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Householders still in the dark about the Green Deal

Only 19% of consumers have heard of the flagship energy efficiency scheme

Alex Johnson
Wednesday 23 January 2013 11:41 GMT
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The Government's new flagship energy efficiency scheme Green Deal will launch at the end of this month. But new research from uSwitch.com shows that less than 19 per cent have heard of Green Deal, despite the fact that it could help millions to cut the cost of their energy bills.

Green Deal will be a new way for householders to pay for energy efficiency home improvements over time through their electricity bills - around 67 per cent are interested in making their home more energy efficient according to the report, with 86 per cent seeing lower energy bills as the key benefit of insulating their home.

However, just over half say cost is the biggest barrier in improving the efficiency of their home. Another obstacle is a lack of information and know-how, which is holding over a quarter of consumers (27 per cent) back.

Other key findings include:

* Over 60 per cent are interested in the advice, reassurance and support it will offer

* 54 per cent would like to get a report telling them clearly what improvements they could make to the energy efficiency of their home

* 49 per cent like the idea of repaying the cost of energy efficiency improvements through savings made on their energy bills.

Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at uSwitch.com said: "The high cost of energy today means that Green Deal has to deliver. There is a lot at stake here for consumers. Household energy is rapidly becoming unaffordable and reducing the amount we use will protect us from higher bills. This is why consumers need to have a simple, well-designed and well-communicated scheme they can trust, if they are to feel the benefits in their pockets and on their bills."

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