Advice given out at last week's Carlisle energy saving roadshows resulted in 75 local residents saving a total of £8,000 from annual fuel bills.

Carlisle City Council held three energy saving roadshows and gave advice to more than 100 householders. Three quarters of those who attended, 75 householders, signed up to free cavity wall and loft insulation surveys.

Advice was also given on how to use household appliances more effectively and how to save energy by changing everyday habits. The council estimates savings of approximately 135 tonnes of carbon dioxide will be made as a direct result of the energy road show last week


Cllr Ray Bloxham, Portfolio holder for Environment and Infrastructure, said: "Not surprisingly, local people are really concerned about fuel bills and keeping warm this winter. At the roadshow events, in addition to giving away hundreds of low energy bulbs, our staff also helped householders get insulation installed which will reduce fuel bills by approximately £8,000 per year, every year."

Carlisle residents continued to be offered the chance to get low cost energy saving cavity wall and loft insulation. Carlisle City Council and Book My Survey Ltd have joined forces to find the best credit crunch prices for local householders. For the next few months only, cavity wall insulation is available from £99 and loft insulation from £129. These prices include installation by a local contractor.

Once the insulation has been paid for, householders can look forward to years of energy bill savings. In addition to helping the environment by reducing CO2 levels, cavity wall insulation can save £115 from annual energy bills (based on a standard three-bed semi-detached house) and loft insulation can save between £45-£115 per year.

(CD/JM)