How Medway is helping tackle high energy bills
Electricity has become one of the most expensive resources in the wake of the war in Ukraine among other reasons. It is important that councils help the struggles that it brings to citizens caused by high energy bills.
Following the news that Medway council have invested over £2 million into improving energy efficiency for council houses, what else have they done, and what does it mean for you?
One of the biggest improvements that the council has made is upgrading streetlights from outdated gas discharge lamps to the much more modern LED lantern throughout the Medway towns costing a whopping £11 million.
Vastly increased visibility to drivers and pedestrians, reduced light pollution, fewer carbon emissions and cutting electricity costs in half are all benefits of LED lighting when compared to its predecessor. These works were completed last year.
This allowed more funds to be redirected to other projects, such as their new energy efficiency scheme for council housing and council buildings whilst also freeing up electricity reserves.
Medway Council also launched a ‘Sustainable Warmth Scheme’ which offers home improvements to those in need to keep their homes warm during the winter months.
Despite winter recently ending, the council are urging those who need it to act now before the next winter arrives.
Whilst these schemes are in place to assist those with lower incomes struggling to pay for their energy bills, this falls under their climate change action plan which was introduced in 2021.
The climate change plan means that whilst they are providing heating homes, which releases carbon emissions, it is actually more efficient so there is an overall smaller carbon footprint compared to older heating methods.
Overall, each of the schemes that have been put in place has cost a lot of money but should provide benefits for residents of Medway in the long run.
For more information on how to reduce your own energy usage, or if you would like to find out more about the various schemes, find out more here.