Green plans 'mean 10% bills hike'

Residents may be made to carry out other energy efficiency measures such as wall insulation when replacing boilers under Government plans
9 April 2012

Households face being hit with costly extra bills for home improvement schemes under "green" plans proposed by the Government, it was reported.

Residents could be blocked from replacing windows and boilers or putting up conservatories unless they agree to carry out other work, such as loft or wall insulation, according to the Daily Mail.

The proposals, aimed at reducing the UK's carbon footprint, would hike up bills by 10%, the newspaper reports. Those struggling to meet the extra cost could borrow cash under the coalition Government's Green Deal scheme, repaying the amount through an extra charge on energy bills, it claims.

Officials at the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) told the newspaper the measures, which are under consultation, would be "mandatory" unless homes already had a high energy performance rating.

The new rules would come into force from April 2014 if approved, the Mail said.

Homeowners wishing to replace a boiler or build a conservatory will have to notify their local authority, which can then tell them to carry out other works as a condition of receiving approval. Measures listed in the Whitehall plans include loft or cavity insulation, hot water cylinder insulation and draught proofing, according to the Mail.

Conservative MP Tim Yeo, chairman of the Energy and Climate change Committee, criticised the plans. He told the newspaper: "If people are spending their own money on a new boiler compulsory intrusion is not appropriate.

"Encouragement or information about the scheme is justified, but it should be made an absolute requirement to have builders inside your home."

A DCLG spokesman said later in a statement: "When a householder decides to change their boiler they would simply be also be asked to make other energy efficiency improvements to help reduce the cost of rising energy bills so their home is warmer and cheaper to run - typical savings could be as much as £150 a year, which is real help to hard-pressed families.

"If a household does choose to go ahead, the Government's Green Deal is there to help them carry out their improvements in a way that means they do not have to pay any upfront costs."

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