Huhne: Homes missing out on Energy Bill savings

New figures released today reveal that nearly half of Britain’s homes do not have adequate basic insulation and are throwing away at least £100 in wasted energy payments every year.

The latest lagging statistics show that only 57% of Britain’s lofts have been properly insulated and only 58% of cavity walls have been filled. Insulating lofts and cavity walls cuts down on energy leakage and therefore reduces energy bills.

Energy companies have been told by the Coalition Government to increase the help they make available to people to insulate their homes and save money. A total of 3.5 million homes are set to benefit by December 2012 as a result of a tougher Carbon Emissions Reduction Target.

Today’s figures show that 479,000 professional insulation measures have already been installed against the new target, with over three million further homes expected to be treated by the end of 2012. On average this will amount to more than 140,000 insulation measures a month.

Chris Huhne, Energy and Climate Change Secretary, said:

“At a time when money is tight and with energy prices predicted to rise, householders are missing out on over £100 of savings every single year by not getting their lofts lagged and cavity walls filled.

“We are making energy companies do more to help their hard pressed customers, with another 3.5 million households set to be protected against higher bills by the end of next year.”

People who want advice on insulating their home should call the Energy Saving Trust on 0800 512 012 to find out about the latest local offers on insulation that are available.

To help even more people transform their homes, the Government’s Green Deal will start next year. Households will be able to invest in home improvements at no upfront cost and repay through savings on energy bills.

The scheme will involve an extensive range of energy efficiency measures including installing insulation, replacing leaky windows, or upgrading inefficient old heating systems to the latest high-performing models.

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Notes to editors

1. Read the DECC statistical release on home insulation levels in Great Britain
2. Visit the Ofgem website for the update on the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target 
3. Under the Green Deal, households will be able to invest in energy efficiency improvements worth up to £10,000 where an impartial assessment identifies appropriate measures that can be expected to save at least as much money as they cost to install. Major domestic retrofits worth more than £10,000 will also be possible where Green Deal providers can demonstrate a higher level of consumer protection. The Green Deal will also be available to commercial properties.
4. The Government earlier this week announced changes that would reduce the red tape on smaller energy companies so as to increase competition and choice for consumers. Further details can be found in the DECC press notice announcing the new measures. 
5. Visit the Energy Saving Trust website for statistics published last year providing a local breakdown of insulation levels

Source: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn11_049/pn11_049.aspx

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