Earlier this week, Energy Secretary Chris Huhne outlined plans to improve the state of insulation in the UK’s housing stock, which is renowned for being one of the draughtiest in Europe.
Under the provisions of the so-called ‘green deal’, from 2013 onwards property dwellers in the UK will be able to apply for a loan from their energy supplier to pay for the cost of insulating their homes. According to Mr Huhne, the revised Energy Bill would “make upgrading our nation’s draughty homes a no-brainer”.
The Energy Secretary added that the state of domestic central heating and insulation in Britain was poor compared to other developed countries.
Mr Huhne said: “When it comes to making our homes warmer and cosier, Britain’s a laggard. The green deal is about taking the hassle and upfront cost out of making your home more energy efficient. The green deal’s also a great business opportunity and shows we’re serious about the green industries of the future.”
Mr Huhne also attempted to allay fears that the green deal would encourage rogue traders to target vulnerable homeowners.
Mr explained: “Accreditation, a quality mark, insurance-backed warranties – there’ll be no place for cowboys to get a foothold in the green deal.”
Unfortunately, critics have argued that the green deal is overly complicated and likely to exclude a vast number of households in the UK.
A spokesperson for the Friends of the Earth stated: “It is not a comprehensive strategy for tackling fuel poverty or making the UK’s homes energy efficient. A proper strategy is needed which sets out how the Government will end fuel poverty and cut emissions from homes by at least 42 per cent by 2020. Locally driven action is essential. Local carbon budgets must be introduced.”
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), however, believes that the green deal offers a comprehensive solution for UK residents and the nation’s economy. The DECC has claimed that the existing 27,000 or so people working in the insulation trade could increase to around 100,000 by 2015. In the next 10 years, the DECC estimates that as many as 250,000 people will be employed in the insulation business.
I live in a timber frame house built as an expansion scheme in Northampton approx 40 years ago. I have for years been trying to find if any grant or other assistance is available to insulate my house walls, as there is nothing but fresh air there, literally. Could this Green Deal be the answer, has someone at last woken up to the fact that conventional cavity insulation is not suitable for retro installing in this type of property. I have found a suitable system but it means removing the brick and tile cladding which forms the outer layer, naturally this isn’t going to be cheap, so a grant of some sort is essential. Does anyone know of any scheme? BR MikeB