Published today, the research, conducted between April 1 and June 30 2013, found that from 500 households that had a Green Deal assessment, 81% have already, are in the process of or intend to install at least one energy efficiency home improvement.

From those surveyed, it found that 56% have already installed at least one measure, a further 6% are in the process of having instalments, and 19% said they intend to have something installed.

According to the Government, the Green Deal assessments experience “continues to be positive”, with 78% of people saying their Green Deal assessment was “highly useful”.

It also found that 82% of people had confidence in the recommendations made by their assessor, and 72% of people said they would recommend a Green Deal assessment to friends and family.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said: “It is very encouraging that Green Deal assessments are enabling people to take action to make their homes more energy efficient.

“This new research further demonstrates that most people are finding Green Deal assessments to be helpful. It also underlines the desire to save money on energy bills as a main motivator for having an assessment,” he said.

This new research also shows the range of different methods people are using to pay for work following a Green Deal assessment. Some are supported via the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and others are using savings or regular income.

The Government claims that there is also evidence that an increasing number of households plan to use Green Deal finance, with 24% of those planning to install measures indicating they intend to take out a Green Deal Plan.

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Edward Davey said: “Some people are using Green Deal finance; others are paying in different ways. And of course people should do whatever works best for them.

“The Green Deal is a completely new, ambitious and long-term programme. It’s still early days but the results from this latest research really underline that people want to take action to make their homes warmer and more efficient, and to keep their bills down,” he added.

Figures from August showed an increase in interest with 419 Green Deal Plans in the system for individual properties at the end of July, compared to 306 at the end of June.

Of these, 132 households had signed up to the Green Deal, while 286 had obtained a quote from a Green Deal provider.

Assessments also saw a sharp increase, with 58,124 lodged by the end of July, up from 44,479 at the end of June.

However, critics have slammed the Government’s flagship energy efficiency scheme since its inception in January. The slow up take of the scheme has been blamed on the high interest rates of the Government’s finance package, poor marketing of the scheme, software and legal issues.

Despite these latest findings, many feel Barker’s target of 10,000 completed deals in 2013 is unlikely to be achieved.

Leigh Stringer

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