With a range of government initiatives and schemes on offer, going green has arguably never been easier for British homeowners. There are now so many ways they can improve the energy efficiency of their properties, in turn helping the environment and also reducing their gas and electricity bills.
Derrick Wilkinson, director at Gr33n, explained his belief that there is a growing emphasis on eco-friendliness among UK citizens, partially driven by the fact the price of energy is going “through the roof”, leading many to tackle how much they consume. He said this, coupled with the emergence of government projects, has led to there being “a lot more interest”.
With this in mind, many may wish to hire a professional builder to overhaul their home’s energy performance, which could include fitting solar panels or insulation. A plumber might also be in a position to influence the consumption rates of some household appliances.
Mr Wilkinson went on to suggest the recent change in feed-in tariffs, meaning homes require an energy performance certificate, has put some people off having work done, but the lowering cost of solar panels is having the opposite effect.
“The costs of the panels have come down massively. The kit now is half the price, so there is still a lot of interest and customers can still see a great return,” he stated.
Mr Wilkinson is not the first expert to speak out about the importance of sustainability in home improvements in recent days. M&S Home Insurance found many people are tightening their belts as a result of soaring energy prices, so cutting down on power usage is a priority in many cases.
Fleur Carruthers, home insurance manager at M&S Money, said it is great to see so many people choose the green option when it comes to saving money.