UK homes among worst in Europe for energy efficiency

A new report by the Institution for Government (IFG) think tank, has discovered that homes in Britain are some of the worst when it comes to energy efficiency.

The report outlines how the government should be tackling the current energy crisis by helping to effectively insulate UK homes.

It also referenced a 2020 study that shows UK homes lose more heat than others in Europe – a UK home with an internal temperature of 20 degrees and an external temperature of zero loses three degrees of heat in five hours. 

Based off research that was completed by the Climate Change Committee, the IFG reported that the UK housing stock is ‘the oldest and least energy efficient in Europe’ and found Britain’s homes ‘use more energy than typical homes in other nations across the EU.’ 

Home insulations in the UK have decreased by 50% this year due to the government scrapping their green homes grant after six months in 2021.

The scheme was set to offer grants between £5k – £10k to put in insulation or low carbon heating.

IFG has now urged governments to consider a mixture of grants, loans and tax incentives.

Prime Minister Liz Truss has pledged to cap soaring energy bills at £2,500 for the next two years to help subside energy giants wholesale costs which are estimated to be £100bn.

The IFG warned that if the government only focuses on short-term financial support, it will find itself in another difficult position this time next year. 

The report says: ‘‘UK households and businesses are likely to still be facing high energy bills in the Winter of 2023. Funding very high energy costs through borrowing, without a strategy to reduce demand, will prove unsustainable.’

The think tank also cited analysis suggesting that if the government proposed a major programme to reduce energy use, including boosting insulation, it could reduce Britain’s household energy costs by £27bn in 2023. 

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