Govt has 'missed the opportunity' to ensure home improvements are ...

20th April 2012

A government policy designed to increase the number of green home improvements has been dropped, leading Sustainable Homes to denounce the move as a "missed opportunity".

Managing director Andrew Eagles noted: "There are 200,000 residential loft conversions, extensions or/and integral garage conversions each year. They result in more energy use."

He pointed out that the government's target is to reduce carbon emissions by 30 per cent by 2020, so getting energy efficiency improvements in at a time when people are making changes to their homes is a "great opportunity".

"It can reduce fuel bills and the green deal provides a low cost loan to do it."

Taking steps such as installing energy efficient electric radiators or replacing blown bulbs with eco-friendly Robus lighting could not only save on homeowners' utility bills, they could also significantly cut down properties' carbon footprints.

And there are plenty of options open to homeowners wanting to improve the energy efficiency of their residence, said Mr Eagles.

"The majority of energy use in the home is space heating. Start with the fabric, so improve insulation in lofts and ceilings. Reduce drafts through walls, around doors and windows. Potentially improve the boiler, become more water efficient, understand heating controls and use them," he added.

Getting your home improvements done now could potentially help you later on in the year when the temperature starts to fall again, as research shows the cold weather at the end of 2011 and beginning of 2012 led to higher bills than customers were expecting.

Consumer Focus figures revealed that 40 per cent of consumers received a higher energy bill than last year, despite last winter being one of the mildest in a decade.

Therefore, using the warmer spring as a time to get improvements carried out around the house could be a prudent move for many householders who do not want to get stung by another large bill next winter.

Posted by Adam Simmons

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