More action needed on energy efficiency

Posted: 15 Oct 2007 11:12:10 GMT

The government is being called upon to do more to help homeowners make their properties more energy efficient.

The government is being called upon to do more to help homeowners make their properties more energy efficient.

According to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics), Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) could be more useful if other changes were made.

The organisation says that tax breaks should be introduced for those who fit energy saving products.

It has revealed that the costs associated with many energy efficiency products are so high that many homeowners may never see the financial benefits themselves.

Rics has published research which shows that it could take a homeowner over 200 years to recoup the costs of their energy saving measures.

"The government needs to do a lot more than just introduce a 'fridge style' energy rating system to encourage people to take up energy saving measures into their homes," said Jill Craig from the organisation.

"Rics has been calling on government to reduce the level of VAT applied to all energy saving measures and to provide an attractive grant program to aid real change.

"If this government is really serious about combating climate change they have to turn their big talk into even bigger actions," she added.

EPCs and Home information packs (Hips) became a mandatory part of the home-selling process for properties with three or more bedrooms from September 10th.

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