Association is switched on to climate change » Housing » 24dash.com

Free energy efficient light bulbs are to be handed out to people living in rented homes across Lincolnshire to help households vulnerable to fuel poverty save money.

Gainsborough-based housing association, Acis Group, has teamed up with the Housing Corporation, EDF Energy and eaga, one of the largest providers of domestic energy solutions in Europe, to distribute the light bulbs, donated by EDF Energy. It is part of an ongoing initiative to reduce carbon emissions.

The news comes in the lead up to Energy Saving Week, which this year runs from 20th to 26th October. It aims to help households become more energy efficient. Each household will receive four light bulbs with a life span ten times longer than regular bulbs and an energy usage 80% less than a standard one. In total the scheme aims to save 1.14 million tonnes of CO2 over a ten year period, which would equate to over 230,000 Olympic-size swimming pools.

Acis Group is one of the first housing associations to take part in the scheme and will distribute its light bulbs to 5,000 homes in Lincolnshire and parts of Yorkshire next month (November). Speaking about the partnership, Valerie Waby, Chief Executive of Acis, said: Making our homes more energy efficient and supporting vulnerable people in doing this is one of our key priorities.

We are delighted to be joining up with The Housing Corporation, EDF Energy and eaga in greening our housing stock and, at a time of rising energy prices, firmly believe this will help our tenants save money whilst at the same time meeting our own commitments of making our housing more environmentally sustainable.