Energy efficient homes should be the norm, says UK Conservative Party

clipped from www.energyefficiencynews.com Dramatically improving the energy efficiency of existing housing stock in the UK is the most urgent challenge in tacking emissions from the building sector, according a new housing in its green paper from the Conservative Party. The green paper, Extending Opportunities: A Conservative Policy Paper on Housing, brings together previous statements from party leader David Cameron on his vision for a low carbon economy for the country and details what action the party would take if elected. “We want to use incentives to get people to the point where it becomes the norm to make cost-effective low carbon choices in their existing homes,” says the policy document. The paper outlines plans to give all householders access to £6500 worth of energy efficiency improvements for their homes. The costs would be recouped through energy bills over a period of up to 25 years – although homeowners would see a shorter payback period of reduced fuel consumption, says the report.