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HOUSEBUYERS COULD SAVE HUNDREDS OF POUNDS EACH YEAR MPs Discuss Green Mortgage Surveys Law
25 March 1998
Introduced as a Private Members Bill by John Burnett MP (Lib Dem), and promoted by Friends of the Earth, the Energy Efficiency Bill has cross-party support and was given an unopposed second reading by MPs in February. The Bill also has strong public backing.A recent study by South Bank University revealed that 87% of home buyers would have liked such an energy rating for their home. A survey for the Department of the Environment said that 86% of buyers are likely to carry out energy improvements within two years of purchase.
Under the Bill the energy efficiency assessment will be carried out during the pre-mortgage evaluation survey of the property using Government-set-standards. This is expected to add only a few minutes to the surveyor's time and less than £10 to its cost.
The Energy Efficiency Bill will bring social, environmental and financial benefits:
- According to the Energy Saving Trust, the average household can save up to £200 every year through energy efficient measures. Many measures entail little or no cost;
- Around 600 jobs would be created making homes energy efficient;
- Cost effective energy efficient measures in the home could cut carbon dioxide emissions by 63 million tonnes annually; around 11.5 % of total UK emissions.Carbon dioxide is a major climate changing gas. Other pollutants would also be cut.
Charles Secrett, Director of Friends of the Earth, said
"Providing house buyers with sensible and practical information on how to make their new homes more energy efficient makes both financial and environmental sense. Too much energy is being wasted. This is why Friends of the Earth is supporting the Energy Efficiency Bill.”
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jul 2008
