New analysis from the Local Government Association, which represents more
than 350 councils across England and Wales, projects poorly insulated homes
will be leaking £12.7 billion of energy over two years, with a third of that
cost being incurred by the Government under its recently announced Energy Price
Guarantee.
Homes with an EPC D rating or lower will have an average of £488 of heat per
year escaping out of poorly insulated doors, windows, roofs and walls.
While families in inefficient homes will lose a total of £8.6 billion in
energy waste over the two year scheme, the costs incurred by Government under
the intervention could increase if energy prices rise as projected next year.
The most wasteful homes in England are older and more likely to be occupied by
older people and those on lower incomes, with over 60 per cent over 65s living
in England’s least energy efficient homes.
Owner occupied and private rented homes are almost twice as likely to be rated
EPC D or below than social homes.
Councils are best placed to deliver programmes to help decarbonise England’s
buildings, generate skills and jobs, and promote and protect public
health.
They have the local knowledge, experience, trusted status, relationships with
residents and the ability to forge local partnerships, and deliver with
precision and pace.
The LGA is therefore calling for the Government to renew its partnership with
councils to redouble urgent efforts to better draught proof, insulate and
retrofit all homes and accelerate the shift to renewable energy, as well as
give residents energy saving advice.
This action won’t just benefit the household and public purse in the short
term, it will mean long term savings on energy costs and a decrease in carbon
emissions.
It will help protect more vulnerable people from suffering cold and damp
conditions that could lead to a health crisis for the NHS.
Cllr David Renard, environment spokesperson for the LGA, said: “Retrofitting
more homes is a practical, sustainable and economically responsible solution to
keep many people warmer and safer through winters.
“Investment now will save households and taxpayers money further down the line,
ease the cost-of-living crisis, reduce health crisis for people in cold and
damp homes, and mean families have added security and flexibility within their
budgets.
“Alongside a transition to renewable energy, a retrofit renaissance could be
the centrepiece of renewed efforts to drive economic growth, create more jobs
and increase productivity, and deliver net zero to protect our environment now
and for the future.
“Councils are eager to help the Government deliver on this win-win-win agenda
as fast as possible.”
