Flooded Homes in Cumbria to be Helped by £100K Energy Efficiency Scheme

EDF Energy, the UK’s largest producer of low-carbon electricity, announced the completion of a £100k scheme that has helped to fund energy efficient measures in 36 flooded affected homes in Kendall and Carlisle.

 In the first and largest scheme of its kind in Cumbria, flood-damaged cavity wall insulation has been replaced in the properties by new water-resistant bonded polystyrene bead insulation which will improve the energy efficiency of the properties. It is estimated that this will help residents to make significant savings on their fuel bills, up to £160 per year, the equivalent of 30 tonnes of carbon emissions per household.

 EDF Energy partnered with Green Deal First and its installation company Thrift Energy to complete the £100k project, which is part of the Government’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO) – an initiative designed to help people in low-income areas save energy, thereby saving carbon and money on their energy bills.

 EDF Energy has worked with Green Deal First and Thrift Energy since 2015. Work commenced on the project in April this year and was quickly completed in three months. 

 Mark Dallen, Business Development Account Manager at EDF Energy, said, “we are proud to use our ECO project funding to help homes affected by flooding in Cumbria. As the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Association recommended the removal of flood-damaged cavity insulation, local residents were previously at risk of cold homes and higher bills this winter.  These energy efficiency improvements will make a significant difference to the lives of people in Cumbria, helping them to enjoy warm, energy efficient homes.”

 Derek Campbell, Managing Director of Thrift Energy Limited, commented, “having personally seen the devastation caused by the floods in Carlisle it is rewarding to have been able to help those affected with this solution.  We have been able to quickly remove the flood damaged insulation and replace it with a thermally efficient, water resistant solution, allowing much quicker reoccupation with minimum disruption. The ECO funding from EDF Energy has helped families benefit from warm, dry and well insulated homes, with lower heating bills for the coming winter.”

 Local resident Mrs Pauline Thompson said, “after the devastation caused by the recent floods, we’re extremely grateful to receive the ECO funding from EDF Energy as it really helped with the cost of the work.”

We are now back in our home and looking forward to a warmer winter with lower bills.