Confusion reigns over Green Deal

One in five people are confused about what to buy under the upcoming Green deal, according to a survey conducted by the Energy Saving Trust (EST).


The survey also revealed that 47% of respondents have an interest in installing an energy efficient boiler, 52% are interested in installing double glazing and 21% are “very interested” in fitting insulation.

Despite this, there is a considerable amount of confusion and four in ten people will go to an independent body first for advice.

In response, the EST today announced that it is extending its labelling and verification services after 12 years of running the consumer-facing Energy Saving Trust recommended scheme (ESTr).

EST head of assurance Matthew Knight said: “With the Green Deal soon to launch there will be more businesses offering new products and services to consumers. One in five of us is confused about what to buy and yet about half of us are interested in buying new energy efficient boilers or double-glazing. This shows that consumers are crying out for guidance.

“We’ll give consumers the reassurance they need and provide businesses with tailor-made schemes to give them the confidence they need to offer new green products and services.”

The ESTr scheme was designed to shake-up the manufacturing industry to encourage the production and retail of more than 8,000 efficient products ranging from household appliances, consumer electronics and computing to insulation products, heating and controls, lighting and glazing.

Knight said: “The ESTr scheme paved the way for a transformation of domestic energy efficient products giving consumers potential annual savings of £57m on energy bills through products recommended under the scheme.”

New services being introduced by the EST’s extension include the introduction of labelling schemes for green products to help inform consumers’ buying decisions and a green claims verification service for validating companies’ claims, messages and product information.

Conor McGlone

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