills
• Improved comfort levels
• Reduced carbon dioxide emissions
• Reduced condensation dampness in homes
• New jobs
• Improved health
• A reduction in SO₂ and NOx emissions

The HECA Unit is based within Lothian and Edinburgh Environmental Partnership (LEEP).

In the Housing Department, the Warmburgh contact is Douglas Esslemont, Head of Building Design Services, Housing Department, 23-25 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh.

Energy efficiency grants available

Why not further the Council’s policy and cut your own fuel bills by improving the energy efficiency of your home? There are grants available for:

• Loft, wall and floor insulation
• Draught proofing
• Energy efficient heating systems and controls
• Low-energy light bulbs
• High-efficiency domestic appliances
• Solar water heating systems

And there are new grants being launched regularly.

Whether you own your home or rent it there are likely to be grants available. To find out what you are entitled to, and to be kept up to date on new grants as they are launched, simply complete and return the Home Energy Survey available from the LEEP website www.leep.org.uk.

Leep
Website - www.leep.org.uk

Energy Efficiency Advice Centre
The Advice Centre provides households with advice and recommendations on cost-effective energy efficiency measures via a telephone enquiry line and computerised information system.
Website - www.leep.org.uk/pages/frame_EEAC.html

Home Energy Check
An online DIY Home Energy Survey
Website - www.leep.org.uk/pages/frame_EEAC_HES1.html