Energy advice visits 'ineffective in curbing consumption'
Unsolicited advice to low income householders on cheap and easy ways of reducing electricity, gas and other fuel consumption has failed to produce major energy efficiency improvements in a study supported by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Home visiting by a specialist adviser employed by the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust to advise its residents, with the results monitored by the Building Research Establishment over two winters, did not directly lead to significant energy savings. Although a few tenants were found to be running their central and hot water heating wastefully, the vast majority were already using their systems correctly.
The two year programme of advice to residents did result in a reduction in condensation levels in a large number of homes. More than a quarter of tenants were also able to claim Home Energy Efficiency Scheme grants to install insulation and other improvements. Even so, the report suggests it would be more cost-effective to train housing staff who have regular contact with tenants to deliver energy advice, than to employ specialist visitors.
Researchers, from the Building Research Establishment conclude that where low income households are living in energy-wasting properties, advice can be helpful, but is no substitute for improvements to the building fabric, such as cavity wall insulation.
