CUMBRIA Action for Sustainability (CAfS) has won funding to work with local councils to help residents cuts their bills and make their homes warmer ahead of winter.

The new Cold to Cosy Homes Cumbria service is delivered by CAfS to help offer free advice and energy-saving equipment and other practical help to householders.

Its energy advisors will be visiting homes and ensuring that simple measures in are place to reduce energy use and costs.

This includes using LED light bulbs, draught exclusion and radiator reflectors, all offered free of charge through the new scheme.

Tim Farron MP recently accompanied one of the CAfS energy advisors on a visit to a home in Kendal and was able to see for himself how a few simple improvements can help to make that change from cold to cosy: “This is a really great scheme that is a win-win for local residents,” he said. “The free and friendly advice that CAfS provide will help keep energy bills down, which is often a big problem over the winter months and at the same time help keep homes cosy and warm.”

Suzie Pye, who is the portfolio holder for Health, Wellbeing and Financial Resilience for South Lakeland District Council has been supporting the service.

“CAfS has done a great job in winning funding for Cold to Cosy Homes Cumbria, enabling local advisors to offer free advice as well as practical help during a visit,” she said. “The eligibility criteria for the scheme are really broad and I am keen for people to realise that, if they have health problems, are on any sort of benefits, including child benefit, or have a relatively low income, they will probably qualify for this help."

This Saturday advisors from CAfs will be at the Sedbergh Environmental Market to offer advice and talk more about the new scheme.

Cold to Cosy Homes Cumbria is delivered by CAfS, with a network of trusted Cumbrian tradespeople carrying out the more substantial energy efficiency installations. It is funded through the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme and partners are Local Energy Advice Partnership (or LEAP), SLDC, Eden District Council’s Warm Homes Eden project and Carlisle City Council.

The scheme is available in the South Lakes as well as Eden.

Call 01768 210276 to find out more information .