The National Insulation Association (NIA) is urging the Prime Minister and Chancellor to retain the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and take the opportunity to make changes to the scheme to significantly increase the number of households receiving help and accelerate the pace of delivery.
Latest Government statistics show that the number of home insulation measures carried out this year under ECO are some 50% below their expectations.
Neil Marshall, Chief Executive of the NIA said: “It is imperative that we maximise the number of households receiving home insulation measures as quickly as possible.
“The Prime Minister has the opportunity to take decisive action and show true leadership in strengthening the ECO in the Autumn Statement – he must seize this opportunity to improve the lives of millions of needy households this winter!”
There are over 7 million homes requiring solid wall insulation, over 5 million homes requiring cavity wall insulation and 7 million homes with inadequate loft insulation.
ACE estimates that up to 30,000 jobs within the energy efficiency sector could be lost if ECO is rolled back or scrapped.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, insulation can provide the following savings on a typical three-bedroom semi-detached gas heated home energy bill; Solid Wall Insulation saves up to up to £490* per year; Cavity Wall Insulation saves around £140* per year; Lofty Insulation saves around £180* per year.
