ALMOST half of Glasgow's householders won't install wind turbines or solar panels at home because they think they are too expensive.

ALMOST half of Glasgow's householders won't install wind turbines or solar panels at home because they think they are too expensive.

And in a survey of more than 1000 people, 46% said they would like "financial incentives" before installing renewable technologies to help power their homes.

The research by the Energy Saving Trust in Scotland also showed just 47% of people in the city would go for a renewable technology if they knew it would lead to paying less for gas and electricity, compared to a Scottish average of 65%.

The Energy Saving Trust's director in Scotland, Mike Thornton, today urged them to think about the long-term benefits.

He said householders could apply for a grant which covers 30% of the total cost of installing a renewable technology, up to a maximum of £4000, thanks to a household grant scheme.

The Scottish Community and Householder Renewable Initiative - funded by the Scottish Government and managed by the Energy Saving Trust - has £3.5million to give out in grants this year alone.

Mr Thornton said: "These technologies can save hundreds of pounds on utility bills each year."

The average costs of installing a renewable technology are £4000 for solar water heating; £9000 for air source heat pumps; £10,000 for biomass boilers and £13,000 for ground source heat pumps.

The Government, councils and companies are also embracing wind and solar schemes.

A five-turbine development, costing £15m, will be built at Cathkin Braes in south east Glasgow. In the first council-run scheme of its kind, it is hoped that all of the street lights in the city will be powered by wind-generated electricity.

For information on ren- ewable energy technolo-gies, call 0844 84 888 30 or e-mail practicalhelp@est.org.uk or for more on the grants visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/homerenewables or call 0800 138 8858.