Warm Wales (Cymru Gynnes Cwmni Buddiant Cymunedol), the Community Interest Company, set up to deliver fuel poverty programmes in Wales, has announced its backing for an initiative to provide free mineral wool insulation to over 3,000 Welsh households by Rockwool.

Fuel poverty occurs where any household spends over 10% of its household budget on domestic energy bills, to keep the home warm and to make it a healthy place to live. The scheme, aiming to give away more than 2,250 tonnes of free high-grade loft insulation from a local plant in Bridgend, could save local households over £615,000 in annual heating bills thanks to the increased energy efficiency it offers.

Warm Wales has so far reduced Wales' annual carbon emissions by 8,100 tonnes and it believes the Rockwool giveaway will help to increase the amount saved by around 35%.

Warm Wales spokesperson, Crispin Jones, said of the scheme: "Rockwool's initiative is a fantastic gesture to the people of Wales on financial, social and environmental fronts. It will help families escape from fuel poverty and also help create a better environment through reduced emissions. We are proud to support Rockwool and hope that they pave the way for other major companies to help reduce the Welsh carbon footprint."


Hans Schreuder, Rockwool managing director, commented: "The support of Warm Wales is hugely valued on both a corporate and community level. We welcome the opportunity to work alongside Warm Wales to help Welsh homeowners build a sustainable environment, while saving a considerable amount of money in the process."

The granulate giveaway supports Rockwool's ongoing commitment to cutting carbon emissions and reducing global warming. Rockwool says that homeowners using its granulate product to insulate their homes can save up to £205 a year through lower heating bills and cut the carbon emissions from their homes by up to a tonne a year (for the average 3-bedroom semi-detached home). They also save up to £300 on the cost of buying the insulation in the first place, giving a first year saving of up to £505 for those taking up the offer.

"Ensuring your home is properly insulated is one of the easiest and most effective ways to cut heating bills and save money," continued Schreuder. "Rockwool is one of the most environmentally friendly insulation materials, being made from naturally occurring volcanic Diabase rock, and it is completely reusable and recyclable, meaning that home owners taking up the free offer can not only cut heating bills but also reduce their carbon footprint and do their bit to help save the planet."

For more information visit: www.rockwool.co.uk and www.warmwales.org.uk/