DECC insists Green Deal is ‘inspiring consumers’

Almost half of households (47%) that have received a Green Deal advice report have already, or plan, to install energy-saving measures, according to figures released by DECC today.


The research from GfK NOP, showed that a further 31% of respondents would “definitely or probably” install at least one measure.

DECC has released the research ahead of the publication of its highly anticipated latest Green Deal take up figures, due on Thursday.

This weekend The Independent suggested that although 20,000 households have been assessed by green deal representatives since the scheme was launched in January, the number of households to finalise Green Deal loans could be as low as three.

However, Energy Secretary Ed Davey today claimed the survey showed that “British householders are motivated by energy efficiency.”

“Now we have evidence that Green Deal assessments are leading to householders investing in energy saving measures.

“The Green Deal has only just got underway, but it’s already inspiring consumers to take action to keep their homes warm and bills down,” added Davey.

The survey of 900 households, conducted from the end of April to the beginning of June, also revealed positive feedback on the assessment experience, with the majority of households, (77%) having confidence in assessor recommendations.

In addition, a study released last week showed that Green Deal awareness has more than doubled over the early months of the scheme, increasing from 10% of households being aware in November 2012 to 22% in May 2013.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said: “This new research clearly shows that the majority of people are finding assessments a valuable experience that can usefully help them both understand where they are wasting energy and importantly what they can do to deal with it.”

Conor McGlone

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