Citizens Advice response to BEIS Call for Evidence on Building a Market for Energy Efficiency

Citizens Advice response to BEIS Call for Evidence on Building a Market for Energy Efficiency 362 KB

Citizens Advice welcomes the government’s renewed focus on home energy efficiency policy. There is a strong consumer case for further policies to promote energy efficiency. This can significantly reduce household energy bills and address fuel poverty.

We welcome that as the government develops policies in this area, it is taking stock of existing research and experience. To be effective, policies need to reflect consumer behaviour and needs. In our response we set out the relevant evidence from our own research and experience.

The Green Deal was the last significant policy in England and Wales to promote energy efficiency measures for these consumers. It failed because it did not provide an attractive enough proposition to consumers.

If new policies are going to motivate householders, they need to reflect how people think and act.

Our response draws on Citizens Advice’s own research, particularly the Energising Homeowners.  This used behavioural workshops with householders to understand their priorities, how they make decisions about their home and their likely responses to energy efficiency incentives.

This shows a package of measures is needed to inspire trust, motivate householders, help them pay for energy efficiency measures, and ensure that work meets high quality standards.