Sound-off

There are a number of fundamental problems with the government’s plan. It is entirely voluntary, for a start. It will not systematically up-skill the construction industry, including small builders, to give advice on and deliver the measures required.

It also seems to favour an unaffordable house-by-house, street-by-street programme.

Instead, an adequate programme would need to have at least the following things to be a success.

First, mandatory energy efficiency certification for builders, comparable to the old CORGI rating, with training provided by the government. Now, when the industry is slack, would be a very good time to initiate this.

Second, there should be a builder obligation and a householder obligation to do energy efficiency work on buildings whenever other work is being carried out. The extent and nature of this obligation would need to be carefully defined.

Third, an important financing element would be a ‘pay-as-you-save’ mechanism, with zero-interest loans which stay with the house if householders move and which are paid back over 15 to 20 years through energy bills.

Fourth, as well as universal installation of smart meters on an accelerated schedule, more transparent and informative billing is needed. There should also be post-installation monitoring of energy usage, to check building performance.

Finally, a carbon tax on gas used for heating is needed, to provide a further incentive for people to get the work done. For example, it would encourage them to do the whole house when they might only have done the minimum. Some special arrangements should be made for vulnerable households.

Paul Ekins, professor of energy and environment policy, King’s College London