Thursday 9 December 2010

One in three people are too cold

As the government announced its Green Deal plans yesterday, Friends of the Earth revealed research that shows just how cold we really are.

According to government figures, only 0.3% of English homes are properly insulated and 17% are so cold that they can officially be classified as a health hazard.

The environmental campaigning charity said making the UK's homes energy efficient is one of the quickest and cheapest ways to cut carbon emissions.

Dave Timms, Friends of the Earth's Warm Homes campaigner, said: "We're calling for the government's Energy Bill to help keep the chill out of our homes with a nationwide refit - this means a commitment to ensure the coldest two thirds of British houses are improved by the end of the decade."

The survey makes for a chilling read: 34% of us felt uncomfortably cold in our homes; 24% of us had to keep on a coat, hat or gloves at home to stay warm; and 57% of us have kept the heating on non-stop for more than 12 hours.

Mr Timms added: "Our survey shows tenants renting from a landlord or letting agency have been unacceptably cold at home during the big freeze. To protect them, we need a new law making it illegal to rent out the coldest, health-hazard properties until they are improved."

Friends of the Earth is calling for the Energy Bill - published yerterday - to include a pledge to ensure that by 2020, the coldest two thirds of British homes are improved to an energy efficiency standard that is better than the average house today.

Under the Green Deal, home owners will be entitled to spend up to £6,500 on improving the energy efficiency of their home. Repayment will be from savings made in future energy bills. More importantly, if the property is sold, the repayment will continue to be made through the energy bills by the new owner.