The government believes that proper insulation can help the owners of the most energy inefficient homes in the UK save on average, around GBP550 per year and cut carbon emissions by installing insulation measures.
As per the restructured CERT, extended from March 2011 until December 2012, 68% of energy suppliers’ work should involve installation of loft, cavity and solid wall insulation. With the addition of DIY insulation more than 80% of the scheme will be focused on insulation.
The energy suppliers must also make sure that 15% of homes helped are low income households more at risk of fuel poverty. The government will see to it that energy companies stop promoting compact fluorescent lamps in order to prioritise insulation, further to the total ban on light bulb mail-outs.
DECC will also reconsider providing subsidy for low carbon gadgets like eco-kettles, shower regulators and high efficiency appliances in place of even more homes being insulated.
The government also plans to introduce legislation which will enable households to implement measures like solid wall insulation with no upfront costs. Through the Green Deal, expected to be available in late 2012, the government could recover the cost of energy efficiency work through a charge on a home’s energy meter offset by the savings made on fuel bills.
