Housing professionals planning to improve the energy efficiency of rented accommodation are motivated more to protect their tenants’ wallets than saving the planet, according to a new survey.
The research, by SPSenvirowall, asked the main reason for plans to address the energy efficiency of housing stock. Nearly three-quarters (72.5 per cent) of those who answered said it was either to cut fuel poverty (52.5 per cent) or help residents save money (20 per cent).
Only 7.5 per cent said they were motivated by the aim of cutting carbon, which is one of the leading substances blamed for global warming. The Climate Change Act 2008 requires the UK to cut emissions of greenhouse gases by 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.
The survey comes as the government has launched the Green Deal, which lets participants pay for energy-saving improvements over time on their electricity bill. Repayments will be no more than what a typical household should save in energy costs.
Mitch Gee, managing director at SPSenvirowall, said: “Cutting energy use is important to shrink our carbon footprint, but tenants will be happy to hear that most of their landlords have the state of their finances so strongly in mind, particularly at this time when money is tight.
“Tackling fuel poverty is high on the agenda and making buildings more energy efficient by using measures such as external wall insulation, is a great way to achieve this.”
The questionnaire attracted responses by employees mainly from local authorities, housing associations and arm's-length management groups. They ranged from chief executives and directors to departments heads and officers.
Housing association workers made up 43.4 per cent of respondents, followed by local authorities (17.1 per cent) and arm’s-length management organisations (9.2 per cent). “Others” amounted to 30.3 per cent. Most respondents were from the London area (23.4 per cent).
