A popular scheme that cuts fuel bills, improves energy efficiency and the local environment has scooped a national award.

Dundee City Council, working with Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) and contractors Turner Housing and Energy and suppliers Alsecco UK picked up the insulation and fabric installer of the year at the recent energy efficiency and retrofit awards.

Last week John Alexander, convener of Dundee City Council’s neighbourhood services committee, accepted the trophy at the site of one of the most recent external insulation schemes.

Speaking outside the property at 14 Arklay Terrace, he said: “This trophy gives national recognition to a scheme that has been popular with householders for the amount of money and energy it has saved them.

“The external wall insulation programme has not only brought with it financial benefits to residents it has also improved the local environment.

“I have even been approached by people in different areas letting me know how happy they are with the way the contractor completed the work with the minimum amount of disruption.

“It is my firm commitment that the council will continue to do all it can to make sure that the people of Dundee have energy efficient homes they can afford to heat.”

Over the past two years external insulation has been successfully installed at more than 600 homes at Lawton, Graham Street, Arklay Street, Hilltown and Clepington Road areas where residents are reporting reductions in their energy bills.

Several thousand pounds of work is carried out to each block and paid for by money from the Scottish Government and SSE at no cost to the tenant or homeowner.

David Smith, area development manager, Scotland, SSE Energy Solutions, said: “SSE is proud to make a difference and we at Energy Solutions are delighted to have led a project that has lowered Dundee residents’ fuel bills, cut carbon emissions and transformed the look and feel of these communities.”

All tenants, home owners and landlords in the areas included in the programme receive a letter before work starts but to be included they must sign up to the scheme.

According to the judges of the Energy Efficiency and Retrofit awards: “This award recognised the efforts of fully qualified insulation or building fabric installers that provide excellent customer service, and demonstrate a high standard of quality workmanship or best practice within their local community.”