Homeowners do not trust green advice (From Your Local Guardian)

Homeowners do not trust green advice

12:20pm Tuesday 9th June 2009 in

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Just one in seven householders trust a builders when it comes to advice on green issues, but eight in 10 people would like to give energy efficiency advice that was respected by their customers.

The results come from polls commissioned from the Energy Saving Trust (EST) the UK’s leading organisation set up to help people fight climate change.

The EST this week launched Building in the Dark campaign aimed at highlighting the green skills gap among UK tradespeople.

One poll, of 2,362 people from across the UK, found just 14 per cent of South East respondents would trust the advice of the tradesperson already doing work in their house, if they offered to install energy efficiency measures.

Philip Sellwood, chief executive of the Energy Saving Trust, said: “If the national target of an 80 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050 is to be met it is vital we tackle the lack of energy efficiency in our existing housing stock.

"We simply must act now.

“Latest figures show that £24 billion is spent on repair, maintenance and improvement works on the UK housing stock and some of this work represents a missed opportunity to make green improvements for South East residents.

“Real cost savings - in terms of labour and minimising disruption - are on offer to householders who employ tradespeople to install energy-efficiency measures when they are in doing other work.

"Householders can save on average £340 a year on energy bills through green improvements and energy efficient behaviours.

“We need new training schemes and quality marks for the housing sector to help householders identify skilled tradespeople with the expertise to make green improvements.”

If you are a householder who needs more information on how you can implement some home improvements contact EST on 0800 512012 or visit energysavingtrust.org.uk

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