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* to insulate 6 million homes by the end of 2011
* to have insulated all practical lofts and cavity walls by 2015
* to offer up to 7 million eco-upgrades of homes by 2020 and ensure every home has a smart energy meter
Image: www.freefoto.com
* to insulate 6 million homes by the end of 2011
* to have insulated all practical lofts and cavity walls by 2015
* to offer up to 7 million eco-upgrades of homes by 2020 and ensure every home has a smart energy meter
Green loans 'tied to the property, not the household'
The strategy aims to cut carbon emissions from homes by 29 per cent by 2020
It recommends a law to allow new ‘pay as you save' green loans. Instead of paying for the home eco-upgrade upfront, householders will be able to ‘pay as they save'. The term of the finance will be such that householders will be able to cover the cost of the installation out of bill savings.
Because homeowners move on average about every 12 years, the cost of the upgrade would be attached to the home, not the homeowner. Householders would then only be responsible for the repayments while they benefit from the measures.
Help would also be targeted at those in private rented accommodation where landlords have little incentive to improve energy efficiency. A new ‘Warm Homes' standard for social housing will see all social tenants receive free energy upgrades for their homes from energy companies.
Finally the strategy promises to consult on setting minimum energy efficiency standards for rented property to help tenants left in poorly insulated, cold and energy-wasting properties.
Better information for consumers
The report recommends several measures to help consumers:
* a one-stop shop energy helpline to help people get trustworthy information about energy efficiency measures
* new standards for workmanship and products to protect consumers from the threat of cowboy eco-builders and dodgy products
* a network of eco show homes to demonstrate the range of money-saving and money-generating technology available
* proposals to overhaul the scope of Energy Performance Certificates
Ed Miliband, Energy and Climate Secretary, said: ""Making homes more energy efficient will help protect people from upward pressure on bills, tackle climate change, and make us less reliant on imported energy."
""New ‘pay as you save' green finance, a new alliance between energy companies and local authorities to help people in their communities, as well as moves to encourage landlords to stop ignoring energy wastage in their properties, will help deliver the radical transformation that's necessary.""
Source: Directgov, Crown Copyright
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