THE district council is offering grants to residents to help cut your carbon footprint.

Homewoners are being invited to celebrate Energy Saving Week by giving discount vouchers out for loft insulation or renewable energy technology.

The grants and discounts are available for a variety of energy-saving projects through the district council's approved energy efficiency scheme, Herts Essex Energy Partnership (HEEP), until the end of March 2011.

HEEP can help you insulate your home by installing loft and cavity wall insulation for just £49 each, or for free if someone in your household is in receipt of a qualifying means tested benefit or over the age of 70.

Residents may even be able to swap their old boiler for a new one free of charge, if it is over 15-years-old, still working and are in receipt of a qualifying means tested benefit.

Councillor Melvyn Teare, portfolio holder for environment and sustainability, said: “The council is pleased to be able to offer a range of measures to help residents to reduce their carbon emissions and energy bills through the HEEP scheme.

"However, funding is limited and residents wishing to take advantage of the discounts and grants offered through HEEP need to get their applications in soon as these offers are only available until the end of March 2011.”

Funding is limited and to find out more about the offers available, call 0800 980 6026.