New Green Home Scheme Trial Launched by Government

Posted under Blog by Ruth

On the first day of the Copenhagen Summit the government finally chose to launch a new scheme which will help households to cut their carbon emissions.

Homes will be fitted with state of the art technology and devices, including double glazing windows as well as energy efficient boilers and other measures.

Energy and climate change secretary, Ed Miliband, said that the Copenhagen talks will be increasing the pressure on the UK to accelerate its many plans to cut down on emissions.

He added that ‘the UK has taken a lead in putting solutions on the table throughout the [Copenhagen] process’ and that ‘our credibility abroad is based on our ambition at home’.

Households are responsible for about a quarter of all emissions in the UK, and the new trial scheme will be providing loans to help cover costs of going green, such as double glazing. These plans are welcomed by those looking to save money on their monthly electricity bills.

The scheme, Pay As You Save, has just started trials in Stroud, Sunderland, Birmingham and Sutton. It will include roughly 500 homes and will run until 2011.

Low interest loans will be provided to homeowners who wish to install small renewable energy systems. The great news for homeowners is that loan repayments will be lower than the savings that result from installing such measures. Loans will be attached to individual properties, rather than specific owners.

The scheme will be put into place both by local government bodies and private sector firms across the country.