Problem homes in Perth will have their heating systems replaced by the council for the second time in just ten years.
The Courier understands that electric heating was introduced in local authority properties in an effort to keep installation costs low but has proved so disastrously inefficient that it will be torn out.
Local councillors said the decision had been an issue ever since the work was carried out in 2007, with occupiers – mostly pensioners – struggling with the costs of even turning on the system.
They have therefore welcomed the start of works to introduce new gas central heating to the homes in the city’s Langside Place and Castle Place.
Independent councillor for Perth City North, Elspeth Maclachlan, said that with budgets tight, it was “essential” that elderly tenants “never have to choose between heating and eating”.
“The ‘pensioners houses’ here have been a problem since I was elected 10 years ago,” said Ms Maclachlan.
“I have regularly received complaints from residents about their heating during this time and along with fellow ward councillors Calum Gillies and John Flynn have had meetings with staff and several residents to discuss ways they can reduce their heating costs.
“The heating system was the best that Perth and Kinross Council could afford at the time as it was considered too expensive to put in gas central heating.
“As the heating had only been replaced in 2007 normally the council would not replace it after only 10 years.
“However the officers had been aware that the running costs of the current electric heating system were too high and it is council policy to try and improve the heating in this type of housing.”
Work has already begun to replace the heating systems within properties in Langside Place and those in Castle Place will follow shortly thereafter.
It is understood the current “assisted connections scheme”, set up to help reduce fuel poverty, will help to make the improved heating systems affordable.
The scheme will provide subsidies that will help reduce the cost of providing gas connections in the Letham area.
Ms Mclachlan added: “It is important that residents who feel that they are living in fuel poverty report concerns to their local councillors so that they can investigate on their behalf.”
In recent years, spiralling fuel bills have been linked to rising debt problems in communities across Perth and Kinross.
Almost one in three households nationally are said to live in fuel poverty.
