Press release

Sexy new energy-saving video turns up the heat on Government

21 March 2011

Energy saving at home gets a steamy makeover in a tongue-in-cheek new video inspired by Barack Obama's claim that 'insulation is sexy stuff', launched by Friends of the Earth today.

In the two-minute YouTube film a young man's cavity wall insulation is a hot aphrodisiac for his carbon-obsessed date - but the bedroom action screeches to a halt when she notices his TV is on standby.

Friends of the Earth is calling for the Government to do more to stop poorly insulated British homes leaking heat, to tackle climate change and help vulnerable people who spend more than they can afford trying to stay warm at home.

The environmental campaigning charity is calling for the Government's Energy Bill, currently being debated in Parliament, to lead to a nationwide plan to make sure that by 2020 no one lives in a cold home.
 
More than a quarter of the UK's carbon emissions come from our homes and making them energy efficient is one of the quickest and cheapest ways to fight climate change.
 
Friends of the Earth's Warm Homes Campaigner Dave Timms said:
 
"If everyone was this turned on by insulation and energy-efficient boilers British homes would be a lot warmer, greener and cheaper to heat.

"But they aren't - so £1 in every £4 spent heating our homes is wasted because of poor insulation.
 
"There are many reasons our homes aren't as efficient as they should be - the feeling that it's too expensive or a hassle, or improvements being up to the landlord.

"That's why we need the Government to plan a nationwide re-fit to stop all our homes leaking heat.
 
"Join Friends of the Earth's call for the Government to make sure everyone lives in a warm home - so you can save your energy for the bedroom."

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. You can watch the two-minute video on our website or on You Tube.
2. It stars Daniel Rigby, an award-winning stand-up comic who played Eric Morecombe in BBC TV drama Eric and Ernie, and Just William actor Lily James, who appeared alongside Billie Piper in ITV's Secret Diary of a Call Girl.
3. Hi-res images of the actors and stills from the video are available from the press office on request.
4. Watch Barack Obama explain why home insulation is sexy.
5. Friends of the Earth's Warm Homes Campaign is calling for the Government to lead a nationwide refit of heat-leaking British homes to make them easier and cheaper to heat. We need to slash carbon emissions from houses by at least 42 per cent this decade to help avoid dangerous climate change.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust