More work needed to make Green Deal right for consumers
The success of the UK government’s Green Deal – the new scheme intended to transform the energy efficiency of homes and businesses and lower fuel bills – needs more work for consumers in Scotland to be convinced.
In response to the UK government’s ‘Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation’ consultation, leading consumer group Consumer Focus Scotland says its initial testing indicated little enthusiasm among Scottish consumers.
While consumers are keen to install expensive measures such as insulation for older, solid wall properties or alternative heating systems to save money on fuel bills, they are cautious about the businesses they want to use and fear a barrage of unwanted sales calls.
To make the scheme attractive, consumers indicated through Consumer Focus Scotland’s research that they will need to see:
· Local councils, voluntary groups and local traders promoting it. People in Scotland would be wary of getting involved if energy companies and businesses without local connections promote the scheme
· Fixed low interest rates on Green Deal loans
· An impartial advice service covering all aspects of the Green Deal, including different ways consumers can pay for their installation
· Energy efficiency assessments which are independent of sales, to avoid the risk of mis-selling
· Assessment reports including a list of recommended installers. Consumers would fear unwanted sales calls if the report was available for any installer to see, as is currently suggested in the consultation document
· The opportunity to pay off loans early without penalty
Andrew Faulk, energy expert at Consumer Focus Scotland said:
“More needs to be done to convince consumers in Scotland that the Green Deal is an attractive proposition.
“Initiatives like the boiler scrappage scheme captured the public’s imagination – the UK government must ensure they do the same with this.
“The worst thing would be if this scheme turned out to be a damp squib.
“A lack of trust in energy markets means that could happen – consumers in Scotland tell us they want a strong role for locally based organisations and businesses and that needs to be taken into account.
“The Green Deal has the potential to transform the energy efficiency of homes and businesses across Scotland, cut fuel bills and make homes warmer. We are urging the UK government to listen to what is important to consumers and get the scheme right for the millions of people that could benefit.”
Background:
Two sets of focus group research carried out in Scotland by Consumer Focus Scotland in 2012. Please visit http://www.consumerfocus.org.uk/scotland/news/consumer-focus-scotland-response-to-the-green-deal-and-eco-consultation for the full version of Consumer Focus Scotland’s research and response to the UK government’s Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation.
Contact: Karen Jordan on 0141 227 1843 or 07920 870 042