Brits clueless about Green Deal

Results of a survey have found that 96% of the British public have never heard of, or do not understand the Green Deal.


According to the survey from electrical supplies distributor Rexel, many businesses are also oblivious with just 17% of employers aware that the Green Deal, to be launched in two months, applies to them.

Despite three-quarters of people admitting that they are concerned about rising energy bills and nearly seven in 10 expressing interest in making energy efficiency improvements to their homes, 61% of the respondents have never heard of the Green Deal and 35% said they do not understand the scheme.

Some Green Deal measures are receiving more publicity than others according to the findings.

LED lighting is the first consideration with 18% of employers opting for this measure, while 10% plan to use the loans to install window glazing and 9% to improve insulation or draught proofing. Biomass boilers and automated systems and controls are the least popular measures, with just 1% of respondents opting for these technologies.

Rexel director Brian Smithers claimed that the findings came as no surprise considering Greg Barker’s recent admission that no Green Deal assessments had been carried out and only 12 providers have signed up to the scheme to date.

He said: “For the Green Deal to truly deliver, it’s crucial that the industry doesn’t leave the ball in the Government’s court. We need to work together to educate business owners and consumers about the benefits of energy saving measures, and the role the Green Deal can play in making these available at no upfront cost.”

“With energy bills rising, measures like the Green Deal can really help to deliver cost savings and reduce our impact on the environment.”

Last week the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) announced it would launch a £2.9m advertising campaign to raise awareness of the Green Deal.

Commenting on the Government’s move, Green Alliance head of research Faye Scott said:

“This is good news for everyone that wishes the Green Deal to succeed. Back in May our report raised the risk that dispersed communication on the Green Deal may not reach the public effectively, especially as take up of energy schemes has been relatively low up until now, even when measures are heavily subsidised or even free.

“We are pleased the government listened to our call to use communications to build trust around the Green Deal and has recognised their own important role in doing so.”

Conor McGlone

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