host posted on November 10, 2011 04:42
The Mayor of London’s latest home energy efficiency programme is to scaled back by nearly three quarters to target just 55,000 homes.
In 2009 the Mayor announced a programme which included helping 200,000 homes with easy energy efficiency measures like low energy light bulbs, advice and support for more complex projects such as roof insulation. So with ever increasing energy costs pushing more and more households into fuel poverty why has the new target decreased to 55,000 homes? – Just 1.7% of London’s 3.3 million homes.
Residents in the scheme pilot made savings of up to £154 on their annual energy and water bills but it is estimated savings could be up to £180 a year taking into account recent energy price rises. The trials saved nearly 3,500 tons of CO2, equivalent to 3,000 cars coming off London’s roads.
Maybe it is time that the Mayor’s office is made aware of eTRV and its potential to give homeowners realistic potential for 25% energy savings and in many cases achieving better savings than achieve in the RE:NEW trials!
OFGEM states the typical domestic Heating bill is £1345 per annum.
- Purchase of 10 x eTRV’s including VAT £599.88
- Realistic potential energy savings of 20% per annum £269
- Realistic potential energy savings of 25% per annum £336.25
- Return on investment at 20% = 2.2 years
- Return on investment at 25% = 1.8 years
The savings could be even greater if temperatures are lowered in rooms which are used infrequently and hallways. eTRV is a simple DIY solution which upgrades most existing TRV’s.
Did you know that 80% of carbon emissions in London come from buildings? The Mayor’s vision is to “retrofit" London to create an energy efficient city, stimulate 'green-collar' employment and help London become more resilient to rising energy prices.
At the same time as improving energy efficiency, RE:NEW aims to reduce fuel poverty in London and each household will be offered a benefits check.
The Future
The aim is to attain funding to expand the programme to 200,000 homes by the end of 2012 and 1.2 million homes by 2015. This will be subject to additional funding being secured principally through the Government's 'Green Deal'.
A question for you: Should other towns and cities look to replicate the RE:NEW programme?