Image: www.freefoto.com
Image: www.freefoto.com
* 68% of energy suppliers' work will now have to be met through professionally installed loft, cavity and solid wall insulation. With DIY insulation added, more than 80% of the scheme will be focused on insulation. Previously just 60% was met through professional and DIY work;
* 15% of homes helped will be the lowest income households more at risk of fuel poverty;
* Energy companies will now be stopped from promoting compact fluorescent lamps in order to prioritise insulation, further to the total ban on light bulb mail-outs.
DECC will also consult this summer on whether to retain the subsidy for low carbon gadgets like eco-kettles, shower regulators and high efficiency appliances in place of even more homes being insulated. The changes to CERT will mean some 3.5 million more homes across Great Britain are likely to benefit from insulation, building substantially on the 2.5 million homes treated under the scheme since April 2008.
Chris Huhne said:
"Our plans will give a huge boost to the insulation industry during the economic recovery as we pave the way for the start of the Green Deal. This is the beginning of a massive and urgent increase in home energy insulation for the nation. We are demanding that energy companies work harder to make homes warmer, more environmentally friendly and cheaper to run, especially for those who need it most."
The government announced in the Queen's Speech that it is to introduce legislation which will enable households to finance more expensive measures like solid wall insulation with no upfront costs. Through the Green Deal, energy efficiency work could be repaid through a charge on a home's energy meter offset by the savings made on fuel bills, meaning many householders will benefit from day one. This Green Deal is expected to be available in late 2012.
National Insulation Association Chief Executive, Neil Marshall, said:
"We welcome this bold move by Government and recognition of the critical role that insulation has to play in reducing energy bills and tackling climate change. The introduction of a minimum level of insulation that must be carried out by the energy suppliers along with other changes such as stopping the promotion of CFLs will ensure that there is a major increase in the amount of insulation undertaken. This will provide significant benefits to householders and a much needed boost to our industry enabling us to plan and be ready for the introduction of the Green Deal in 2012."
Director of the Association for the Conservation of Energy, Andrew Warren, said:
"This decision provides an important step towards refocusing the long-standing energy efficiency obligations upon energy companies. It breaks new ground, by mandating a minimum percentage of investment for one specific energy saving option - in this case, insulation."
Source: U.K. Department of Energy and Climate Change
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
