Although several energy providers have announced tariff cuts this week, the cost of gas and electricity in the UK is still high.
Consequently, we Brits have to search for alternative means to drive down utility expenditures.
Energy efficiency measures, such as
double glazing,
upvc doors and insulation, are vital in reducing energy consumption and household energy costs.
These features serve to improve the heat retention of properties and prevent draughts from getting into homes.
Products such as thermostats and energy efficiency light bulbs also help to reduce fuel consumption by limiting the amount of excess energy consumed through appliances.
However, many families are put off from investing in energy efficiency, because they are unable to meet upfront costs.
Less than a fifth of us Brits (19 per cent) have made our homes as energy efficient as possible, with nearly half (48 per cent) put off by the cost.
Some 13 per cent also don’t believe that savings from energy efficiency are worthwhile.
However, ten per cent of us want to be more energy efficient but don’t know how, while 11 per cent claim that there is not enough information available.
Luckily, the introduction of the Green Deal in October 2012 may change all this.
The scheme is hoped to encourage us to reduce our energy bills by allowing businesses to offer energy efficiency improvements to our homes at no upfront cost. Companies will
instead recoup payments through instalments on bills.
According to the government, consumer protection will be built into the Green Deal to allow us to obtain impartial advice online, safeguards on the selling of the Green Deal, an objective assessment from an authorised assessor, and protection from mis-selling.
Confirmation of the proper installation of energy efficiency measures must also be received before Green Deal charges can start to be collected by energy companies.
To encourage early up-take of the scheme, the government has provided £200 million in funding.
According to Gordon Miller, co-founder and sustainability and communications director of Sustain worldwide, it is “not merely important but critical” that the Green Deal succeeds.
