Archive for the ‘energy efficiency’ Topic
News: OFT writing to energy efficiency firms
Published: 10 January 2013
Commenting on the Office of Fair Trading’s (OFT) announcement today advising energy efficiency firms on business practices, Audrey Gallacher, Director of Energy at Consumer Focus said: ‘Making a home more energy efficient is important for cutting bills, but can mean considerable up-front costs with consumers buying goods which they may only purchase once in their [...]
Publication: Under the influence? Consumer attitudes to buying appliances
Published: 21 December 2012
The Government anticipates that increased energy efficiency of products will reduce average household bills by a net £141 by 2020 and play a key role in meeting our national carbon reduction targets. However, increases in the number of appliances in homes and in the size of certain products have the potential to undermine this reduction.
Publication: What’s in it for us? – Learning from our Marketing Energy Efficiency and Behaviour Change Workshops
Published: 14 December 2012
What’s in it for us? reflects on the learning from the workshop and how they build on the lessons and recommendations from What’s in it for me? Key insights relate to the challenge of segmentation, the importance of learning on the job and need to consider the method of communication, as well as the message itself.
News: Energy reforms are essential but must give consumers value for money
Published: 29 November 2012
Responding to the introduction of the Energy Bill in Parliament today, Audrey Gallacher, Director of Energy at Consumer Focus, said: ‘This Bill represents one of the biggest changes in the UK energy market since privatisation, yet many of the important details are still to be decided. What customers will be most worried about is how [...]
News: Energy reform announcements
Published: 23 November 2012
Responding to further detail from the Government on the Energy Bill and measures to meet carbon reduction and renewable energy obligations, Audrey Gallacher, Director of Energy at Consumer Focus, said: ‘The Government has announced a significant increase in the amount energy consumers will pay through their bills to meet the costs of environmental obligations. By [...]
News: Customer questions on pricing lead to scepticism on profits
Published: 15 November 2012
Responding to Centrica’s interim management statement announced today, Audrey Gallacher, Director of Energy at Consumer Focus, said: ‘Consumers will be sceptical over supplier profits given questions over how justified recent price rises have been. ‘We need profitable companies for our economy and to invest in energy infrastructure. But customers need to know that the relationship [...]
News: Lack of confidence on energy costs, pricing and profits is deepening customer distrust
Published: 14 November 2012
Responding to SSE’s half-year profits announced today, Adam Scorer, Director of Policy and External Affairs at Consumer Focus, said: ‘The furore over wholesale costs, energy pricing and company profits has deepened consumer distrust in the energy industry. ‘Energy companies need to make profit so they can invest in our energy infrastructure. But if confidence is [...]
Publication: Jobs, growth and warmer homes
Published: 9 November 2012
Over recent years, successive governments have struggled to face up to the growth in fuel poverty. The commitment to eradicate fuel poverty was taken in 2001 when Britain was largely self sufficient in gas and household bills were comparatively low. With just under 2 million households in fuel poverty it felt like a challenge that [...]
Publication: Living the dream? – An investigation into life on park home sites in England
Published: 15 October 2012
Park homes are seen by many as an affordable, housing option often located within attractive rural locations. For some residents, the dream is a reality and we heard from people who are very happy on their site. However, behind the idyllic picture lie other stories of intimidation, poorly maintained sites and a lack of consumer [...]
News: DECC’s proposals to find a new way to measure fuel poverty
Published: 18 September 2012
Responding to the Department of Energy & Climate Change’s (DECC) proposals to find a new way to measure fuel poverty, William Baker, Head of Fuel Poverty at Consumer Focus said: ‘Defining and measuring fuel poverty is a complex task. While we think the Hills Review makes some improvements to the current approach, there are aspects [...]