'Hard line' call on energy saving

12 April 2012

The Government has been accused of failing to provide enough incentives for homeowners to save energy.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) said the Government needed to re-think its "timid" approach and introduce tough statutory measures to help reduce carbon emissions.

According to RICS, buildings account for more than a quarter of energy losses, but plans to improve housing stock by the introduction of compulsory energy performance certificates do not go far enough.

It argues that financial incentives should be given to persuade homeowners to make homes more environmentally friendly.

RICS estimates that roof insulation costs between £525 for a terraced house and £3,130 for a detached house.

The savings made by insulating a roof is £140 to £170 a year, meaning that it would be 18 years before homeowners might start reaping the benefit financially.

Wall insulation shows a similar story, with homeowners having to wait up to 17 years before their investment starts paying dividends, RICS said.

But with average household occupancy lasting only 14 years, homeowners are given little incentive to save, the institution added.

Louis Armstrong, chief executive of RICS, said: "The Government continues to fiddle while energy burns in our homes. It is time that it showed some backbone by introducing tough statutory measures to encourage industry and the consumer to make the necessary changes to reduce carbon emissions."

However a spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government, said Rics was "out of touch with current costs", adding the Government has invested £100 million a year to support grants and loans to help people cut carbon emissions."

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