Department of Energy and Climate Change
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Energy efficiency in rural homes increases by almost 3000% in six months
People in rural areas living in draughty homes will be a lot cosier this winter thanks to government action to increase the number of homes eligible for insulation work from energy companies.
The number of energy efficiency measures installed through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme is up almost thirty-fold in just 6 months.
Energy companies have installed an estimated 23,400 insulation types – such as in lofts and cavity walls – in rural homes, as a result of changes to the ECO scheme announced in April this year, a dramatic increase from 834 measures at the end of March.
This achievement is recognised by the energy regulator Ofgem. In its latest progress report into energy companies delivering their ECO obligations, Ofgem reported that suppliers have jumped from meeting just 2 per cent of their targets in March to 55 per cent in September.
Parliamentary under Secretary of State for Energy, Amber Rudd, said:
“We’ve seen a major increase in the number of rural homes that have been made warmer and cheaper to heat – 23,400 measures installed, up from 834 in April.
“These new estimates from energy companies are a sure sign that action from Government to help people living in rural areas is working.
“I want to see energy companies continue to deliver their obligations so more rural communities can reap the benefits and stay warm this winter.” The new figures were revealed in today’s statistical report on the Government’s home energy efficiency programmes, covering the period up to the end of September.
