Green Deal launched to help householders cut energy bills (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Green Deal launched to help householders cut energy bills

9:00am Saturday 15th September 2012 in Lifestyle

Stourbridge energy adviser Colin Priest has welcomed the launch of the Government’s Green Deal next month to help householders cut their bills.

The Coalition is unveiling its flagship policy on Monday, October 1 to give home owners and businesses the opportunity to retrofit buildings with the latest technology at no upfront cost, with repayments made through fuel savings.

Two weeks later SSE, formerly known as Scottish and Southern Energy, will put up its prices from Monday, October 15 which will add more than £100 to the average SSE dual-free bill for their customers affecting their 5 million electricity customers and 3.4 million gas customers.

Others of the big six energy companies are expected to follow suit by the end of the year.

Colin who works for Noreus Ltd, said the Government plans were very timely as more and more consumers were concerned at another price increase with winter just round the corner and a recession underway.

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Edward Davey said: “I am determined to make sure that, in addition to creating huge opportunities for Green Deal providers and businesses along with thousands of new jobs, this new market in energy efficiency will deliver the very best deal for consumers.”

Colin, who lives in Quarry Bank, said the measures, which would include wall and loft insulation, boiler upgrades, energy efficient lighting, renewable energy installations and heating controls, would help to bring down the householders’ energy bills by reducing reliance on fuel providers.

He added: “It is a great opportunity for people to save on their bills by installing pay-as-you-save energy efficient solutions without the need to invest large sums of money or to increase personal debt.”

The Green Deal means the ‘loan’ is attached to the property and not the person.

The move will help the Government achieve its own carbon emission targets and provide residents with warmer homes and lower energy bills.

It aims to maker energy efficiency available to all, provided by trusted companies offering high standards and customer protection and putting restrictions on ‘cold callers’.

For more details about energy-saving call Colin on 0845 474 6641.

Businesses who want to find out more can attend a three-day Green Solutions Seminar Programme organised by Solar Power UK 2012, which will held from October 2-4 at the NEC, Birmingham. Tickets can be booked at www.solarpowerukevents.org while consumer entry to the exhibition is free.