The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has responded to widespread reports that the Green Deal is failing by publishing new data which shows the scheme is “inspiring people” to install energy saving measures.
The research claims that 47% of households who received a Green Deal advice report as part of their assessment indicated they either had or were getting energy saving measures installed. In addition, 31% said they would ‘definitely or probably’ install at least one measure.
Saving money was listed as the main motivator behind getting a Green Deal assessment (68%), while more than half said that free assessments and finding out how to make the property more energy efficient was their main reason.
Interestingly, 85% of respondents did not pay for a Green Deal assessment with 59% saying that the assessor did not charge a fee and 26% paid for by landlords, local authorities or another organisation.
According to DECC, awareness of the Green Deal has doubled since the scheme’s launch jumping from 10% of households aware in November 2012 to 22% by May 2013.
Speaking at the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Green Deal, energy and climate change minister Greg Barker said: “It’s fantastic to see that Green Deal assessments are leading to people taking action to make their homes more efficient. 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.
“It’s also encouraging to see awareness of the Green Deal growing. This is a long term programme that will last for years and decades, but we’re already seeing evidence that people are aspiring to improve their properties, make them more efficient and take control of their energy bills.”
However, a large section of the British press has carried stories reporting that the number of households who have gone on to access the Green Deal finance after the assessment could be ‘fewer than ten’. The shadow secretary of state for energy and climate change, Caroline Flint, told members gathered at the Unison conference today that only three people had taken up Green Deal finance since its launch.
The Department will release the official Green Deal figures detailing the take up on Thursday.